Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a highly celebrated American actress and comedian, best known for her roles in iconic television shows like "Seinfeld," "Veep," and "The New Adventures of Old Christine." Her exceptional comedic timing and memorable characters have earned her numerous awards, including a record-breaking number of Primetime Emmy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards, solidifying her place as one of the most accomplished television performers of all time.
1908: Birth of Pierre Louis-Dreyfus
Pierre Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's paternal grandfather, was born in 1908.
1915: Death of Léopold Louis-Dreyfus
Léopold Louis-Dreyfus, the founder of the Louis Dreyfus Group and a distant relative of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, passed away in 1915.
1932: Birth of Gérard Louis-Dreyfus
Gérard Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's father, was born in 1932.
1935: Death of Alfred Dreyfus
Alfred Dreyfus, a distant relative of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, known for the infamous Dreyfus affair, died in 1935.
1946: Birth of Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus, a second cousin to Julia Louis-Dreyfus's father, was born in 1946.
January 13, 1961: Birth of Julia Louis-Dreyfus
On January 13, 1961, Julia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus was born in New York City.
1962: Parents' Divorce and Move to Washington, D.C.
In 1962, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's parents divorced. Subsequently, she moved to Washington, D.C. with her mother when she was four years old.
1979: Graduation from Holton-Arms School
Julia Louis-Dreyfus graduated from the all-girls Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland in 1979.
1982: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Joins Saturday Night Live
In 1982, Julia Louis-Dreyfus became a cast member on Saturday Night Live, marking the beginning of her successful career in television comedy.
1982: Joining Saturday Night Live
In 1982, Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, becoming the youngest female cast member in the program's history at the time.
1985: Departure from Saturday Night Live
After her time on "SNL," Julia Louis-Dreyfus transitioned to film and television roles.
1985: Meeting Larry David and Departure from SNL
During her final year on "SNL" in 1985, Julia Louis-Dreyfus met writer Larry David, who would later co-create "Seinfeld." Following this, she departed from "SNL."
1985: Departure from Saturday Night Live
In 1985, Julia Louis-Dreyfus departed from the cast of Saturday Night Live after three years.
1986: Film Appearances
In 1986, Julia Louis-Dreyfus showcased her versatility by appearing in Woody Allen's film "Hannah and Her Sisters."
1986: Film Appearances in "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Soul Man"
In 1986, Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in two films: Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Soul Man."
1987: Louis-Dreyfus Marries Brad Hall
Julia Louis-Dreyfus married comedian Brad Hall in 1987 after meeting him at Northwestern University.
1987: Role in "The Art of Being Nick" Pilot
Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in the NBC sitcom pilot "The Art of Being Nick" in 1987.
1988: Role in "Day by Day"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus landed a role in the NBC sitcom "Day by Day," which premiered in early 1988 and ran for two seasons.
1989: Appearance in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus further showcased her comedic talents in 1989 by starring in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" alongside Chevy Chase.
1989: Appearance in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus starred alongside fellow "SNL" alumnus Chevy Chase in the comedy film "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" in 1989.
1990: Debut on Seinfeld
Julia Louis-Dreyfus's career reached new heights in 1990 with her debut as Elaine Benes on the sitcom Seinfeld. This marked a significant turning point in her career.
1992: First Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1992, marking the beginning of her consistent recognition by the Television Academy.
1993: American Comedy Award Win
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her first American Comedy Award in 1993, recognizing her comedic talent.
1994: Golden Globe Award Win
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in a television series in 1994.
1995: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Wins Golden Globe Award for "Seinfeld"
In 1995, Julia Louis-Dreyfus received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film, recognizing her outstanding performance as Elaine Benes on "Seinfeld."
1995: Screen Actors Guild Award Win
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her first Screen Actors Guild Award in 1995, marking a significant achievement in her career.
1996: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Wins Primetime Emmy Award for "Seinfeld"
In 1996, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was honored with a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her iconic role as Elaine Benes on "Seinfeld."
1996: Primetime Emmy Award Win
In 1996, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
1997: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Starts Winning Streak of Screen Actors Guild Awards for "Seinfeld"
Starting in 1997, Julia Louis-Dreyfus began a string of Screen Actors Guild Award wins for her role in "Seinfeld."
1997: Two Screen Actors Guild Awards
Julia Louis-Dreyfus had a remarkable year in 1997, winning two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
1997: Film Appearances in "Fathers' Day" and "Deconstructing Harry"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in the films "Fathers' Day" and "Deconstructing Harry" in 1997.
