Career Timeline of Amy Poehler: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Amy Poehler made an impact.

Amy Poehler is a highly acclaimed American actress and comedian recognized for her work in sketch comedy, sitcoms, and films. She has received numerous awards, including a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe. In 2011, she was named one of Time's 100 most influential people. Poehler has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring her contributions to comedy. She has also been nominated for a Peabody Award and a Grammy Award, highlighting her broad impact across various forms of entertainment.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1991: Upright Citizens Brigade Forms

In 1991, the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) formed as a sketch and improv group in Chicago.

1995: Joins Upright Citizens Brigade

In 1995, Amy Poehler joined the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), marking an important step in her early career in improvisational theatre.

1996: UCB Moves to New York City

In 1996, Amy Poehler and a core group of Upright Citizens Brigade members moved to New York City.

1998: Comedy Central Debuts UCB Series

In 1998, Comedy Central debuted the Upright Citizens Brigade's half-hour sketch-comedy series, marking a significant milestone for the group.

1998: UCB Series on Comedy Central

In 1998, the Upright Citizens Brigade's act became a half-hour sketch-comedy series on Comedy Central, marking a significant milestone for the comedy group and Poehler's career.

1999: Provides Voice for Deer Avenger 2 and small film role

In 1999, Amy Poehler provided a voice for the video game Deer Avenger 2: Deer in the City and had a small role in the film Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.

2000: Appears on Yo La Tengo Cover

In 2000, Amy Poehler appeared on the cover of the single "You Can Have It All" by American indie rock band Yo La Tengo.

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2000: Comedy Central Cancels UCB Program

In the summer of 2000, Comedy Central canceled the Upright Citizens Brigade program after its third season.

2001: Joins Saturday Night Live

In 2001, Amy Poehler joined the cast of NBC's sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, marking a major turning point in her career.

2001: Joins SNL Cast

In 2001, Amy Poehler joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) at the start of the 2001-2002 season and made her debut in the first episode produced after the 9/11 attacks.

2001: Cast in Wet Hot American Summer

In 2001, Amy Poehler was cast in the film Wet Hot American Summer, her first film with David Wain.

2002: Promoted to Full SNL Cast Member

In 2002, Amy Poehler was promoted from featured player to full cast member in her first season on Saturday Night Live (SNL).

2004: Acts in Mean Girls

In 2004, Amy Poehler acted in the film Mean Girls, marking one of her early collaborations with Tina Fey.

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2004: Co-Anchors Weekend Update with Tina Fey

In 2004, Amy Poehler began co-anchoring Weekend Update with Tina Fey, replacing Jimmy Fallon, marking the first team of female co-anchors for the SNL segment.

2004: Becomes Weekend Update Co-Anchor

In 2004, Amy Poehler started serving as a Weekend Update co-anchor on Saturday Night Live, alongside Tina Fey, becoming the first female co-anchor team.

2005: Continues Co-Anchoring Weekend Update

In 2005, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey continued to co-anchor Weekend Update. Poehler, Fey, and Maya Rudolph were among the show's biggest stars that season and contributed to a shift in the show to featuring more female driven sketches.

2006: Acts in Southland Tales and Tenacious D

In 2006, Amy Poehler acted in the live-action films Southland Tales and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.

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2006: Seth Meyers Joins Weekend Update

In 2006, Tina Fey left Weekend Update and Seth Meyers joined Amy Poehler at the anchor desk.

2007: Acts in Blades of Glory, Mr. Woodcock, and Voices Shrek the Third

In 2007, Amy Poehler acted in the live-action films Blades of Glory and Mr. Woodcock, and provided voice acting in Shrek the Third.

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2007: Voices Shrek the Third

In 2007, Amy Poehler voiced a role for the animated film Shrek the Third.

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April 25, 2008: Baby Mama Release

On April 25, 2008, the film Baby Mama, starring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, opened at number one at the box office in its opening weekend.

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July 2008: Negotiations to Star in New NBC Series

In July 2008, Variety reported that Amy Poehler was in final negotiations to star in a new untitled series from Greg Daniels and Michael Schur.

July 21, 2008: NBC Announces Parks and Recreation

On July 21, 2008, NBC announced Amy Poehler's new series, Parks and Recreation, clarifying that it would not be a direct spin-off of The Office.

