History of Sarah Silverman in Timeline
Sarah Kate Silverman is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer known for her dark humor and satirical comedy. She gained recognition as a writer and cast member on "Saturday Night Live" in the 1990s. Her most notable work includes "The Sarah Silverman Program," which aired on Comedy Central from 2007 to 2010 and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
1937: Birth of Donald Silverman
Sarah Silverman's father, Donald Silverman, was born in 1937.
1941: Birth of Beth Ann Halpin
Sarah Silverman's mother, Beth Ann Halpin, was born in 1941.
December 1, 1970: Birth of Sarah Silverman
On December 1, 1970, Sarah Kate Silverman was born in Bedford, New Hampshire.
1988: Silverman Dates Comedian Kevin Brennan
Sarah Silverman dated fellow comedian Kevin Brennan in 1988.
1989: Graduation from The Derryfield School
Silverman graduated from The Derryfield School in Manchester in 1989.
1992: Start of Stand-Up Comedy Career
Silverman's stand-up comedy career began in 1992.
1993: Sarah Silverman Joins Saturday Night Live
In 1993, Sarah Silverman began her stint as a writer and featured player on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.
1994: Departure from Saturday Night Live
In 1994, after one season, Silverman's time on Saturday Night Live came to an end.
1995: Involvement in "Mr. Show"
Silverman starred in the HBO sketch comedy series "Mr. Show," which ran from 1995 to 1997.
1996: Guest Appearance on "The Larry Sanders Show"
Silverman appeared in an episode of "The Larry Sanders Show" in 1996, parodying her experience on "Saturday Night Live."
July 3, 1997: Network Stand-Up Debut on "Late Show with David Letterman"
Silverman made her debut stand-up appearance on network television on "Late Show with David Letterman" on July 3, 1997.
1997: "Who's the Caboose?" Release
Silverman starred in the independent film "Who's the Caboose?", which was released in 1997.
2001: Sarah Silverman's Joke on Conan O'Brien Sparks Controversy
In 2001, Sarah Silverman sparked controversy after using a racial slur during a joke on Conan O'Brien's show. This led to public objections and discussions about race and comedy, with Silverman defending her joke without issuing an apology.
2002: Silverman and Kimmel Begin Relationship
Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel embarked on a relationship in 2002, with Silverman referencing their religious differences in her comedy.
2002: Recurring Role on "Crank Yankers" and Other Appearances
Starting in 2002, Silverman began voicing the character of Hadassah Guberman on the puppet comedy show "Crank Yankers." She also made appearances in several films around this time, including "There's Something About Mary," "Say It Isn't So," and "Greg the Bunny."
2003: Appearance in "School of Rock"
Silverman had a role in the popular comedy film "School of Rock" in 2003.
2005: Silverman Releases "Jesus is Magic" Stand-Up Special
In 2005, Sarah Silverman released her stand-up special "Jesus is Magic," which included a controversial joke about Jesus that would later resurface and lead to death threats.
2005: Silverman's Controversial Performance in "The Aristocrats"
In 2005, Sarah Silverman's participation in the documentary "The Aristocrats" stirred controversy. Her retelling of a transgressive joke, framed as an autobiographical account of child sex abuse and naming Joe Franklin as the perpetrator, offended Franklin. He contemplated legal action but ultimately decided against it.
2005: "Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic" Release
Silverman's concert film, "Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic," premiered in 2005.
2006: Featured on Maxim Hot 100 List
Silverman was included in Maxim's Hot 100 List, ranking 50th, in 2006.
February 2007: The Sarah Silverman Program Premieres
February 2007 marked the premiere of "The Sarah Silverman Program" on Comedy Central. The show, which ran for three seasons, starred Silverman and revolved around the daily lives of fictionalized versions of herself, her sister Laura, and their friends.
June 2007: Silverman Hosts MTV Movie Awards
In June 2007, Silverman hosted the MTV Movie Awards and made headlines for her controversial jokes, including one directed at Paris Hilton who was in the audience.
June 2007: Silverman's Jokes at MTV Movie Awards Spark Discomfort
While hosting the MTV Movie Awards in June 2007, Sarah Silverman made jokes about Paris Hilton's jail sentence, causing visible discomfort for Hilton, who was in attendance. Silverman later apologized for the jokes.
