Ana Gasteyer

Early life

Gasteyer was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Mariana (née Roumell), an artist, and Phil Gasteyer, a lobbyist who later became the mayor of Corrales, New Mexico. Gasteyer grew up on Capitol Hill, three blocks from the Capitol. Her maternal grandparents were Romanian and Greek. As a child, Gasteyer was friends with Amy Carter, daughter of then-president Jimmy Carter, whom she bonded with through the violin. She has spoken of how she spent the night at the White House as a child, watched Star Wars with the Sadat family, and saw President Carter "laughing hysterically" as he watched Dan Aykroyd portray him on SNL.

She graduated from Sidwell Friends School. She enrolled as a music major at Northwestern University, and graduated from Northwestern University School of Communication in 1989.

Career

Gasteyer developed comedy experience with the Los Angeles improv – sketch comedy group The Groundlings. She played small roles on Seinfeld (as a doomed customer of The Soup Nazi) as well as on the shows Party of Five, Frasier, Hope & Gloria, and NYPD Blue. In 1996, she joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. Among her most popular characters on the show were high school music teacher Bobbie Mohan-Culp; Margaret Jo McCullen, the National Public Radio host of Delicious Dish; folk singer Cinder Calhoun who sang feminist songs at Lilith Fair; and her impressions of Martha Stewart and Celine Dion. In 2000, she and Chris Parnell auditioned to succeed Colin Quinn as co-anchors of the news parody segment Weekend Update, but the positions went to Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon.

After six seasons, Gasteyer left SNL in 2002. Subsequently, she appeared in various television programs, films and stage productions. In 2004, Gasteyer played the mother of the main character Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) in the feature film Mean Girls, written by SNL castmate Tina Fey. The film also featured other former SNL castmates, including Fey, Tim Meadows, and Amy Poehler. Gasteyer appeared in the 2005 Showtime musical film Reefer Madness as Mae, the doomed girlfriend of Jack and owner of the Reefer Den.

Gasteyer starred in a revival of The Threepenny Opera on Broadway as Mrs. Peachum, along with Jim Dale, Alan Cumming, and Cyndi Lauper. The production ran from March 24 through June 25, 2006.

On June 24, 2005, Gasteyer originated the role of Elphaba in the Chicago sit-down production of the musical Wicked, alongside Kate Reinders as Glinda. The production opened July 13, 2005. Gasteyer was nominated for a Jefferson Award for her performance. She played her final performance on January 22, 2006, replaced by her standby Kristy Cates. She later reprised the role in the Broadway production from October 10, 2006, through January 7, 2007, replacing Eden Espinosa.

On April 12, 2007, the media announced that Gasteyer had joined the cast of the then-new musical Writing Arthur for the 2007 New Works Festival for TheatreWorks in California, which ran from April 14 to 22. Gasteyer performed in Chicago in the Stephen Sondheim musical Passion at Chicago Shakespeare Theater from October 2, 2007, through November 11, 2007.

She was originally cast as Gloria in the 2008 Encores! Summer Series production of Damn Yankees, but due to injury during rehearsals, she was replaced by Megan Lawrence. Gasteyer took part in the reading of the Broadway musical version of The First Wives Club in January 2009.

She starred as Kitty Dean in the Broadway play The Royal Family which began performances at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on September 15, 2009, and officially opened on October 8, 2009. The show concluded its run on December 13, 2009. Gasteyer also starred as Frisco Kate Fothergill in the City Centers Encores! production of Girl Crazy, running from November 19 to 22, 2009.

She returned to Saturday Night Live for a special Mother's Day episode on May 8, 2010, and for another Mother's Day episode on May 11, 2012.

Gasteyer appeared in season eight of Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David's girlfriend.

From 2011 to 2014, Gasteyer co-starred as Sheila Shay on the ABC comedy series Suburgatory, and, as of March 2013, she was a spokeswoman for the Weight Watchers diet plan. Gasteyer has been a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2021.

