Cecily Strong
Cecily Strong | |
---|---|
Born | Cecily Legler Strong[1] February 8, 1984 Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
Education | California Institute of the Arts (BFA) |
Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian |
Years active | 2012–present |
Known for | Saturday Night Live (2012–2022) Schmigadoon! (2021–2023) |
Cecily Legler Strong (born February 8, 1984)[2][3] is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2012 to 2022.[4] She is the longest-tenured female cast member in the show's history.[5]
Strong has a starring role in the
For her work on Saturday Night Live, Strong was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 72nd and 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.
Early life
Strong was born in Springfield, Illinois, and was raised in Oak Park, an inner ring suburb of Chicago.[6] She is the daughter of Penelope and William "Bill" Strong, who worked as an Associated Press bureau chief and as of 2013 ran his own public relations firm.[2][6] Penny Legler Strong is a nurse practitioner, having worked extensively at area hospitals. Strong's parents are divorced.[7] Strong grew up adoring SNL as a child, reenacting sketches with her friend[8] and watching old SNL commercials on VHS. "I had a tape of the best commercials, and I wore it out, every day." She has stated that she was inspired by Phil Hartman.[9]
In a 2021 interview with
She attended Oak Park and River Forest High School until her sophomore year, when she was expelled for bringing marijuana to school. She then attended a private Catholic school until transferring for her senior year to the Chicago Academy for the Arts, where she graduated in 2002.[7][11] She then studied acting at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), graduating in 2006 with a BFA in theatre.[12][13][14] After graduating, Strong returned to Chicago where she studied at the Second City Conservatory and iO Chicago.
Career
Strong performed regularly at
Saturday Night Live
Strong debuted as a featured player on Saturday Night Live on September 15, 2012.
Strong drew praise from abortion-rights supporters, and strong backlash from abortion opponents, after appearing in a comedy skit, "Goober the Clown Who Had An Abortion When She Was 23," during a Weekend Update sketch on the November 6, 2021, episode.[24] The sketch followed U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in two cases relating to the Texas Heartbeat Act.[25] Strong later confirmed on her Instagram account that the sketch referenced her own abortion.[26] Strong followed up on the commentary a year later, during a Weekend Update sketch on the November 5, 2022, episode, appearing as "Tammy the Trucker on Gas Prices and Definitely Not Abortion" before the 2022 midterm elections.
Strong returned to SNL for
Recurring characters
- The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party, an unintelligent, unnamed pseudo-activist,[32]
- Dana, a loud-mouthed, unfriendly retail employee who along with Niff (played by Bobby Moynihan) always insults her coworkers out of fear of being fired,
- Donna Fingerneck, The Art of the Encounter and Women in the Workplace co-host with Jodi Cork (played by Kate McKinnon),
- Heather, a one-dimensional female character from a male-driven comedy,
- Kyra, co-host of The Girlfriends Talk Show, alongside Morgan (played by Aidy Bryant),
- Cathy Anne, the drug-addicted neighbor of Michael Che (usually introduced by Che as "the woman who's always yelling outside my window"), who has strong opinions on current events,
- An unnamed blond former porn star-turned-model/commercial actress who hawks elegant items alongside Brecky (played by Vanessa Bayer),
- Gemma, an aspiring British singer with various boyfriends,
- Gracelynn Chisholm, co-host of morning show Right Side of the Bed with her husband Cory (played by Taran Killam),
- Joelle LaRue, one of the two French animal-based video clip show presenters, alongside Noelle LeSoup (played by Kate McKinnon),
- Lonnie, one of the two unintelligent kids (the other being Josh, played by Mikey Day) in the Science Room sketches.[33][34]
Celebrity impressions
- Christina Aguilera
- Rachel Brosnahan
- Rosie Perez
- Marion Cotillard
- Fergie
- Paula Broadwell
- Olivia Colman
- Rachel Maddow
- Michelle Rodriguez
Other work
Strong was the featured entertainer at the 2015
In 2016, she appeared in a
Her first book, a memoir titled This Will All Be Over Soon, was published on August 10, 2021.