1997: Roles in "Fathers' Day" and "Deconstructing Harry"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in two comedy films in 1997: "Fathers' Day" with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, and Woody Allen's "Deconstructing Harry."
1998: End of Seinfeld
After a nine-season run, the beloved sitcom Seinfeld, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, came to an end in 1998.
1998: Two Screen Actors Guild Awards
Continuing her success, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won two more Screen Actors Guild Awards in 1998.
1998: Voice Acting in A Bug's Life
In 1998, Julia Louis-Dreyfus lent her voice to the Pixar film, A Bug's Life.
1998: Voice Acting in "A Bug's Life"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus lent her voice to the animated film "A Bug's Life" in 1998.
1998: Seinfeld Finale and Film Appearances
The series finale of "Seinfeld" aired on May 14, 1998, marking the end of an era. The same year, Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in "Fathers' Day" and "Deconstructing Harry."
2000: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Supports Al Gore's Presidential Bid
In 2000, Julia Louis-Dreyfus showed her support for Al Gore's presidential campaign.
2001: Guest Appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm
Julia Louis-Dreyfus made several guest appearances as herself on Larry David's show Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2001, attempting to break the "Seinfeld curse".
February 2002: Premiere of Watching Ellie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus starred in the NBC sitcom, Watching Ellie, which premiered in February 2002. The show, created by her husband, Brad Hall, received mixed reviews despite a strong debut.
May 2003: Cancellation of Watching Ellie
After a format change and decline in viewership, NBC cancelled Watching Ellie in May 2003.
2004: Recurring Role on Arrested Development
From 2004 to 2005, Julia Louis-Dreyfus took on a recurring role as Maggie Lizer on the comedy series Arrested Development.
2005: Cast in The New Adventures of Old Christine
In 2005, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was cast in the CBS sitcom, The New Adventures of Old Christine, created by Kari Lizer.
2005: Cast in The New Adventures of Old Christine
In 2005, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was cast in the CBS sitcom, The New Adventures of Old Christine, created by Kari Lizer.
March 2006: Debut of The New Adventures of Old Christine
The New Adventures of Old Christine, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, premiered on CBS in March 2006 and became a ratings success.
May 2006: Hosting Saturday Night Live
In May 2006, Julia Louis-Dreyfus became the first female former cast member to host Saturday Night Live, reuniting with her Seinfeld co-stars in a parody of the "Seinfeld curse".
2006: Critical Acclaim and Emmy Award Win
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received significant praise for her performance in The New Adventures of Old Christine. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2006 and continued to receive numerous nominations and awards for her work on the show.
2006: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Wins Primetime Emmy Award for "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
In 2006, Julia Louis-Dreyfus earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
2006: Premiere of The New Adventures of Old Christine
Julia Louis-Dreyfus returned to television in 2006 with the premiere of her sitcom, The New Adventures of Old Christine, further solidifying her presence in the television industry.
March 17, 2007: Hosting Saturday Night Live
Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted Saturday Night Live on March 17, 2007, marking her second time hosting the show.
2007: Honorary Doctorate from Northwestern University
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received an honorary doctor of arts degree from Northwestern University in 2007.
2007: People's Choice Award Nominations
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received two People's Choice Award nominations in 2007, reflecting her resurgence in popularity due to the success of The New Adventures of Old Christine.
2008: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Supports Barack Obama's First Presidential Bid
Julia Louis-Dreyfus publicly supported Barack Obama in his first run for the presidency in 2008.
2008: Voice Role in The Simpsons
Julia Louis-Dreyfus reprised her role as Gloria in the 2008 episode "Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes" of The Simpsons.
2009: Seinfeld Reunion on Curb Your Enthusiasm
Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined the cast of Seinfeld for a four-episode reunion on Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2009, garnering significant media attention.
2009: Legacy of Laughter Award
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received the honorary Legacy of Laughter Award at the TV Land Awards in 2009.
2009: Death of Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Robert Louis-Dreyfus, a second cousin to Julia Louis-Dreyfus's father, passed away in 2009.
May 4, 2010: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received the 2,407th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 4, 2010, for her contributions to television.
May 18, 2010: Cancellation of Old Christine
CBS cancelled Old Christine on May 18, 2010, after five seasons.
