Natasha Leggero (/ləˈʒɛəroʊ/) (born March 26, 1974) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She rose to fame after appearing as the host of the MTV reality television series The 70s House in 2005, and as a regular roundtable panelist on Chelsea Handler's late-night talk show Chelsea Lately from 2008 to 2014.[1]
Natasha Leggero | |
---|---|
Natasha Leggero at ComicCon in 2015 | |
Born | Rockford, Illinois, U.S | March 26, 1974
Medium |
|
Alma mater | Hunter College (BA) Stella Adler Studio of Acting |
Years active | 2000–present |
Genres | |
Subject(s) | |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Website | natashaleggero |
Leggero created the Comedy Central period sitcom Another Period (2015–2018) with Riki Lindhome, which she starred in as Lillian Abigail Bellacourt, a daughter of the fictional Bellacourt family. As a voice actress, Leggero has starred in several adult animated sitcoms, voicing the roles of Callie Maggotbone in Ugly Americans (2010–2012), Ethel in Brickleberry (2013–2015) and Shannon in Hoops (2020). She also starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Free Agents (2011) as Emma Parker, in the Showtime comedy series Dice (2016–2017) as Carmen, and in the CBS sitcom Broke (2020) as Elizabeth. In 2022, Leggero released her first book, The World Deserves My Children.[2]
Her observational comedy has been noted by critics for its use of satire, as commentary on such themes as celebrity culture and social class.[citation needed]
Early life and education
editLeggero was born on March 26, 1974[a] in Rockford, Illinois[6] and is of Italian[7] and Swedish[8] descent. She grew up Roman Catholic[9] but converted to Judaism as an adult.[10] She has two brothers, two years and five years younger than her. One of her brothers performs rap in Los Angeles and another is in construction in Rockford.
Commenting on her childhood, Leggero said, "I would say [we were] lower-middle-class, but I feel like my mom would start crying if she heard that. But my dad was a used car dealer and my mother worked in a locksmith shop as the bookkeeper, and then they got divorced, and I do remember, like, nuns bringing us food—like big canned goods... we didn't really go on vacation–ever... I had so many jobs growing up: I mowed lawns; I worked at a grocery store; I had two newspaper routes; I worked at a catering place... I definitely hustled."[3] Her mother wanted to put her in a swimming class but it was full. Instead Leggero went to an acting class which was taught by the brother of the artistic director of New American Theatre on Main Street in Rockford.
Leggero began performing at age 10 in plays at the New American Theatre. She attended Rockford East High School[11] and worked at a grocery store as a teenager.[12] After graduating from high school, she attended Illinois State University on a scholarship where she studied for two years and spent a semester studying abroad in England.[12] She had three jobs while overseas including a job at a pub. While at Illinois State, Leggero auditioned for the Stella Adler Conservatory in Chicago and was accepted into the theater program.[12] She planned to go to Juilliard School. She then went to New York City to attend the conservatory, studying for two years and living in a rent controlled apartment. She worked at the Whiskey Bar.[12] In 1996, she moved to Sydney, Australia with her then-boyfriend who nicknamed her "Weiner" and lived there for eight months before returning to New York[13] to attend Hunter College. Her mother bought her two $800 plane tickets to New York City. Leggero lived for a while with Danisha, her Dominican waitress friend, her friend's family, and Danisha's grandmother in Queens, New York before finding a windowless apartment of her own in Harlem, New York.
Leggero graduated in 2000 from Hunter College with a B.A. in theater criticism. She said that she paid for her own tuition and it took nine years for her to finish college. She moved to Los Angeles shortly before the September 11 attacks; she still had her apartment but did not return.[12] For her first two years in Los Angeles Leggero did not perform.