2008: Acts in Baby Mama

In 2008, Amy Poehler acted with Tina Fey in the feature film Baby Mama.

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2008: Leaves Weekend Update

In 2008, Amy Poehler ended her run as co-anchor on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update.

2008: Appears in SNL Presidential Bash

In 2008, after giving birth, Amy Poehler appeared during a pre-taped "SNL Presidential Bash '08" prime time special.

2008: SNL Sketch Becomes Viral Video

In 2008, an SNL premiere sketch featuring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey became the biggest viral video of the year.

April 9, 2009: Parks and Recreation Premieres

On April 9, 2009, Parks and Recreation premiered on NBC, starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope.

April 2009: SNL Airs Best Of Special

In April 2009, Saturday Night Live aired a special, "The Best of Amy Poehler".

September 2009: Appears in Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday

In September 2009, Amy Poehler appeared in two episodes of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday with Seth Meyers.

2009: Acts in Spring Breakdown and Voices Alvin and the Chipmunks

In 2009, Amy Poehler acted in the live-action film Spring Breakdown and voiced roles in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and Monsters vs. Aliens.

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2009: Stars in Parks and Recreation

In 2009, Amy Poehler began producing and starring as Leslie Knope in the sitcom Parks and Recreation.

2009: Voices Monsters vs. Aliens

In 2009, Amy Poehler voiced a role in the animated film Monsters vs. Aliens.

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May 8, 2010: Appears in SNL Mother's Day Episode

On May 8, 2010, Amy Poehler returned to SNL along with other past female cast members for a special Mother's Day episode hosted by Betty White.

2011: UCB Expansion

By 2011, the Upright Citizens Brigade had two theaters in New York and one in Los Angeles, with 8,000 students taking classes per year, reflecting its growth and influence.

2011: Returns for Weekend Update Appearance

In 2011, Amy Poehler returned sporadically for appearances on Weekend Update with Seth Meyers when Jimmy Fallon hosted.

2011: Included on Time's "100 most influential people in the world"

In 2011, Amy Poehler was included on Time's list of the "100 most influential people in the world". She also delivered the Class Day address to Harvard University's class of 2011.

2012: Collaboration with National Domestic Workers Alliance

In 2012, Amy Poehler collaborated with the National Domestic Workers Alliance to film a public service announcement (PSA) aimed at raising awareness for the proposed California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.

2012: Returns for Weekend Update Appearance

In 2012, Amy Poehler returned sporadically for appearances on Weekend Update with Seth Meyers when Maya Rudolph hosted.

2012: Critics' Choice Award

In 2012, Amy Poehler won a Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

2013: Co-hosts Golden Globe Awards

In 2013, Amy Poehler co-hosted the Golden Globe Awards with Tina Fey.

2013: Support for California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights and Work with Worldwide Orphans Foundation

In 2013, the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, which Poehler supported, was signed into law. Also in 2013, Poehler traveled to Haiti as a celebrity ambassador for the Worldwide Orphans Foundation.

October 28, 2014: Publication of "Yes Please"

On October 28, 2014, Amy Poehler's memoir, "Yes Please", was published, debuting at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list. In the book, Poehler discusses topics such as body image and parenthood.

Yes Please

Check it on Amazon

2014: Co-hosts Golden Globe Awards

In 2014, Amy Poehler co-hosted the Golden Globe Awards with Tina Fey for the second time.

2014: Writes Yes Please

In 2014, Amy Poehler wrote the comedic book Yes Please and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.

Yes Please

Check it on Amazon

2015: Acts in Sisters and Inside Out

In 2015, Amy Poehler acted with Tina Fey in Sisters, and voiced a role for Inside Out.

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2015: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

In 2015, Amy Poehler received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to the field of comedy, marking a significant milestone in her career.

2015: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2015, Amy Poehler received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of her contributions to television.

2015: Parks and Recreation Ends

In 2015, Amy Poehler's sitcom Parks and Recreation ended after running since 2009.

2015: Returns to Anchor Weekend Update

In 2015, during the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special, Amy Poehler returned to anchor Weekend Update with Tina Fey and Jane Curtin, and later co-hosted an episode with Tina Fey during season 41.