October 2010: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Stars in Humorous Ad for Barbara Boxer's Senate Campaign
In October 2010, during the U.S. Senate election in California, Julia Louis-Dreyfus brought her comedic talent to support Barbara Boxer's campaign with a humorous ad focused on energy policy.
November 1, 2010: Women of SNL Special
Julia Louis-Dreyfus participated in the "Women of SNL" special, which aired on NBC on November 1, 2010.
2010: Conclusion of The New Adventures of Old Christine
In 2010, The New Adventures of Old Christine, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, concluded its run after five seasons.
2010: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.
June 2011: Filming of Picture Paris
Julia Louis-Dreyfus collaborated with her husband, Brad Hall, on their first short film, Picture Paris, in June 2011.
2011: Death of Pierre Louis-Dreyfus
Pierre Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's paternal grandfather, passed away in 2011.
2011: Veep's First Season Filmed in Baltimore
The first season of Veep was filmed in Baltimore in 2011.
2011: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Cast in Veep
In 2011, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was cast as U.S. Vice President Selina Meyer in the HBO satirical comedy series, Veep. She was also a producer for the show and prepared extensively by speaking with prominent political figures like Al Gore and various senators and staff.
January 29, 2012: Premiere of Picture Paris
Picture Paris, a short film starring and produced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and directed by her husband, Brad Hall, premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 29, 2012.
April 22, 2012: Veep Premieres to Critical Acclaim
On April 22, 2012, the first season of Veep, filmed in Baltimore, premiered to critical acclaim, with particular praise for Louis-Dreyfus's performance as Selina Meyer.
July 2012: Appearance in Web Therapy on Showtime
Julia Louis-Dreyfus's guest appearance as Fiona Wallice's sister on the web series Web Therapy was included when it transitioned to Showtime in July 2012.
December 17, 2012: Television Premiere of Picture Paris
Picture Paris debuted on HBO on December 17, 2012.
2012: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Begins Winning Streak of Primetime Emmy Awards for "Veep"
The year 2012 marked the beginning of Julia Louis-Dreyfus's impressive consecutive wins of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, all for her portrayal of Selina Meyer on "Veep."
2012: Premiere of Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus took on the role of Selina Meyer in the political satire comedy Veep, which premiered in 2012.
2012: Louis-Dreyfus Receives First Emmy Nomination for Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Veep in 2012.
2012: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Supports Barack Obama's Second Presidential Bid
Julia Louis-Dreyfus again demonstrated her support for Barack Obama during his second presidential campaign in 2012.
September 18, 2013: Enough Said and Planes Release
On September 18, 2013, Julia Louis-Dreyfus starred in the critically acclaimed film 'Enough Said', marking her debut as a lead actress in a full-length feature film. She also lent her voice to the animated film 'Planes', which was released on the same day.
2013: Lead Role in "Enough Said"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus took on a leading role in the film "Enough Said" in 2013.
2013: Louis-Dreyfus Wins First Critics' Choice Television Award for Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her first Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in Veep in 2013.
December 2014: Louis-Dreyfus Stars in Old Navy Commercials
Starting in December 2014, Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared in a series of television commercials for Old Navy.
2014: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Wins Screen Actors Guild Award for "Veep"
In 2014, Julia Louis-Dreyfus earned a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in "Veep."
2014: Louis-Dreyfus Wins Second Critics' Choice Television Award and First TCA Award for Veep
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her second Critics' Choice Television Award and her first Television Critics Association Award for her performance in Veep in 2014.
2014: Induction into Television Academy Hall of Fame
Julia Louis-Dreyfus's significant contributions to television were recognized in 2014 when she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
2015: Louis-Dreyfus Appears in Inside Amy Schumer
In 2015, Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared alongside Tina Fey and Patricia Arquette in the Comedy Central sketch series 'Inside Amy Schumer,' playing a version of herself offering advice on aging.
2015: Louis-Dreyfus Wins Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series as a producer for Veep's fourth season in 2015.
April 16, 2016: Louis-Dreyfus Hosts SNL, Reprises Elaine Benes
On April 16, 2016, Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time, and during the show, she reprised her iconic role as Elaine Benes from Seinfeld.
April 17, 2016: Hosting Saturday Night Live
Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time on April 17, 2016.
2016: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Honored with Crossover Talent Award
In 2016, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's versatility and talent were acknowledged with the Crossover Talent Award at the 4th Annual American Reality Television Awards.
