Career Timeline of Maya Rudolph: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Maya Rudolph made an impact.

Maya Rudolph is a celebrated American actress and comedian, best known for her prominent role as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL) from 2000 to 2007. During her time on SNL, she showcased her comedic talents and became a household name. Concurrently, she expanded her acting career with supporting roles in films such as '50 First Dates', 'A Prairie Home Companion', and 'Idiocracy'. Rudolph's contributions have solidified her status as a versatile performer in both television and film comedy.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1995: Backing singer

From 1995 to 1999, prior to joining Saturday Night Live, Maya Rudolph was a backing singer.

1997: Small roles in 'Gattaca' and 'As Good as It Gets'

In 1997, Maya Rudolph had small parts in the films 'Gattaca' and 'As Good as It Gets'.

1999: Backing singer

From 1995 to 1999, prior to joining Saturday Night Live, Maya Rudolph was a backing singer.

1999: Joins The Groundlings

In 1999, Maya Rudolph was in the improv troupe the Groundlings, where she met future Saturday Night Live cast member Will Forte.

2000: Joins Saturday Night Live

In 2000, Maya Rudolph became a cast member on Saturday Night Live, a pivotal moment in her career.

2000: Small roles in 'Chuck & Buck' and 'Duets'

In 2000, Maya Rudolph had small parts in the films 'Chuck & Buck' and 'Duets'.

2000: Joins Saturday Night Live as featured player

In 2000, Maya Rudolph joined the cast of Saturday Night Live as a featured player for the final three episodes of the 1999-2000 season.

2003: Small role in 'Duplex'

In 2003, Maya Rudolph had a small part in the film 'Duplex'.

2004: Appearance in '50 First Dates'

In 2004, Maya Rudolph appeared in a supporting role in the film '50 First Dates'.

2004: Recorded track with Matt Sharp

In 2004, Maya Rudolph recorded a track with The Rentals frontman Matt Sharp, including a cover of Tegan and Sara's 'Not Tonight'.

2005: Costarred in 'Idiocracy'

In 2005, Maya Rudolph costarred with Luke Wilson in the Mike Judge sci-fi comedy 'Idiocracy'.

September 2006: Limited release of 'Idiocracy'

In September 2006, the film 'Idiocracy', in which Maya Rudolph costarred, was given a limited release after being shelved.

2006: Roles in 'A Prairie Home Companion' and 'Idiocracy'

In 2006, Maya Rudolph had supporting roles in the films 'A Prairie Home Companion' and 'Idiocracy'.

2007: Disney Film Enchanted

In 2007, Disney film Enchanted was released.

2007: Leaves Saturday Night Live

In 2007, Maya Rudolph concluded her tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

2010: Appears in 'Grown Ups'

In 2010, Maya Rudolph appeared in the film 'Grown Ups'.

2011: Appeared in Bridesmaids

In 2011, Maya Rudolph appeared in 'Bridesmaids' with her 'Saturday Night Live' colleague Kristen Wiig.

2011: Appears in 'Bridesmaids' and 'Up All Night'

In 2011, Maya Rudolph appeared in the film 'Bridesmaids' and the TV show 'Up All Night'.

2012: Co-starred in NBC sitcom Up All Night

From 2011 to 2012, Maya Rudolph co-starred in the NBC sitcom 'Up All Night', with Christina Applegate and Will Arnett.

2012: Continues role in 'Up All Night'

In 2012, Maya Rudolph continued her role in the NBC sitcom 'Up All Night'.

2013: Appears in 'Grown Ups 2', 'Turbo'

In 2013, Maya Rudolph appeared in 'Grown Ups 2' and voiced a role in 'Turbo'.

2013: Appeared in Grown Ups 2 and voiced Burn in Turbo

In 2013, Maya Rudolph appeared in 'Grown Ups 2', and voiced Burn in the DreamWorks Animation film 'Turbo'.

May 19, 2014: Variety show pilot aired

On May 19, 2014, Maya Rudolph's self-titled variety show television pilot aired on NBC.

2014: Appears in 'Inherent Vice', 'Big Hero 6'

In 2014, Maya Rudolph appeared in 'Inherent Vice' and voiced a role in 'Big Hero 6'.

2015: Appears in 'Sisters'

In 2015, Maya Rudolph appeared in the film 'Sisters'.

May 31, 2016: Maya & Marty series debuted

On May 31, 2016, the NBC variety series 'Maya & Marty', starring Maya Rudolph and Martin Short, debuted.

2016: Co-hosts 'Maya & Marty', appears in 'The Angry Birds Movie'

In 2016, Maya Rudolph co-hosted 'Maya & Marty' and voiced a role in 'The Angry Birds Movie'.

2017: Appears in 'The Emoji Movie'

In 2017, Maya Rudolph appeared in 'The Emoji Movie'.

2017: Roles in Big Mouth and Emoji Movie

In 2017, Maya Rudolph had various voice roles in the Netflix animated series 'Big Mouth' and voiced Smiler in the animated film 'The Emoji Movie'.

2017: Voiced Precious in The Nut Job 2

In 2017, Maya Rudolph voiced Precious in 'The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature'.

2017: Voices Connie in Big Mouth

Since 2017, Maya Rudolph has voiced Connie the Hormone Monstress in the animated sitcom 'Big Mouth', a role that has garnered her four Primetime Emmy Awards.

September 14, 2018: Forever premiered on Amazon Video

On September 14, 2018, Maya Rudolph's series, 'Forever', premiered on Amazon Video.

2018: The Good Place nomination

From 2018 to 2020, Maya Rudolph received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for playing a judge in the comedy series 'The Good Place'.

2018: Appears in 'Life of the Party'

In 2018, Maya Rudolph appeared in the film 'Life of the Party'.

2018: Appeared in advertisements

In 2018, Maya Rudolph performed in advertisements for Ruby Tuesday and Seventh Generation.

2019: Appeared in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

In 2019, Maya Rudolph appeared as the mother in 'The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part'.

2019: The Angry Birds Movie 2

In 2019, Maya Rudolph voiced in 'The Angry Birds Movie 2'.

2020: The Good Place nomination

From 2018 to 2020, Maya Rudolph received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for playing a judge in the comedy series 'The Good Place'.

2021: Voiced characters in The Mitchells vs. the Machines and Luca

In 2021, Maya Rudolph voiced Linda Mitchell in 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines' and Daniela Paguro in 'Luca'.

2021: Appears in 'Luca'

In 2021, Maya Rudolph voiced a role in 'Luca'.

July 2022: Starred in Loot on Apple TV+

In July 2022, Maya Rudolph starred in 'Loot', an Apple TV+ series.

2022: Stars in 'Loot' and 'Disenchanted'

In 2022, Maya Rudolph starred in the comedy series 'Loot' and 'Disenchanted'.

January 2023: Spokesperson for M&M's

In January 2023, Maya Rudolph was announced as the spokesperson for M&M's.

October 3, 2023: Separation from Animal Pictures

On October 3, 2023, Maya Rudolph reportedly separated amicably from Animal Pictures to produce independently.

2024: Portrays Kamala Harris on SNL through 2024 election

After Kamala Harris became the presumptive 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, Maya Rudolph agreed to portray Harris on SNL through the 2024 election, postponing pre-production on season 3 of her show 'Loot'.