Career
editFor a time Leggero dated Ari Shaffir. She worked as a waitress for four years and she performed at the Belly Room at The Comedy Store. She stopped performing at The Comedy Store for three years and did open mic shows at other comedy clubs. She particularly appreciated headlining on the road including at Comedy Works in Denver. On December 21, 2004 she appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
Leggero shot an unaired pilot called The Strip for NBC with Tom Lennon and Ben Garant. Along with Andy Kindler and Greg Giraldo, she was a judge on the 2010 season of NBC's Last Comic Standing, which was hosted by Craig Robinson.[14] She played the role of Emma in NBC's 2011 sitcom Free Agents. From 2010 to January 2012, she co-hosted The Lavender Hour podcast with comedian Duncan Trussell. From 2010 to 2012, she voiced Callie Maggotbone on the animated series Ugly Americans.[15] In 2012, she also appeared in six episodes of NBC's Are You There, Chelsea? as Nikki, who was Rick's (the bar manager's) ex-girlfriend. Leggero was featured in every first-season episode, starting with the second episode "Sloane's Ex".[16] She played the sex-obsessed Haley in the web series Burning Love, a spoof of the TV series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. In 2013, Leggero appeared in an episode of the Drunk History television series on Comedy Central.
On September 2, 2013, Leggero participated in the Comedy Central Roast of James Franco as one of the roasters. The next day, Brickleberry premiered its second season. She voiced the park ranger Ethel in place of Kaitlin Olson, who only featured in the first season. Tubbin' with Tash debuted on October 2, 2013, on Leggero's YouTube channel. The premise of the show is Leggero interviewing guests while in a hot tub.[17] In August 2015, she debuted her Comedy Central standup special, Live at Bimbo's (originally entitled Diamond P__), which was filmed in San Francisco.[18] In 2015, Leggero and Riki Lindhome created the Comedy Central series Another Period, which they also starred in together. The series premiered June 23, 2015, and was renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 15, 2016. On May 23, 2016, it was renewed for a third season,[19] which aired in 2018.[20] In 2016 and 2017, Leggero and husband Moshe Kasher embarked on The Honeymoon Tour, in which they performed stand-up shows and provided humorous relationship advice throughout the United States.[21]
Leggero cohosts Rat in the Kitchen on TBS, which premiered on March 31, 2022.[22][23] Her first book The World Deserves My Children, a collection of essays on motherhood in a post-apocalyptic world, was published by Gallery Books on November 15, 2022.[24]
Comedic style
editLeggero's comedy has been characterized as observational, with frequent commentary on celebrity culture and class.[25] Her approach to standup has been noted for its heavy use of persona, which largely relies on costumes and "an air of mock-refinement and elitism."[3] Journalist John Wenzel wrote that Leggero's use of persona allows her to "indict the most bloated, superficial aspects of our culture."[26] Maggie Lange of GQ noted:
All performers have a character to some extent, but Leggero is one of the few with a costume. She’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but like a seasoned comedian in socialite’s clothing. She’s always been this way. Who is the most formally dressed being at every Roast? Natasha Leggero. Who is perhaps the only person to have ever worn long white gloves to the Laugh Factory? Natasha Leggero. It’s always like she’s going to another party. While other comedians are trying to out-casual each other, she’s sitting with impeccable posture, dripping diamonds, dripping disdain.[27]
On January 20, 2024, Leggero surprised an audience at The Improv in Los Angeles, when she flashed the crowd to impersonate comedian Bert Kreischer after his act.[28][29][30]
Personal life
editIn 2015 Leggero and Moshe Kasher bought a home in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.[31] Between 2011 and 2012, Leggero dated comedian Duncan Trussell, with whom she co-hosted the podcast, The Lavender Hour.[32]
In 2015, she married fellow comedian Moshe Kasher.[33][34] During an October 3, 2017 interview with Stephen Colbert, Leggero announced that she and Kasher were expecting their first child.[35] On February 24, 2018, on Instagram, Leggero announced the birth of their daughter[36] via c-section.[37]
Works