2016: Louis-Dreyfus Breaks Emmy Win Record
In 2016, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Veep, surpassing the record previously held by Mary Tyler Moore and Candice Bergen.
2016: Death of Gérard Louis-Dreyfus
Gérard Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's father, passed away in 2016.
2016: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Announces Support for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention
During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Julia Louis-Dreyfus used her platform to express her support for Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.
2016: Recognition in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People
In 2016, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
September 28, 2017: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis
On September 28, 2017, Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, a discovery made just a day after her Primetime Emmy Award win for her role in "Veep."
2017: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Makes Emmy History
By 2017, Julia Louis-Dreyfus had secured her place in Emmy history, holding the record for most wins for the same role for her work on "Veep." She also tied with Cloris Leachman for the most acting Primetime Emmy Awards, with eight each.
2017: Louis-Dreyfus Ties Emmy Win Record
In 2017, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her eighth acting Emmy, tying with Cloris Leachman for most Emmys ever won by a performer.
2017: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Criticizes Trump's "Muslim Ban" at the Screen Actors Guild Awards
In 2017, while accepting an award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus used her speech to condemn President Donald Trump's executive order known as the "Muslim ban," labeling it as "un-American." She shared a personal connection, stating, "My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France."
August 2018: Louis-Dreyfus' Half-Sister, Emma, Passes Away
In August 2018, Julia Louis-Dreyfus' paternal half-sister, Emma, sadly passed away.
October 18, 2018: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Announces She is Cancer-Free
On October 18, 2018, Julia Louis-Dreyfus announced on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that she was cancer-free.
2018: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
In 2018, Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined the ranks of comedic legends by receiving the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, marking her significant contributions to the world of comedy.
2018: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Julia Louis-Dreyfus received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2018.
2019: Conclusion of Veep
After seven seasons, the critically acclaimed political satire comedy Veep, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, aired its final episode in 2019.
2019: Louis-Dreyfus Receives Final Emmy Nomination for Veep
In 2019, Julia Louis-Dreyfus received her seventh Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Veep.
January 2020: Louis-Dreyfus Signs with Apple TV+
Julia Louis-Dreyfus signed a multi-year deal with Apple TV+ in January 2020 to develop and star in new projects for the streaming platform.
March 6, 2020: Onward Release
On March 6, 2020, Pixar's animated film 'Onward', featuring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the voice of a suburban elf mother, was released in theaters.
2020: Lead Role in "Downhill"
In 2020, Julia Louis-Dreyfus starred in the film "Downhill."
2020: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Emcees Final Night of the Democratic National Convention, Endorsing Joe Biden
Taking on a prominent role at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Julia Louis-Dreyfus emceed the final night, publicly endorsing Joe Biden for president.
2021: Louis-Dreyfus Joins the MCU in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the Disney+ series 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' in 2021.
2021: Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2021, taking on the role of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
2021: National Medal of Arts Recipient
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2021.
2022: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Endorses Karen Bass for Los Angeles Mayor
In 2022, Julia Louis-Dreyfus showed her support for Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election through various social media posts.
2022: Louis-Dreyfus Appears in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction
Julia Louis-Dreyfus reprised her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' in 2022. That same year she was a guest on David Letterman's Netflix show 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction'.
2023: Louis-Dreyfus Launches Podcast Wiser Than Me
In 2023, Julia Louis-Dreyfus became the host of the podcast 'Wiser Than Me,' in which she interviews women older than herself about their life experiences and wisdom. The podcast, produced by Lemonada Media, was named Apple's Best Podcast of the Year in 2023.
2023: Roles in "You People" and "You Hurt My Feelings"
In 2023, Julia Louis-Dreyfus had notable roles in two films: "You People," where she had a supporting role, and "You Hurt My Feelings," in which she played a leading role.
2023: Louis-Dreyfus Stars in You Hurt My Feelings, You People, and Tuesday
In 2023, Julia Louis-Dreyfus starred in and produced the A24 comedy 'You Hurt My Feelings' which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. She also had roles in the Netflix romantic comedy 'You People' and the A24 film 'Tuesday', which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival.
2023: Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Podcast "Wiser Than Me" Wins Apple's Best Podcast of the Year
In 2023, the podcast "Wiser Than Me," hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, received Apple's coveted Best Podcast of the Year award.
2025: Louis-Dreyfus to Appear in Thunderbolts
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is set to appear as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the upcoming Marvel film 'Thunderbolts,' scheduled for release in 2025.