September 2007: Silverman's Controversial Remarks at MTV Video Music Awards
Silverman sparked controversy with her commentary about Britney Spears's comeback performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2007.
2007: Silverman Opens Up About Personal Struggles
In 2007, Sarah Silverman showed honesty by speaking about her experiences with bedwetting, clinical depression, and addiction to Xanax, highlighting these personal challenges.
2007: Silverman's Blackface Sketch on "The Sarah Silverman Program"
In a 2007 episode of "The Sarah Silverman Program," Silverman's character appeared in blackface, drawing criticism and later leading to professional consequences for Silverman.
2007: The Sarah Silverman Program Premieres
Sarah Silverman's show, "The Sarah Silverman Program," debuted on Comedy Central in 2007.
2007: Cover Appearance and Ranking on Maxim Hot 100 List
Silverman was featured on the cover of Maxim magazine in 2007, coinciding with her rise to the 29th spot on their Hot 100 List.
January 2008: "I'm F&cking Matt Damon" Video Release
Silverman's video "I'm F&cking Matt Damon," featuring Matt Damon and referencing her then-boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel, became a viral sensation on YouTube in January 2008. The song later earned her an Emmy Award.
July 2008: Silverman and Kimmel's Relationship Reportedly Ends
In July 2008, Vanity Fair reported that Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel's relationship had ended.
September 13, 2008: Silverman Wins Emmy for "I'm F&cking Matt Damon"
On September 13, 2008, Silverman was recognized for her work on the song "I'm F&cking Matt Damon" with a Creative Arts Emmy Award for writing.
October 2008: Silverman and Kimmel Reportedly Reconcile
Following their reported split, media outlets indicated that Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel were reconciling in October 2008.
March 2009: Silverman and Kimmel Split Again
After a brief reconciliation, Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel's relationship ended again in March 2009.
2009: Appearance in "Strange Powers" Documentary
In 2009, Silverman appeared in "Strange Powers," a documentary that centered around songwriter Stephin Merritt and his band The Magnetic Fields.
April 2010: Silverman Publishes Autobiography, "The Bedwetter"
In April 2010, Sarah Silverman released her autobiography, "The Bedwetter," where she candidly discussed her experiences with bedwetting and shared other personal anecdotes.
2010: End of "The Sarah Silverman Program" and Release of Memoir
In 2010, "The Sarah Silverman Program" concluded its run. The same year, Silverman published her autobiography, "The Bedwetter."
2010: Silverman Briefly Dates Alec Sulkin
In 2010, Sarah Silverman had a brief relationship with Alec Sulkin, the Executive Producer of "Family Guy."
2010: Silverman Publishes Memoir "The Bedwetter"
Silverman's memoir, titled "The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee," was released in 2010.
2011: "Take This Waltz" Release
Silverman appeared in the film "Take This Waltz" in 2011.
2011: "Take This Waltz" Premieres at TIFF
Silverman starred alongside Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen in "Take This Waltz," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011.
September 20, 2012: Silverman's Public Service Announcement on Voter ID Laws
Silverman used her platform to bring attention to voter ID laws with a public service announcement released on September 20, 2012. The PSA, funded by the Jewish Council for Education & Research, highlighted the potential barriers these laws presented for certain demographics in the upcoming presidential election.
2012: "Take This Waltz" Sees Wide Release
"Take This Waltz" was distributed in the United States by Magnolia in the summer of 2012.
2012: Pilot for "Susan 313" Filmed but Not Picked Up
Although a pilot episode was filmed, NBC ultimately decided against picking up Silverman's show "Susan 313" for the 2012-2013 season.
2012: Silverman Voices Vanellope in "Wreck-It Ralph"
Silverman lent her voice to the character Vanellope von Schweetz in Disney's animated film "Wreck-It Ralph," released in 2012.
2012: Voice Acting Debut in "Wreck-It Ralph"
Silverman voiced the character Vanellope von Schweetz in the animated Disney film "Wreck-It Ralph," released in 2012.
March 10, 2013: JASH YouTube Channel Launches
March 10, 2013 saw the launch of the JASH YouTube channel, a comedy platform co-created by Silverman, Michael Cera, Reggie Watts, and the duo Tim & Eric.