In 2021, Strong appeared in
Strong made her New York stage debut in an Off Broadway revival of Jane Wagner's one-woman play The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, which starred Lily Tomlin in 1985.[47] Directed by Leigh Silverman, the show opened at The Shed on January 11, 2022.[48][49]
It was then announced in December 2023, then Strong would co-star in the off Broadway play Brooklyn Laundry, which opened at the New York Center on February 28, 2024.[50]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | How to Sponsor a Uterus | Karen Rigsby | Short film |
2015 | The Bronze | Janice Townsend | |
2015 | Slow Learners |
Amber the ex | |
2015 | The Meddler | Jillian | |
2015 | Staten Island Summer | Mary Ellen | |
2016 | The Boss[51] | Dana Dandridge | |
2016 | Ghostbusters | Jennifer Lynch | |
2018 | The Female Brain | Zoe | |
2022 | Sparring Partner | Woman | Short film |
2023 | Leo | Virginia Malkin (voice) | |
2024 | The Garfield Movie | Marge (voice) | Post production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012–2022 | Saturday Night Live | Herself, Various | 213 episodes |
2012 | Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday | Various | 2 episodes |
2013–2015 | The Awesomes | Various Voices | 13 episodes |
2015 | White House Correspondents' Dinner | Herself (host) | Featured entertainer |
2016 | Angie Tribeca | Samantha Stevens | Episode: "Tribeca's Day Off" |
2016 | Years of Living Dangerously | Herself | Episode: "A Race Against Time" |
2016 | Netflix Presents: The Characters | Herself | Episode: "Natasha Rothwell" |
2016 | Superstore | Missy Jones | Episode: "Olympics" |
2016 | Maya & Marty | Various | Episode: "Ricky Gervais and Cecily Strong" |
2016 | Scream Queens | Catherine Hobart | Episode: "Scream Again" |
2017 | Man Seeking Woman | CCN Reporter | Episode: "Horse" |
2017 | Detroiters |
Roz Chunks | Episode: "Dream Cruise" |
2017 | Great News |
Jessica | Episode: "Night of the Living Screen" |
2018 | The Simpsons | Megan Matheson (voice) | Episode: "Homer Is Where the Art Isn't" |
2018 | Nature Cat | Petunia (voice) | Episode: "Garden Impossible" |
2019 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Herself (guest judge) | Episode: " Roast in Peace "
|
2019 | I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson | Brenda | Episode: "It's the Cigars You Smoke That Is Going to Give You Cancer" |
2020 | Loafy | Becca | Main cast |
2021 | That Damn Michael Che | Woman in elevator | Episode: "Policin'" |
2021–2023 | Schmigadoon! | Melissa Gimble | Main cast; also producer |
2024 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Ginger (voice) | Episode: "Medicaid" |
Personal life
In March 2024, Strong revealed that she is engaged to her partner Jack.[52][53]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Title | Result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Drama League Awards
|
Distinguished Performance Award | The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe | Nominated | [54] |
2021 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Saturday Night Live | Nominated | [23] |
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [22] | ||
2020 | Nominated | [22] | |||
Online Film & Television
Association Awards |
Best Female Performance
in a Variety Program |
Nominated | [55] | ||
2019 | Nominated | [55] | |||
2014 | Online Film & Television
Association Awards |
Best Female Performance
in a Fiction Program |
Nominated | [55] |
References
- ^ "News of the Alumni" (PDF). St. Andrew's. Spring 1984. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 9, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Dettro, Chris (January 19, 2013). "New SNL Comedian has shallow Springfield roots". The State Journal-Register. Springfield, Illinois. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
Strong's father, Bill Strong, was the Associated Press bureau chief at the Statehouse when Cecily was born in February 1984.
- ^ Night Live – SNL [@nbcsnl] (February 8, 2013). "Happy Birthday Cecily Strong!! So glad we get to spend the day w/ her and a bunch of snow and @justinbieber! tinyurl.com/apxz6pn #SNL #Fun" (Tweet). Retrieved March 8, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Metz, Nina (September 10, 2012). "Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson, Cecily Strong join cast of 'SNL'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Schneider, Michael (June 20, 2023). "Cecily Strong and Ego Nwodim on Knowing When to Leave 'SNL' and Learning Not to Take Anything Personal". Variety. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "Cecily Strong to co-anchor SNL's 'Weekend Update'". Sj-r.com. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
- ^ a b c Gomez, Luis (June 14, 2013). "Interview: 'SNL' star Cecily Strong returns home amid dream year". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
- ^ "Cecily Strong Is Being Serious". The New York Times. February 7, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
- ^ Cecily Strong – Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. February 19, 2013.
- ^ Gross, Terry (August 9, 2021). "Cecily Strong On 'SNL,' 'Schmigadoon!' And Coping In The Early Days Of The Pandemic". NPR. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ "Episode 1161: Cecily Strong". WTF with Mark Maron. September 28, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "CalArts Grad Cecily Strong Added to Cast of 'SNL'". SCV News. December 11, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Cast Bios". Cecily Strong. NBC. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
- ^ Fretts, Bruce (November 8, 2013). "Meet Saturday Night Live's New "Weekend Update" Anchor Cecily Strong". TV Guide. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
- ^ Heilpern, John (January 18, 2016). "Cecily Strong Shares the Secret to Her Saturday Night Live Success". Vanity Fair.