In 2014, taking advantage of her training as a singer, Gasteyer recorded and released I'm Hip, an album of jazz standards including "One Mint Julep". In 2015, she played Mimi Schwinn in the New York City Center Encores! Off-Broadway revival of the musical A New Brain, also appearing on the cast recording.

From 2016 to 2017, Gasteyer had a starring role on TBS's cult hit People of Earth as the leader of an alien abductee support group.

In October 2019, she released the holiday album Sugar & Booze which was later accompanied by an Audible Original comedy piece titled Holiday Greetings from Sugar and Booze, featuring Gasteyer along with Maya Rudolph, Oscar Nunez, and Patti LuPone. Gasteyer later appeared as a contestant on the second season of The Masked Singer as "Tree".

In February 2020, it was announced that Gasteyer will play Katherine Hastings in the NBC comedy pilot American Auto, written by Justin Spitzer. The show's production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and skipped the step to premiere in the 2021–2022 broadcast season. In September and October 2020, she voiced a red panda named Nut in an adult animated series titled Magical Girl Friendship Squad.

In 2024, Gasteyer starred as Queen Aggravain alongside Sutton Foster, Will Chase, Brooks Ashmanskas, Daniel Breaker, and Michael Urie in a Broadway revival of Once Upon a Mattress. The Broadway production ran from July through November 2024 at the Hudson Theatre. It played 128 performances. The show subsequently played a limited run in Los Angeles with the Center Theatre Group following its Broadway closing.

Personal life

Gasteyer married her husband, Charlie McKittrick, in 1996. They live in Brooklyn, New York with their two children.

''Saturday Night Live'' characters

Original characters

• Bobbie Mohan-Culp, the operatic-voiced high school music teacher (with Will Ferrell)
• Margaret Jo McCullen, co-host of the NPR radio show Delicious Dish (with Molly Shannon)
• Gemini's Twin singer Jonette (with Maya Rudolph)
• Cinder Calhoun, a politically correct Lilith Fair singer
• Fast-talking MTV VJ Kincaid
• Daytime talk show hostess of Pretty Living, Gayle Gleeson

Celebrity impressions

• Martha Stewart
• Céline Dion (on The Celine Dion Show)
• Katherine Harris
• Joy Behar
• Joan Rivers
• Sally Jesse Raphael
• Elizabeth Dole
• Kathy Griffin
• Carrie Donovan (Vogue style editor featured in the Old Navy commercials)
• Bea Arthur
• Barbra Streisand (auditioning for Star Wars)
• Helen Thomas
• Hillary Clinton
• Mia Farrow
• Victoria Beckham
• Geri Halliwell
• Christina Aguilera
• Laura Schlessinger
• Debbie Matenopoulos
• Elizabeth Hurley
• Lynda Lopez
• Lisa Kudrow (as Phoebe Buffay on Friends)
• Jewel
• Cokie Roberts
• Madonna
• Andie MacDowell
• Nancy Grace
• Ann B. Davis
• Cynthia Nixon (as Miranda Hobbes on Sex and the City)
• Glenn Close
• Renee O'Connor (as Gabrielle on Xena: Warrior Princess)
• Darva Conger
• Amelia Earhart
• Christie Whitman
• Diane Sawyer
• Jane Fonda
• Theresa Saldana
• Jo Anne Worley
• Susan McDougal
• Allison Janney (as C. J. Cregg on The West Wing)
• Betty Ford
• Jamie Gangel
• Lara Flynn Boyle (as Helen Gamble on The Practice)
• Anne Heche
• Kathryn Beaumont

Acting credits

Film

Television

Theatre

Web

Discography

• I'm Hip (2014)
• Sugar & Booze (2019)