2013: HBO Pilot "People in New Jersey" Not Ordered to Series
HBO produced a pilot episode of "People in New Jersey," a sitcom starring Silverman, Patti LuPone, and Topher Grace, but it was not picked up for a full series in 2013.
May 30, 2014: Silverman Stars in "A Million Ways to Die in the West"
Silverman took on the role of Ruth, a prostitute, in Seth MacFarlane's Western comedy "A Million Ways to Die in the West." The film premiered on May 30, 2014.
August 2014: Silverman Confirms Relationship with Michael Sheen
During the Emmy Awards in August 2014, Sarah Silverman publicly acknowledged her relationship with Welsh actor Michael Sheen.
December 2014: Witnessing History at the Western Wall
Silverman was present at the Western Wall in December 2014 when women participated in the lighting of menorahs for the first time.
2014: Silverman Addresses Marriage and Government Involvement
In 2014, Sarah Silverman took to Twitter to express her views on marriage and government, stating her opposition to government involvement in love lives and her personal choice not to get married until same-sex couples had the same right.
2014: Role in "A Million Ways to Die in the West"
Silverman acted in the comedy film "A Million Ways to Die in the West" in 2014.
September 2015: Silverman Supports ONE Campaign's Open Letter
Demonstrating her commitment to social causes, Sarah Silverman added her name to an open letter spearheaded by the ONE Campaign in September 2015, advocating for a focus on women in development funding ahead of a significant UN summit.
2015: Silverman Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
In 2015, Sarah Silverman expressed her support for Bernie Sanders in his bid for the US presidency, praising his authenticity and integrity.
2015: Death of Beth Ann Silverman
Sarah Silverman's mother, Beth Ann Silverman, passed away in 2015.
2015: Planned Voice Role in "RWBY" Doesn't Materialize
Silverman was initially slated to voice the character Neopolitan in the animated series "RWBY" but the role ultimately went to another actor.
2015: Lead Role in "I Smile Back" and SAG Award Nomination
Silverman's performance in the 2015 film "I Smile Back" earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
July 2016: Silverman Hospitalized with Epiglottitis
In a health scare, Sarah Silverman was hospitalized at Cedars Sinai Hospital in July 2016 for a week due to epiglottitis, a serious medical condition.
2016: Political Activism during the Presidential Election
During the 2016 United States presidential election, Silverman became increasingly vocal about her political views, first campaigning for Bernie Sanders and then voicing her support for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention.
2016: Silverman Supports Hillary Clinton at DNC, Advocates for Social Justice
In 2016, after initially backing Bernie Sanders, Sarah Silverman publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention, urging fellow Sanders supporters to unite behind Clinton. Silverman has also been a vocal advocate for social justice issues, including addressing racial bias in cannabis arrests and supporting reintegration programs for non-violent offenders.
2016: Silverman Becomes Politically Active During 2016 Election
Sarah Silverman's political engagement grew notably in the lead-up to the 2016 US presidential election.
2017: Silverman on Motherhood, Career, and Mental Health
In 2017, Sarah Silverman articulated her choice to prioritize her demanding career in comedy over motherhood, citing concerns about passing on her depression and the numerous children already in need of homes.
2017: Silverman Reflects on Controversy in "The History of Comedy"
In 2017, during an interview for the docu-series "The History of Comedy," Sarah Silverman revisited the 2001 controversy surrounding her joke. She acknowledged learning from the experience and understanding that her style of humor wasn't universally accepted, but maintained that she didn't intend to be racist.
2017: "I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman" Premieres
Silverman began hosting the Hulu late-night talk show "I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman" in 2017.
2017: "Battle of the Sexes" Release
Silverman had a role in the film "Battle of the Sexes," which premiered in 2017.
February 2018: Silverman and Sheen Break Up
Sarah Silverman revealed in February 2018 that her relationship with Michael Sheen had ended during the holiday season.
October 2018: Silverman Addresses Encounter with Louis C.K.
During an interview on "The Howard Stern Show" in October 2018, Sarah Silverman revealed witnessing Louis C.K. masturbate, describing it as consensual in their case due to the lack of power imbalance, but emphasizing the differences between her experience and those of other women, which she deemed unacceptable.
2018: "I Love You, America" Ends
"I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman" concluded its run in 2018.