- ^ "Cecily Strong". Tumblr. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
- ^ Levin, Gary (September 10, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' adds three new cast members". USA Today.
- ^ "'Saturday Night Live' adds 3 performers for upcoming season after departures of Wiig, Samberg". The Washington Post (The Associated Press). September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019.
- ^ Morgan, Richard (May 9, 2014). "Cecily Strong and Colin Jost Are Newest 'Weekend Update' Anchors on 'Saturday Night Live'". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
- ^ Carter, Bill (September 11, 2014). "New Comic to Anchor 'Update' on 'S.N.L.'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ "Cecily Strong". Television Academy. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Cecily Strong". Emmys.com. Television Academy. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Television Nominations Announced for the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards". Critics Choice. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
- ^ "'SNL,' often lamented by critics, draws rave reviews thanks to Cecily Strong". CNN. November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Cecily Strong's 'clown abortion' SNL sketch prompts women to share their stories". NBC "Today". November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Cecily Strong thanks 'SNL' cast after personal clown sketch about abortion". USA Today. November 12, 2021. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021.
- ^ "Saturday Night Live - NBC.com". NBC. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ Darel Jevens (October 1, 2022). "Fear not, Cecily Strong fans: She hasn't left 'SNL'". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ Darwish, Meghan (October 27, 2022). "Cecily Strong Returns to 'Saturday Night Live' — See Her on Set of Season 48 (PHOTO)". TV Insider. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Hatchett, Keisha (November 29, 2022). "SNL: Steve Martin and Martin Short, Austin Butler to Host in December". TVLine. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ Tinoco, Armando (December 17, 2022). "Cecily Strong Leaving 'SNL' After 11 Seasons". Deadline. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ Fishman, Elly (February 20, 2013). "Questions for Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
- ^ Hoglund, Andy (January 26, 2020). "Saturday Night Live recap: A 'very chill' Adam Driver goes to hell and back (and, yes, Kylo Ren appears)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ Perkins, Dennis (January 26, 2020). "Third time's the winner, as Saturday Night Live finally takes advantage of Adam Driver". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ C-SPAN (April 25, 2015), Cecily Strong complete remarks at 2015 White House Correspondents' Dinner (C-SPAN), retrieved February 12, 2017
- ^ Cecily Strong's harshest burns in her White House correspondents' dinner speech, The Washington Post, April 26, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015
- ^ "Old Navy enlists SNL alums to improvise series of online spots". Campaign Live. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "David Letterman Will Explore Climate Change For National Geographic Docu-Series". Variety. September 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ @cecilystrong (January 23, 2021). "I'm excited and nervous and happy and overwhelmed and all the things to share a project I've been working on – my first book #ThisWillAllBeOverSoon . I didn't plan on writing a book this year and certainly didn't think this would be the book I would first write. But I'm so glad I did and I'm so lucky to have had people in my life to inspire it. It's out on 8.10.2021, but you can learn more and pre-order a copy here: bit.ly/393rboe" – via Instagram.
- ^ "Cecily Strong: This Will All Be Over Soon with Chanel Miller". Semicolon Bookstore. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Strong, Cecily (April 21, 2020). "I Don't Know How to Tell This Story". Vulture. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ISBN 9781982168315. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise. "'That Damn Michael Che': HBO Max Unveils First-Look At 'SNL' Star's Sketch Show — Watch". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ Rickwald, Bethany (July 12, 2021). "Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Schmigadoon!, Starring Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key". Playbill. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (July 12, 2021). "'Schmigadoon!': Musical Parody Miniseries Brings That Old Song and Dance Back to Life". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Evans, Greg (October 12, 2021). "Cecily Strong Sets New York Stage Debut In Revival Of Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Solo Show 'The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe'". Deadline. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ Franklin, Marc J. (January 5, 2022). "Take a 1st Look at Cecily Strong in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Cecily Strong, David Zayas to star in 'Brooklyn Laundry' off Broadway". December 19, 2023.
- ^ Mike Fleming Jr. "Cecily Strong Joins Melissa McCarthy Comedy 'Michelle Darnell'", Deadline Hollywood, April 28, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015
- ^ https://ew.com/saturday-night-live-alum-cecily-strong-is-engaged-8621671
- ^ https://www.vulture.com/2020/04/cecily-strong-i-dont-know-how-to-tell-this-story.html
- ^ "2022 Awards – the Drama League". November 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Cecily Strong". IMDb. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
External links
- Cecily Strong at IMDb
- Cecily Strong on Instagram
- Official SNL cast biography