Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Tina Fey Biography

Birth Name:Elizabeth Stamatina Fey

Birth Place:Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Worked on campaigns for Mercy Corps in their campaign to end world hunger
Received the Mark Twain Prize for Humor in 2010
Was honored in 2009 by the Love Our Children USA organization's Mothers Who Make a Difference for her work in fighting against violence against children
First female to take the role of head writer for the program "Saturday Night Live․"
In 2010, she won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor becoming the youngest recipient
In 2019, she was named the best comedian of the 21st century by The Guardian
She has won 9 Emmy Awards, 3 Golden Globes, and 5 Screen Actors Guild Awards
In 2009 she was the national spokesperson for the Light the Night Walk that benefits Leukemia & Lymophoma
Graduated with a Bachelor degree in drama from the University of Virginia in 1992
Married Second City director Jeff Richmond in 2001
Got her start in the comedy world with Second City, the Chicago-based improvisation group
Started writing comedy at a young age and wrote her high-school newspaper's satirical column
Quote: "There are no mistakes, only beautiful happy accidents․ And many of the world's greatest discoveries have been by accident․ I mean, look at the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, or Botox․"
Quote: "(On how quickly she returned to work after her maternity leave): "I had to get back to work․․․NBC has me under contract; the baby and I only have a verbal agreement․""
Widely recognized for her impression of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Frequently references "Star Wars" in her works
Based her "30 Rock" character Liz Lemon on fellow actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Director Adam McKay taught her first improv class
Has a scar on her chin that was caused by a stranger who came from behind an alley by her house and slashed her face when she was a child
Was not allowed to watch "The Flintstones" as a child because her father thought it was a rip-off the "The Honeymooners․"
During her mid-20s in Chicago, provided voices for an unnamed pinball game which is now known as "Medival Madness․"

Awards

2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2001WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: winner
2002WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2003WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2004ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2005Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best First Screenplay: nominated
2005WGA Award (Screen)-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: nominated
2007Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead in a Comedy Series: winner
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: winner
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2007TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
2007WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
2007WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2007WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: winner
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2008Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: winner
2008Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
2008Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead - Comedy Series: winner
2008INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2008Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Comedy Series: nominated
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer of a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Program: nominated
2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: winner
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: winner
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: winner
2008Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2008Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Comedy: nominated
2008TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: winner
2008WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: winner
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
2009Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: winner
2009Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
2009INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2009INOCA TV-Best Guest Actress in a Drama or Comedy Series: winner
2009Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Comedy Series: nominated
2009OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2009OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2009PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: winner
2009People's Choice Award-Favorite On-Screen Match-Up: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: winner
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2009Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2009TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
2009WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: nominated
2009WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: winner
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2010Dorian Award-Savage Wit of the Year: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Variety Performance of the Decade: winner
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress of the Decade: winner
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay of the Decade: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: nominated
2010Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2010INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Comedy Series: nominated
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Comedy: winner
2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Dance: nominated
2010WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: winner
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2011Dorian Award-Wilde Wit of the Year: nominated
2011Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: nominated
2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2011INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Comedy Series: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
2011People's Choice Award-Favorite On-Screen Team: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2011WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2012Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2012Golden Nymph-Outstanding International Producer (Comedy Series): nominated
2012Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2012PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2012TV Guide Award-Favorite Actress: nominated
2012WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2013Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Year: winner
2013Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2013INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013INOCA TV-Best Writing for a Comedy Series: winner
2013INOCA TV-Best Episode of a Comedy Series: winner
2013Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Writing in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: winner
2013WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role - Comedy/Musical: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Cameo: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: winner
2014PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2015Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2015Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Year: nominated
2015Gotham Independent Film Award-Breakthrough Series - Long Form: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Comedy: nominated
2016Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: winner
2016Gracie-Outstanding Female Actor in a Featured/Guest Role: winner
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2016WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
2016WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2017Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Year: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: nominated
2017WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2017WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: nominated
2017WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: winner
2018Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Actress of the Decade: nominated
2020IFJA Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: nominated
2021EDA Female Focus Award-Best Animated Female: winner
2021CCA Super Award-Best Voice Actress in an Animated Movie: winner
2021Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2021HFCS Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2021HCA Award-Best Visual Effects or Animated Performance: nominated
2021Kids' Choice Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
2021LEJA Award-Best Voice or Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2021OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2021OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2021WAFCA Award-Best Voice Performance: nominated
2021WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Specials: nominated
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: winner
2026WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Specials: nominated