Amy Sedaris Bio
Amy Louise Sedaris (born March 29, 1961) is an American actress, comedian, and writer known for her roles in various television series and films. She gained popularity for her performance as Jerri Blank in the Comedy Central series ‘Strangers with Candy’ and has appeared in notable projects such as ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ and ‘BoJack Horseman’. Sedaris has also created and starred in the TruTV series ‘At Home with Amy Sedaris’, which showcases her unique comedic style and love for crafts and cooking.
Early Life and Background
Amy Sedaris was born in Endicott, New York, as the fourth of six children in a Greek Orthodox family. Her parents were Sharon Elizabeth (née Leonard), a homemaker, and Louis Harry “Lou” Sedaris, an IBM engineer. Sedaris’ father was born to immigrants from Greece, while her mother was Anglo-American. The family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, when Amy was four years old, where she grew up with her five siblings. She attended Jesse O. Sanderson High School and was a Girl Scout until graduation. As a child, Sedaris enjoyed playing dress-up and putting on plays for her family.
Path to Hollywood
Sedaris began her career in the late 1980s with Second City’s touring company, where she met Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert. She left Second City in 1993 and moved to New York City, where her first major television role was in the Comedy Central sketch series ‘Exit 57’. This led to her breakout role as Jerri Blank in ‘Strangers with Candy’, which she co-wrote. The series ran for three seasons and was later adapted into a film.
Amy Sedaris Career
Early Career (1980s–1990s)
Sedaris’s early career included performances with Second City and her role in ‘Exit 57’, which earned her a CableACE Award nomination. She gained recognition for her unique comedic style, which she showcased in various guest appearances on television shows.
Breakthrough (1999–2000)
Sedaris’s breakthrough came with ‘Strangers with Candy’, where she portrayed Jerri Blank, a middle-aged woman returning to high school. The show became a cult classic and solidified her place in the comedy world.
Notable Works and Milestones
Sedaris’s signature work includes ‘Strangers with Candy’, which she co-created, and her acclaimed role in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. She has also voiced characters in popular animated series like ‘BoJack Horseman’.
Amy Sedaris Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Amy Sedaris has received several nominations, including two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on ‘At Home with Amy Sedaris’.
Amy Sedaris Awards Won
While she has not won major awards, Sedaris’s contributions to comedy and television have been widely recognized and celebrated.
Amy Sedaris Family
Amy Sedaris is the fourth of six children in her family. Her brother, David Sedaris, is a well-known author and humorist.
Personal Life
Sedaris was in a long-term relationship with her comedy partner Paul Dinello from 1987 to 1995. They remain close friends, and Sedaris has expressed that she has never desired to marry or have children. She runs a cupcake and cheeseball business called Dusty Food Cupcakes from her home kitchen in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.