2018: Silverman Reprises Role in "Ralph Breaks the Internet"
Silverman reprised her role as Vanellope von Schweetz in the 2018 sequel to "Wreck-It Ralph," titled "Ralph Breaks the Internet."
2018: Return to Voice Acting in "Ralph Breaks the Internet"
Silverman reprised her role as the voice of Vanellope von Schweetz in the sequel "Ralph Breaks the Internet," released in 2018.
2018: Conclusion of "I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman"
Silverman's late-night talk show "I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman" ended in late 2018.
October 10, 2019: Silverman Featured in "Laughing Matters" Documentary
On October 10, 2019, a YouTube documentary titled "Laughing Matters," which featured Silverman alongside other comedians discussing mental health, was released.
2019: Silverman Receives Death Threats Over 2005 "Jesus is Magic" Routine
In 2019, Sarah Silverman faced death threats from two Baptist pastors over her 2005 stand-up routine "Jesus is Magic," where she joked about killing Jesus. Silverman condemned the pastors and the manipulation of truth.
2019: Silverman Faces Repercussions for Past Blackface Sketch
In 2019, a resurfaced image from Silverman's 2007 blackface sketch resulted in her being fired from an unnamed film project, highlighting the long-lasting impact of controversial comedic choices.
September 23, 2020: Silverman Advocates for Voter ID Education
On September 23, 2020, Sarah Silverman used her platform to encourage her Instagram followers to confirm they had the necessary identification to vote in the upcoming election, directing them to the voter ID education organization VoteRiders.
October 2020: "The Sarah Silverman Podcast" Launches
Silverman started "The Sarah Silverman Podcast" in October 2020, offering her commentary on a range of personal and societal topics.
November 17, 2020: Silverman Reveals Relationship with Rory Albanese
On November 17, 2020, Sarah Silverman announced on Howard Stern's SiriusXM radio show that she was in a relationship with Rory Albanese, the former showrunner for "The Daily Show."
2020: Silverman Renews Support for Bernie Sanders in 2020 Election
Maintaining her political stance, Sarah Silverman reiterated her support for Bernie Sanders in the 2020 US presidential election, actively campaigning for him.
2021: Silverman's Past Britney Spears Jokes Resurface and Draw Criticism
In 2021, following the release of the documentary "Framing Britney Spears," Sarah Silverman's jokes about Britney Spears from the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, where she mocked Spears' attire and referred to her children as "adorable mistakes," resurfaced and drew criticism. Silverman expressed regret over the remarks, claiming she hadn't seen Spears' performance before taking the stage.
July 10, 2022: "The Bedwetter" Musical Adaptation Opens Off-Broadway
"The Bedwetter," a musical adaptation of Silverman's memoir for which she wrote the book and lyrics, premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theatre on April 30, 2022. The production, starring Caissie Levy and Bebe Neuwirth, ran until July 10, 2022.
2022: Stage Adaptation of "The Bedwetter"
In 2022, Silverman adapted her autobiography, "The Bedwetter," into an off-Broadway musical.
July 2023: Silverman Sues OpenAI and Meta Platforms
In July 2023, Sarah Silverman joined two other authors in a lawsuit against OpenAI and Meta Platforms. The suit alleged that OpenAI's ChatGPT and Meta's LLaMA, both language models, were trained on the plaintiffs' copyrighted books without obtaining proper permission or providing compensation. The suit further claimed that the books were accessed through illegal means.
October 2023: Silverman Voices Support for Israel, Exits DSA
During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war in October 2023, Sarah Silverman publicly expressed her support for Israel through various social media posts and stories. Following this, she announced her departure from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after several years of membership. Silverman cited the organization's official response to the initial Hamas attacks and what she perceived as a lack of support for Israel as her reasons for leaving.
2023: Death of Donald Silverman
Sarah Silverman's father, Donald Silverman, passed away in 2023.
2023: "Someone You Love" Premieres on Max
Silverman's hour-long stand-up comedy special, "Someone You Love," was released on HBO's streaming platform Max in 2023.
February 2024: "Stupid Pet Tricks" Premieres on TBS
Silverman started hosting "Stupid Pet Tricks" on TBS in February 2024. This comedy variety show, based on a segment from "The Late Show with David Letterman," features pet owners showcasing their pets' silly antics.