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Moore, David R.. (2005). "The Address Directory of Celebrities in Entertainment, Sports, Business & Politics". Americana Group Publishing.
2. "San Francisco Symphony - Ana Gasteyer".
3. "Best Bets, Nov. 21, 2014".
4. Ohnuma, Keiko. (February 21, 2009). "Featured Artist: Mariana Roumell-Gasteyer". Sandoval Signpost.
5. (January 12, 2022). "Ana Gasteyer Plays a Car Company CEO Who Doesn't Know How to Drive in American Auto". [[YouTube]].
6. (March 20, 2012). "Ana Gasteyer Returns to Her Hometown of Washington for Some Politicking". Washingtonian (DC).
7. (March 12, 2012). "Ana Gasteyer is latest celeb to back D.C. Council campaign". Washington Post.
8. Rogers, M.(Host), Yang, B.(Host).Gasteyer, A. (Guest). (2024, November 30). Clowns w/ Ana Gasteyer [Audio podcast episode]. In Clowns w/ Ana Gasteyer. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clowns-w-ana-gasteyer/id1092361338?i=1000677614512
9. Evans, Bradford. (October 27, 2011). "The Lost Weekend Update Anchors".
10. (November 30, 2005). "Ana Gasteyer Joins Threepenny Opera Alongside Dale, Cumming, Falco and McKay".
11. (June 20, 2006). "The Threepenny Opera Begins Final Performance Week, 6/20".
12. Diamond, Robert. (July 13, 2005). "Q&A with Ana Gasteyer".
13. Gans, Andrew. (August 31, 2006). "Green Again! Ana Gasteyer to Join Broadway's ''Wicked'' in October".
14. Jones, Kenneth. (October 2, 2007). "Brazier, Gasteyer, Voytko Are Passion's Trio in Chicago, Oct. 2-Nov. 11".
15. Gans, Andrew. (June 18, 2008). "Lawrence Replaces Gasteyer in Encores! ''Damn Yankees''".
16. Jones, Kenneth. (January 27, 2009). "Lenox, Carmello, Gasteyer, Oscar, Dossett, Harris and More Sing ''First Wives Club'' in NYC".
17. Gans, Andrew. (July 19, 2009). "Ana Gasteyer Joins Cast of Broadway's ''Royal Family''".
18. Jones, Kenneth. (December 13, 2009). "''Royal Family'' Ends Its Broadway Reign Dec. 13".
19. Hetrick, Adam. (October 29, 2009). "Gasteyer, Knight, Kudisch, Diamantopoulos and Newton Will Be ''Girl Crazy'' at Encores!".
20. Piane, Charlie. (May 13, 2011). "STAGE TUBE: New Betty White SNL Promo!".
21. Blickley, Leigh. (June 22, 2016). "Ana Gasteyer On The Return Of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'".
22. Newman, Andrew Adam. (March 27, 2013). "Twitter Posts Lead Weight Watchers Online to a New Spokeswoman". The New York Times.
23. [https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2021/11/09/disney-reveals-full-celebrity-narrator-lineup-epcot-candlelight-processional ''MyNews13.Com'' Gasteyer to Narrate Candlelight] accessed 08-20-2023
24. (October 4, 2014). "Ana Gasteyer Says 'I'm Hip' With New Album".
25. Blank, Matthew. (June 24, 2015). "Cue & A: ''A New Brain'' Star Ana Gasteyer on ''Hamilton'' and Elphaba vs. Fosca".
26. Bradley, Laura. (October 31, 2016). "Ana Gasteyer on ''People of Earth'', Aliens, and Wanting to Believe".
27. Lenker, Maureen Lee. (October 11, 2019). "Exclusive: Listen to Ana Gasteyer and Maya Rudolph's cheeky Christmas song 'Secret Santa'".
28. Clement, Olivia. (October 28, 2019). "An Exclusive Clip of Audible Original ''Holiday Greetings'' with Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, and Patti Lupone".
29. (February 24, 2020). "Ana Gasteyer To Star In Justin Spitzer's NBC Comedy Pilot 'American Auto'". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