editStand-up comedy
editYear | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2011 | Comedy Central Presents | Half-hour special |
2011 | Coke Money | Comedy Central album |
2015 | Live at Bimbo's | Comedy Central special |
2018 | The Honeymoon Stand Up Special | Netflix special with Moshe Kasher |
Talk shows
editYear | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2013 | Tubbin' with Tash | 7-episode web series[38] |
2019–present | The Endless Honeymoon Podcast | podcast with Moshe Kasher[39] |
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | The Exorcist Chronicles | Leah | |
2009 | He's Just Not That Into You | Amber Gnech | |
2013 | Tome of the Unknown | Beatrice | Short film; pilot for the miniseries Over the Garden Wall |
Dealin' with Idiots | Tipsy Jessica | ||
2014 | Neighbors | Street prostitute | |
Let's Be Cops | Annie | ||
2015 | The Breakup Girl | Kim | |
A Better You | Tamara | ||
2016 | The Do-Over | Nikki | |
2018 | Duck Duck Goose | Jin Jing | Voice[40] |
2020 | Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics | Young Carrie Fisher | |
2023 | First Time Female Director | Themberly Paris | |
Old Dads | Kelly |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | The Joe Schmo Show | Rita "The Drunk" | 2 episodes |
2005 | MTV's The 70s House | Dawn | Host; 10 episodes |
2005–08 | Reno 911! | Various | 3 episodes |
2005 | Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson | Herself (red carpet interviewer) | Uncredited; Television special |
Premium Blend | Herself | Episode: "Johnny Lampert, Roy Wood Jr., Natasha Leggero and Stephen Rannazzisi" | |
2006 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Stripper #1 | Episode: "Charlie Gets Crippled" |
2007 | 'Til Death | Mindy | Episode: "Performance Anxiety" |
Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld | Herself | Guest panelist; episode dated December 8, 2007 | |
2008–14 | Chelsea Lately | Herself | Guest panelist; various episodes |
2008 | Samantha Who? | Female Customer | Episode: "The Gallery Show" |
SuperNews! | Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin | Voice, 2 episodes | |
The Sarah Silverman Program | Dr. Leggero | Episode: "Vow Wow" | |
Worst Week | Liz | Episode: "The Gift" | |
2009 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Computer Technician | Voice, episode: "Fry Legs" |
2009–10 | The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest... | Herself | Commentator; 28 episodes |
2010 | 'Til Death | Sandy | Episode: "Snore Loser" |
2010–12 | Ugly Americans | Callie Maggotbone | Voice, main cast (31 episodes) |
2010 | Last Comic Standing | Herself | Judge (season 7); 10 episodes |
2010–11 | Nick Swardson's Pretend Time | Various | 5 episodes |
2011 | Comedy Central Presents | Herself | Episode: "Natasha Leggero" |
After Lately | Herself | 2 episodes | |
Free Agents | Emma Parker | Main cast; 8 episodes | |
2012 | Are You There, Chelsea? | Nikki Natoli | 6 episodes |
The Life & Times of Tim | Female Rodney | Voice, 2 episodes | |
China, IL | Jen | Voice, episode: "Frankensteve" | |
Regular Show | LaDonna / Girl in Line | Voice, episode: "Access Denied"[40] | |
2012–13 | The Burn with Jeff Ross | Herself | 2 episodes |
2012 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Mona Lisa | Episode: "Time Angels" |
2013 | Out There | Henrietta Miller | Voice, recurring cast |
2013–15 | Brickleberry | Ethel | Voice, main cast (season 2–3)[40] |
2013 | Whitney | Danielle | Episode: "Lost in Transition" |
The Jeselnik Offensive | Panelist | 1 episode | |
Community | Mysti | Episode: "Heroic Origins" | |
Ghost Ghirls | Sissy | Episode: "Hooker With A Heart of Ghoul" | |
Arrested Development | Jackie | Episode: "Borderline Personalities" | |
Drunk History | Herself | Narrator; episode: "San Francisco" | |
High School USA! | Rachel Lewis | Voice, episode: "Adoption" | |
Comedy Central Roast of James Franco | Herself (roaster) | Television special | |
The League | Stand-up teacher | Episode: "The Bringer Show" | |
2013–17 | @midnight | Herself | 7 episodes |
2013 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Judy Elevenuda | Episode: "Andy Dick Wears a Black Suit Jacket & Skinny Tie" |
2013–14 | Betas | Brenda | 3 episodes |
Lucas Bros. Moving Co. | Natasha | Voice, 3 episodes | |
2013 | Key & Peele | White Woman #2 | Episode: "The Power of Wings" |
The Birthday Boys | Superintendent | Episode: "Going All the Way" | |
2014 | Suburgatory | Nora | 4 episodes |
