Kristen Wiig: A Journey From Comedy To Stardom

(1973-)

Who Is Kristen Wiig?

Kristen Wiig is an American actress and comedian who gained widespread notoriety after her debut on Saturday Night Live in 2005. Following her television success, she transitioned to film, making her debut in the 2007 comedy Knocked Up. Her impressive performances continued in films like Adventureland, Extract, Whip It, and MacGruber. Wiig's breakout role came with the Oscar-nominated film Bridesmaids, which led to her departure from SNL in 2012 and a subsequent series of successful film roles, including The Skeleton Twins and the female reboot of Ghostbusters.

Early Life

Kristen Carroll Wiig was born on August 22, 1973, in Canandaigua, New York. At the age of three, her family relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and eventually settled in Rochester, New York. After her parents' divorce when she was nine, Wiig lived with her mother and her older brother, Erik, who has a mental disability.

Even as a child, Wiig exhibited a unique sense of humor. She has shared that she would carry around her father's empty guitar case to make others believe she played the guitar, stuffing it with Flintstones vitamins for energy. Despite her comedic inclinations, she did not embrace performing until much later in life. During her time at Brighton High School, she was deathly afraid of public speaking, which greatly impacted her early experiences.

Wiig attended the University of Arizona as an art student, where she finally enrolled in her first acting class. She recalled feeling terrified but was encouraged by her teacher to continue pursuing acting, which ultimately helped her overcome her fears.

Pursuing Acting Dream

Wiig's journey into acting took a pivotal turn when she worked at a plastic surgery clinic, tasked with creating drawings of clients' post-surgery appearances. The night before starting, she reflected on her life direction and declared, "I would move to L.A. Just try to act." The next day, she packed her belongings and set off for Los Angeles, despite feeling anxious about the change.

Upon her arrival in Los Angeles, Wiig began working at Anthropologie, all the while juggling various odd jobs. These included catering for Hollywood events, babysitting, selling peaches at a farmer's market, and even selling hot dogs at the mall. This diverse range of experiences contributed to her growth both personally and professionally.

Wiig's dissatisfaction with traditional acting classes led her to the Groundlings, a renowned improv troupe. Her experience there was transformative, as she later expressed, "That place changed my life." This marked the beginning of a successful career in comedy.

'Saturday Night Live'

Wiig's talent soon caught the attention of SNL producers, and she was invited to audition. She impressed the casting team and was hired midway through the show's 31st season, making the big move from Los Angeles to New York City within a week.

Wiig made her SNL debut on November 12, 2005. Her memorable characters, including Penelope and Gilly, quickly became fan favorites. In just two years, she gained a reputation as one of the hardest-working comedians on the show, participating in more sketches than any other cast member. Following Amy Poehler's departure in 2008, Wiig became the most senior female cast member on the program.

Her impressive work on SNL garnered her an Emmy nomination in 2009, and she was recognized by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 25 Funniest Actresses in Hollywood. Wiig's philosophy on comedy reflects her genuine approach: "It's a mystery to me what makes people laugh; I just try to be as real as possible."

Films

'Knocked Up,' 'Adventureland,' 'MacGruber'

Wiig's success on SNL opened doors to her film career, starting with a memorable role in Knocked Up (2007) as a passive-aggressive television executive. She continued to build her filmography with acclaimed projects like Adventureland, Extract, Whip It, and MacGruber, a film based on a SNL sketch.

'Despicable Me,' 'Bridesmaids'

Wiig's film career flourished with high-profile comedies like Despicable Me and Bridesmaids, both released in 2011. Bridesmaids was a critical and commercial success, earning Wiig nominations for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. In 2012, she bid an emotional farewell to SNL as she filmed her final episode.

'The Skeleton Twins,' 'The Martian'

After the massive success of Bridesmaids, Wiig shifted her focus to smaller, character-driven comedy-drama films. She starred alongside her former SNL co-star Bill Hader in The Skeleton Twins (2014), and appeared in Welcome to Me and The Diary of a Teenage Girl. Her talent was recognized again with an Emmy nomination for the comedy miniseries The Spoils of Babylon, and she returned to the big screen with a role in The Martian (2015).

'Ghostbusters,' 'Wonder Woman 1984,' 'Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar'

Wiig continued to thrive in the film industry, providing voice work for sequels of Despicable Me and How to Train Your Dragon. In 2016, she starred in the all-female