Bio
Amy Poehler is an American comedian and actress best known as a cast member and parody news anchor on the television comedy series Saturday Night Live, from 2001 until shortly after the birth of her child in 2008.
She also starred as mid-level bureaucrat Leslie Knope on the comedy Parks and Recreation. The series is a half-hour mockumentary that looks at the exciting world of local government.
The year 2008 was a very busy year for Poehler. Between her seventh season of Saturday Night Live (and her fourth as the co-anchor of Weekend Update), a trio of films and a new animated project for Nickelodeon, she was very active.
Poehler received her first Emmy nomination in 2008 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Saturday Night Live. Due to a change in eligibility, this is an unprecedented nomination, making her the first performer in SNL history to land a spot in this category.
Poehler also continues to produce, write and provide the voice of Bessie in the Nickelodeon animated television series The Mighty B.
Poehler could be seen starring opposite Tina Fey in Universal Pictures' hit comedy film Baby Mama and also lent her voice to the animated film Horton Hears a Who! with Jim Carrey and Steve Carell.
Poehler had a starring role in the ice-skating comedy Blades of Glory, alongside Will Ferrell, Will Arnett and Jon Heder, and she also provided the voice to the boxoffice smash hit Shrek the Third as Snow White.
Her other feature credits include the hit comedy Mean Girls, Mr. Woodcock, Southland Tales, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, The Ex, Wet Hot American Summer and Envy.
Renowned as a sketch comedian, Poehler boasts an impressive arsenal of characters - from the hyperactive Caitlin and one-legged reality show contestant Amber to a manic host of Good Morning Meth.
Poehler has also contributed impressions of Kelly Ripa, Avril Lavigne, Sharon Osbourne, Paula Abdul, Senator Hillary Clinton, Sharon Stone and Michael Jackson.
Poehler joined the SNL cast from the Upright Citizens Brigade, a sketch/improv troupe originally formed in Chicago. She and the U.C.B. relocated to New York where they had a sketch show on Comedy Central for three seasons on which she was both a writer and performer.
In addition, they opened a theatre currently regarded as the premier sketch/improv comedy venue in New York City. Poehler and the U.C.B. were featured in A.S.S.S.S.C.A.T.: Improv an improvised comedy special on Bravo.
Poehler has made numerous appearances on television ranging from Late Night with Conan O'Brien (as recurring character Stacey, Andy Richter's little sister), Arrested Development, Wonder Showzen and Undeclared. She also was a voice on O'Grady and The Simpsons.
Poehler lives in New York City with her husband, Will Arnett, and their son.