Aidy Bryant brought a special kind of energy to comedy. For a decade, she was a standout star on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Her characters were funny, relatable, and always memorable. Bryant did more than just get laughs. She connected with audiences in a way that felt genuine and new. She showed that comedy could be both hilarious and full of heart.
This article will explore the career of Aidy Bryant. We will look at her beginnings in the world of improv comedy. We will follow her journey as she becomes a key player at SNL. You will also learn about her work creating and starring in the television show Shrill. We will see how Aidy Bryant became such an important and beloved figure in modern comedy.
Who is Aidy Bryant?
Aidan “Aidy” Bryant was born on May 7, 1987, in Phoenix, Arizona. Her parents, Tom and Georganne Bryant, always supported her interest in performing. Her mother owns a boutique in Phoenix. From a young age, Aidy loved to make people laugh. She participated in drama clubs and summer camps focused on acting and comedy. This early passion set the stage for her future career.
After graduating from high school, Bryant attended Columbia College in Chicago. She chose the school for its well-known comedy studies program. Chicago has a rich history of improv comedy. It is the city where many comedy legends got their start. Aidy Bryant immersed herself in this world. She trained at renowned theaters such as iO Theater and The Second City. This training was vital. It taught her how to create characters on the spot and work with other performers.
The Path to Saturday Night Live
Aidy Bryant’s hard work in Chicago paid off. She became a regular performer with The Second City, a dream for many aspiring comedians. While performing on a cruise ship with a Second City touring company, she got a life-changing call. Saturday Night Live wanted her to audition. She impressed the producers, including the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels.
In 2012, Aidy Bryant joined the cast of SNL as a featured player. She was just 25 years old. Joining such a legendary show was a huge step. She quickly proved she belonged. In her first few years, she created several popular recurring characters. One of her most famous is Melanie, a confident teenager who hosts her own YouTube show, “Girlfriends Talk Show,” with her best friend, played by Cecily Strong. The chemistry between the two performers made the sketch a fan favorite.
A Star on SNL
After just two seasons, Aidy Bryant was promoted to a full cast member in 2014. This new status showed how valuable she had become to the show. Over her ten years at SNL, she developed a reputation for her versatility. She could play anyone from a shy middle schooler to a powerful political figure. She was known for her spot on impressions of people like Senator Ted Cruz and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
What made Bryant special was her ability to make every character feel real. Even in the most absurd sketches, she found a human truth that people could connect with. Her characters often balanced confidence and vulnerability. This made them funny and deeply relatable. She was not just playing for a quick laugh. She was building characters that audiences cared about. Her work earned her multiple Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Creating ‘Shrill’
While still a star on SNL, Aidy Bryant took on another huge project. She co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the television series Shrill. The show, which premiered in 2019, was based on the book by author Lindy West. In Shrill, Bryant played Annie Easton, a young journalist navigating her career, relationships, and self-worth as a plus-size woman.
Shrill was a groundbreaking show. It received praise for its honest and positive portrayal of a fat woman’s life. The show was funny, but it also addressed serious topics such as body image, online harassment, and workplace dynamics. Aidy Bryant’s performance as Annie was incredible. She brought warmth, humor, and depth to the role. The show proved that she was not just a great sketch performer but also a talented leading actress and creator. For her work on Shrill, she earned another Emmy nomination, this time for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Life After SNL
In 2022, after ten seasons, Aidy Bryant announced she was leaving Saturday Night Live. Her departure marked the end of an era for the show. She left behind a legacy of unforgettable characters and sketches. Leaving SNL has allowed her to focus on new projects. She has lent her voice to animated shows like Human Resources and is developing new television ideas.
In her personal life, Bryant is married to comedian Conner O’Malley. He is also a former comedy writer who worked on Late Night with Seth Meyers. They met in Chicago and have been together for many years. Bryant often shares bits of their life on social media, showing a sense of humor that is just as sharp off-screen as it is on.
The Bryant Legacy in Comedy
Aidy Bryant has had a major impact on comedy. She became a role model for many people. Through her work, especially in Shrill, she has championed body positivity and challenged Hollywood’s narrow standards of beauty. She has shown that stories about all types of people are important and can find a wide audience.
Her comedic style is one of joyful confidence. She fully commits to every character she plays, no matter how strange. This total commitment is what makes her so funny to watch. She is a team player who makes her scene partners look good. Yet, she can also carry a scene all by herself. Aidy Bryant has carved out a unique space for herself in the entertainment industry. She is an artist who makes people laugh while also making them think. Her work will continue to influence comedy for a long time.
For more deep dives into your favorite actor, see our article on the comedic legend.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Aidy Bryant famous for?
Aidy Bryant is famous for her ten-year run as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and for creating and starring in the TV show Shrill.
2. Where did Aidy Bryant start her career?
She started her comedy career in Chicago, training and performing at renowned improv theaters such as The Second City and iO Theater.
3. What were some of Aidy Bryant’s famous SNL characters?
Some of her famous recurring characters on SNL include Melanie from “Girlfriends Talk Show” and her impressions of Ted Cruz and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
4. What is the show Shrill about?
Shrill is a comedy series about a plus-size young woman named Annie who wants to change her life, but not her body, while navigating work, love, and friendship.
5. Is Aidy Bryant still on SNL?
No, Aidy Bryant left Saturday Night Live in 2022 after being on the show for ten seasons.
