Maya Rudolph, an American actress and comedian, was born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Los Angeles. Her parents are singer Minnie Riperton and composer Richard Rudolph. In 2000, she joined the cast of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). While on SNL, she also appeared in supporting roles in the films 50 First Dates (2004), A Prairie Home Companion (2006), and Idiocracy (2006).
July 27, 1972: Maya Rudolph is Born
Maya Rudolph was born on this day in Gainesville, Florida.
July 12, 1979: Death of Maya Rudolph's Mother
Maya Rudolph's mother, singer Minnie Riperton, died of breast cancer at the age of 31.
1990: Graduated from Crossroads School
Maya Rudolph graduated from Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California.
1995: Rudolph Starts as Backing Singer for The Rentals
Maya Rudolph began her musical career as a backing singer for the band The Rentals.
1995: Graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz
Maya Rudolph graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in photography from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
1997: Appeared in Gattaca and As Good as It Gets
Maya Rudolph had small parts in the films Gattaca and As Good as It Gets.
1999: Rudolph Ends Her Time as Backing Singer for The Rentals
Maya Rudolph concluded her role as a backing singer for the band The Rentals after four years.
1999: Joined the Groundlings
Maya Rudolph joined the improv troupe the Groundlings where she met her future Saturday Night Live co-star Will Forte.
2000: Appeared in Chuck & Buck and Duets
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movies Chuck & Buck and Duets. She was also the Music Supervisor for Duets.
2000: Became a Featured Player on SNL
Maya Rudolph became a featured player on Saturday Night Live for the final three episodes of the 1999-2000 season.
2000: Joins Saturday Night Live
Maya Rudolph joined the cast of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL).
2001: Rudolph Begins Relationship with Paul Thomas Anderson
Maya Rudolph began her relationship with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
2003: Appeared in Duplex
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Duplex.
2004: Rudolph Records Track with Matt Sharp
Maya Rudolph collaborated with The Rentals frontman Matt Sharp to record a track, including a cover of Tegan and Sara's "Not Tonight".
2004: Appeared in 50 First Dates
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie 50 First Dates.
2004: Appeared in 50 First Dates
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie 50 First Dates.
2005: Starred in Idiocracy
Maya Rudolph co-starred in the Mike Judge sci-fi comedy Idiocracy alongside Luke Wilson.
September 2006: Idiocracy Released
The Mike Judge sci-fi comedy, Idiocracy, starring Maya Rudolph and Luke Wilson, was given a limited release after being shelved.
2006: Starred in A Prairie Home Companion and Idiocracy
Maya Rudolph had supporting roles in the films A Prairie Home Companion, and Idiocracy.
2007: Leaves Saturday Night Live
Maya Rudolph left Saturday Night Live after seven years.
2007: Left SNL Cast, Continued to Make Cameo Appearances
Maya Rudolph left the main cast of Saturday Night Live but has made several cameo appearances over the years.
2007: Appeared in Disenchanted
Maya Rudolph portrayed the main antagonist, Malvina Monroe, in the sequel to the Disney Film Enchanted, Disenchanted.
2010: Appeared in Grown Ups
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Grown Ups.
2010: Appeared in Grown Ups
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Grown Ups.
2011: Appeared in Bridesmaids
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Bridesmaids.
2011: Appeared in Bridesmaids
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Bridesmaids.
2011: Starred in Up All Night
Maya Rudolph starred in the NBC sitcom Up All Night.
2012: Co-starred in Up All Night
Maya Rudolph co-starred in the NBC sitcom Up All Night.
2012: Up All Night Ends
The NBC sitcom Up All Night, starring Maya Rudolph, ended.
2013: Appeared in Grown Ups 2, The Way, Way Back, and Turbo
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movies Grown Ups 2 and The Way, Way Back. She also provided voice acting for the animated film Turbo.
May 19, 2014: Variety Show Pilot Aired
Maya Rudolph's self-titled variety show television pilot aired.
2014: Appeared in Inherent Vice and Big Hero 6
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Inherent Vice. She also provided voice acting for the animated film Big Hero 6.
2015: Appeared in Sisters
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Sisters.
May 31, 2016: Maya & Marty Premiered
The NBC variety series Maya & Marty, starring Maya Rudolph and Martin Short, premiered.
2016: Co-Hosted Maya & Marty
Maya Rudolph co-hosted the variety show Maya & Marty.
2016: Voice Acting in The Angry Birds Movie
Maya Rudolph provided voice acting for The Angry Birds Movie.
2017: Began Voicing Characters for Big Mouth
Maya Rudolph began voicing various characters for the animated sitcom Big Mouth.
2017: Voice Acting in The Emoji Movie
Maya Rudolph provided voice acting for The Emoji Movie.
2017: Voice Acting in The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature
Maya Rudolph provided voice acting for The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature.
2017: Voice Acting in Big Mouth and The Emoji Movie
Maya Rudolph provided voice acting for the animated series Big Mouth and the animated movie The Emoji Movie.
September 14, 2018: Forever Premiered
Maya Rudolph's series, Forever, premiered on Amazon Video.
2018: Performed in Advertisements for Ruby Tuesday and Seventh Generation
Maya Rudolph performed in advertisements for Ruby Tuesday and Seventh Generation.
2018: Won an Emmy for Big Mouth
Maya Rudolph won her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for her voice work on the Netflix animated series "Big Mouth."
2018: Appeared in Life of the Party
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Life of the Party.
2019: Appeared in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Maya Rudolph appeared as the mother in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.
2019: Voice Acting in The Angry Birds Movie 2
Maya Rudolph provided voice acting for The Angry Birds Movie 2.
2020: Nominated for Emmy for The Good Place
Maya Rudolph received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of the Judge in "The Good Place."
2021: Voice Acting in Luca
Maya Rudolph provided voice acting for Luca.
July 2022: Starred in Loot
Maya Rudolph starred in the Apple TV+ series Loot.
2022: Appeared in Disenchanted
Maya Rudolph appeared in the movie Disenchanted.
2022: Starred in and Executive Produced Loot
Maya Rudolph began executive producing and starring in the comedy series Loot.
January 2023: Rudolph Becomes M&M's Spokesperson
Maya Rudolph was announced as the spokesperson for M&M's following the controversy surrounding the brand's "Spokescandies" depictions of gender. Despite Mars Incorporated's initial decision to pull the characters, they later returned for the Super Bowl commercial.
October 3, 2023: Reportedly Separated from Animal Pictures
It was reported that Maya Rudolph amicably separated from her production company, Animal Pictures, to pursue independent productions.