Joining NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” (1975-) in its 31st season, comic performer Kristen Wiig was part of an energizing new “freshman” class of new cast members, including Bill Hader, Andy Samberg and Jason Sudeikis.
Wiig was born in Rochester, New York, and graduated from Brighton High School in 1991. She performed as part of the renowned Groundlings comedy troup in Los Angeles, which was also the stomping grounds of SNL alums such as Laraine Newman, Jon Lovitz and Will Ferrell. In 2003, she landed a role on Spike TV’s “The Joe Schmo Show,” playing the part of marriage counselor Patricia Lane, or “Dr. Pat the Quack.” Wiig also had bit parts on ABC’s “The Drew Carey Show” and the short-lived “I’m With Her” in 2004. She also competed on “World Cup of Comedy” that same year. She also had bit parts in indie films such as “Life, Death & Mini-Golf,” and “June,” also in 2004. She was set to appear in the NBC comedy pilot “Thick and Thin,” scheduled to debut in 2006, along with SNL co-star Chris Parnell.
In her 2005 debut on “SNL,” Wiig was an instant water cooler hit with memorable impressions of Judy Garland, Drew Barrymore and Megan Mullaly.