Inside Amy Schumer | Mia | Episode: "Slut-Shaming" | |
Clarence | Nature Kate / Heida | Voice, episode: "Nature Clarence" | |
Garfunkel & Oates | Vivian St. Charles | 3 episodes | |
2015 | TripTank | Kim, Female Dog | Voice, 2 episodes[40] |
Marry Me | Laguna Matata | Episode: "Spoil Me" | |
Mulaney | Rodeo | Episode: "Life is a Series of Different Apartments" | |
2015–18 | Another Period | Lillian Bellacourt | Main cast, 32 episodes |
2015 | Modern Family | Dana | Episode: "Fight or Flight" |
The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber | Herself | Television special | |
Drunk History | Elizabeth Bisland | Episode: "Journalism" | |
2016 | Superstore | Shoplifter | Episode: "Shoplifter" |
2016–17 | Dice | Carmen | Main cast, 13 episodes |
American Dad! | Planet Hollywood Waitress / Karen | Voice, 2 episodes | |
2016 | BoJack Horseman | Heather | Voice, episode: "Start Spreading the News" |
2017–19 | Funny You Should Ask | Herself | 98 episodes |
2017 | Justice League Action | Poison Ivy | Voice, 4 episodes[40] |
2018 | Teachers | Honour | Episode: "Leggo My Preggo" |
Alone Together | Nora | Episode: "Daypassers" | |
A Million Little Things | Joyce | Episode: "Christmas Wishlist" | |
Comedy Knockout | Herself | 2 episodes | |
2019 | The Real Bros of Simi Valley | Cheryl | Episode: "Open House" |
Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Additional voices | Episode: "Junkin' Janna/A Spell with No Name" | |
Historical Roasts | Mary Todd Lincoln | Episode: "Abraham Lincoln" | |
American Princess | Heidi | Episode: "Down There" | |
Adam Ruins Everything | Music Video Director | Episode: "Adam Ruins Music" | |
Crank Yankers | Herself | Episode: "Adam Carolla, David Koechner & Natasha Leggero" | |
2020 | AJ and the Queen | Kath | Episode: "Little Rock" |
Paradise PD | Ethel | Voice, episode: "Paradise PD Meets Brickleberry" | |
The Midnight Gospel | Peggy | Voice, episode: "Taste of the King"[40] | |
Broke | Elizabeth | Main cast, 13 episodes | |
Hoops | Shannon | Voice, main cast (10 episodes) | |
2020–21 | Ollie's Pack | Ivy / Dahlia | Voice, recurring cast |
2022 | Fast Foodies | Herself | Season 2, episode 3[41] |
Rat in the Kitchen[42] | Herself | Host; TV series | |
Monster High: The Movie | Skullette | Voice, television film | |
2023 | The Great American Joke Off | Herself | Recurring panelist, various episodes |
Stars on Mars | Herself | Contestant, 4 episodes | |
Monster High 2 | Skullette | Voice, television film | |
Snake Oil | Herself | Celebrity advisor, 2 episodes |
Web
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Fire Guys | Black Ladder Team leader | Episode 3 |
2012–13 | Burning Love | Haley | 14 episodes |
2012 | Escape My Life | Skylar Browning | 8 episodes |
2015 | Joe Rogan Experience | Herself | Podcast episode 653 |
The Adam Carolla Show | Herself | Podcast May 31 | |
Limbo | Lucy / Lucifer | Independent short film | |
2016 | WTF with Marc Maron | Herself | Episode 707 |
2022 | The Bald and the Beautiful | Herself | Podcast episode 92 |
2023 | Bertcast | Herself | Podcast episode 553 |
Notes
edit- ^ A June 2017 profile in Forbes noted that Leggero was 43 years old.[3] On March 26, 2017, Leggero re-tweeted a "Happy Birthday" wish directed at her from Showtime Networks, which was posted the same day.[4] Her birthdate of March 26 is corroborated by public records available through FamilySearch.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Chelsea Lately". TV.com. E!. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
- ^ Leggero, Natasha (2022). The World Deserves My Children. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781982137076.
- ^ a b c Espionza, Russ (June 15, 2017). "Frustrated To Fabulous: The Humble Beginnings Of Natasha Leggero". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ Leggero, Natasha [@natashaleggero] (March 26, 2017). "Thank you! Season 2 coming soon!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch Archived 2022-06-01 at the Wayback Machine (22 May 2014), Natasha T Leggero, Residence, Los Angeles, California, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
- ^ "Natasha Leggero Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ Leggero, Natasha (June 16, 2010). "Natasha Leggero". The Adam Carolla Show (Interview). Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
- ^ Leggero, Natasha (November 13, 2013). "Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher". The Artie Lange Show (Interview). Interviewed by Artie Lange. Video on YouTube.