30. Otterson, Joe. (January 12, 2021). "NBC Orders Comedies 'Grand Crew,' 'American Auto,' Drama 'La Brea' for 2021-2022 Season".
31. Smith, Katherine Snow. (November 3, 2020). "Remember the Florida recount in 2000? Here's an update on some of the players".
32. Petski, Denise. (August 20, 2020). "'Magical Girl Friendship Squad' & 'Wild Life' Get Premiere Dates On Syfy's TZGZ Adult Animation Block".
33. Evans, Greg. [https://deadline.com/2024/05/once-upon-a-mattress-sutton-foster-broadway-1235920482/ 'Once Upon A Mattress' Starring Sutton Foster Sets Broadway Run, L.A. Engagement To Follow], ''Deadline Hollywood'', May 17, 2024
34. Culwell-Block, Logan. (July 8, 2024). "Ana Gasteyer Will Rule Over ''Once Upon a Mattress''". Playbill.
35. (December 10, 2021). "Ana Gasteyer Reacts To Her 'Mean Girls' Co-Star Lindsay Lohan's Engagement: 'I'm A Fan'".
36. (July 24, 2009). "Ana Gasteyer Gets Lost in Motherhood". [[People (magazine).
37. (October 20, 2016). "Ana Gasteyer on SNL Memories, Annie Oakley, and Her Chic Bedroom Renovation".
38. Garcia, Thania. (2025-02-15). "Will Ferrell and Ana Gasteyer Bring Back The Culps to Sing ‘Not Like Us’ and Roast Kendrick Lamar-Drake Beef at ‘SNL50’: ‘Maybe You Two Can Hug It Out’".
39. (2011-11-02). "Ana Gasteyer Talks Mad Men, Martha Stewart, and Letting It Rip".
40. Schneider, Michael. (2002-08-21). "Gasteyer ends ‘SNL’ gig".
41. "Live from New York".
42. Wild, David. (1997-11-27). "Looking for the Heart of 'Saturday Night Live'".
43. Wright, Megh. (2011-11-15). "Saturday Night’s Children: Ana Gasteyer (1996-2002)".
44. Paiella, Gabriella. (2025-01-29). "Saturday Night Live's Ana Gasteyer on How She Cooked Up Her Legendary Martha Stewart Impression on the Fly, Writing With Will Ferrell, and Why ‘SNL’ Survives".
45. "March 28: Star Of SNL & Theatre Ana Gasteyer Performs On The Broadway @ NOCCA Series – NOCCA Foundation".
46. McGee, Ryan. (2019-08-22). "20 Most Savage 'SNL' Political Impersonations".
47. (2021-10-19). "'The View': Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg Lament Being Played by Men on 'SNL'".
48. Turchiano, Danielle. (2018-01-19). "Ana Gasteyer on Moving From the Groundlings Troupe to ‘Saturday Night Live’".
49. Marr, Madeleine. (2008-10-14). "Those wild and crazy ‘SNL' gals!".
50. Marcus, Jocelyn. "SNL actress Gasteyer talks comedy, Martha Stewart, feminism".
51. "Video: TV Land Releases New Behind-the-Scenes Featurette from Upcoming Darren Star Series "Younger"".
52. (March 17, 2015). "Find Out Which of Your TV Favorites Are Joining Hilary Duff's New Show!".
53. "Ana Gasteyer (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
54. (February 9, 2016). "'The Lion Guard' Sneak Peek: See Ana Gasteyer's Day as a Jackal".
55. "Happy 55th Birthday to Ana Gasteyer, the voice of Reirei! We LOVE how you make this clever and cunning jackal matriach come alive in such a wonderful way! 🎉🎈🎊🎂🎁🐺".
56. "Ana Gasteyer".
57. "Ana Gasteyer Broadway and Theatre Credits".
58. (November 7, 2005). "Chicago's Jeff Awards Handed Out Nov. 7; Wicked Among Nominees".
59. (August 25, 2008). "Gasteyer, Griffin, Ivey, Letts and Smith Among 2008 Jefferson Award Nominees".
60. (November 18, 2025). "Children's & Family Emmy Nominations Revealed – Full List".