- ^ "Joe Rogan Experience #653". YouTube. May 27, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ "'Abortions cool' in Judaism, says newly Jewish comedian". The Times of Israel. June 2, 2016. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ "Kevin Haas: Rockford East grad Natasha Leggero revives 9-year-old Taco Bell vote in comedy special". rrstar.com. August 25, 2015. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Maron, Marc (May 16, 2016). "WTF Podcast with Marc Maron #707". WTF Podcast (Interview). Interviewed by Natasha Leggero. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- ^ "Late Show with Stephen Colbert". CBS. 20 Jun 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 Jun 2016.
- ^ "Pilot Season 2010-2011". Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
- ^ Ohanesian, Liz (March 22, 2012). "Natasha Leggero on Ugly Americans Voice Acting and What It's Like Being 'Cast as Domineering Bitches'". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ Hughes, Jason (January 19, 2012). "Natasha Leggero Plays Rick's Rude Ex On 'Are You There, Chelsea?'". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ Natasha Leggero Archived 2014-05-09 at the Wayback Machine. YouTube. Retrieved on June 5, 2014.
- ^ McCarthy, Sean L. (August 22, 2015). "Natasha Leggero: 'Live at Bimbo's'". The Comic's Comic. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Petski, Denise (2016-05-23). "'Another Period' Renewed For Third Season By Comedy Central". Archived from the original on 2016-07-25. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
- ^ @natashaleggero (28 August 2017). "Another Period S3 coming 2018!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Coviello, Will (July 13, 2017). "Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero perform at One Eyed Jacks July 19". Gambit. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ "First Look at 'Rat in the Kitchen' Cooking Competition with Natasha Leggero & Ludo Lefebvre". MSN. Archived from the original on 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
- ^ "'Rat in the Kitchen' is a Cooking Competition with an Unusual Twist". Archived from the original on 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
- ^ ""The-World-Deserves-My-Children Natasha-Leggero" Book Results on Simon & Schuster". www.simonandschuster.com.
- ^ Hesse, Josiah M. (March 29, 2013). "The ten best comedy shows in April". Westword. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Wenzel, John (2010-11-17). "TV regular Natasha Leggero prefers live stand-up". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- ^ Lange, Maggie (August 21, 2015). "Nobody in Comedy Commits Like Natasha Leggero". GQ. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
- ^ Ferlita, Gabriella (2024-01-22). "Natasha Leggero calls out double standards: 'If the boys can do it, why can't the girls?'". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ Monaghan, Becca (2024-01-22). "Comedian strips off for show: 'If boys can do it, why can't girls?'". indy100. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ Chrisp, Kitty (2024-01-22). "Comedian Natasha Leggero gets fully topless on stage to make brilliant point". Metro (British newspaper). Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ David, Mark (December 19, 2016). "Married Comedians Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher Lease Out Silver Lake Cottage". Variety. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
- ^ Marchese, David (October 21, 2011). "Dressed to Kill: A Day in the Life of Rising Comedienne Natasha Leggero". Spin. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ "Natasha Leggero Doesn't Want To Plan Her Wedding". YouTube. July 29, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Comedian Natasha Leggero Talks Getting High on YouTube Plus, the highbrow TV drama that always puts her to sleep". AdWeek. June 23, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ Burford, Corinna (October 4, 2017). "Natasha Leggero Reveals the Worst Part of Being Pregnant in 2017". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Leggero, Natasha (24 February 2018). "Finally have a toilet baby of my very own". Instagram. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ^ Leggero, Natasha (19 April 2018). "Natasha Leggero Wasn't a Fan of Skin-To-Skin Contact with Her Newborn". YouTube. Interviewed by Conan O'Brien. CONAN on TBS.
- ^ "Tubbin With Tash". www.tubefilter.com. 4 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- ^ "The Endless Honeymoon Podcast on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Natasha Leggero (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 1, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ "Natasha Leggero". Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ^ "Rat in the Kitchen". Archived from the original on 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2022-04-24.