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Kate Berlant

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kate Berlant
Kate Berlant holding a microphone onstage
Berlant performing in January 2019
Born (1987-07-16) July 16, 1987 (age 37)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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

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Kate Elizabeth Méndez Berlant was born in Los Angeles on July 16, 1987,[1][2][3] the daughter of performer Helen (née Méndez) and artist Tony Berlant.[4] She is of Spanish descent on her mother's side,[5][6] while her father has Israeli-Jewish and Russian-Jewish ancestry.[7][8] She received a Bachelor of Arts and then a Master of Arts in performance studies from New York University.[9]

Career

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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]

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, 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]

Personal life

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Berlant lives in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.[30] She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[34] She is in a relationship with MUNA band member Naomi McPherson.[35]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Family Dinner Mom Short film
2014 The Greggs Shelley
2015 Shopping Short film
2016 I Love You Both Ivy
Dean Naomi
Buster's Mal Heart Phone Sex Operator (voice)
2018 Sorry to Bother You Diana DeBauchery
Little Bitches Counselor
Happy Anniversary Lindsay
Duck Butter Kathy
2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Ticket Saleswoman
After Class Jackie Cohn
Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein Monica Fulton
2022 Don't Worry Darling Peg
2023 First Time Female Director Clara Ann
Dream Scenario Mary

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Lizzie McGuire Student #2 Episode: "Best Dressed for Much Less"
2014 Don't Walk Smug Local Episode: "Which Hood?"
2014 Crazy House Television film
2015 Monica Denise Episode: "Episode 2"
2016–2018 Animals. Sapphire / Various (voice) 4 episodes
2016–2019 Those Who Can't Kate McGill / Zandra 2 episodes
2016 Netflix Presents: The Characters Various 2 episodes
2016–2020 BoJack Horseman Various (voice) 3 episodes
2016–2017 Clarence Ms. Julip (voice) 4 episodes
2016 Transparent Ronit Episode: "Oh Holy Night"
2016 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
2017 Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Morningstar Episode: "Dean's Legacy"
2017 Danger & Eggs Rhonda the Relator (voice) Episode: "Tube of Pain / Broccoli"
2017 Comrade Detective Reporter (voice) Episode: "The Whole World is Watching"
2017 Tim and Eric Awesome 10 Year Anniversary Version, Great Job? Linda Television film
2017–2018 Ghosted Linda 7 episodes
2017 Easy Lauren Episode: "Conjugality"
2018 Another Period Reporter Episode: "Sex Nickelodeon"
2018 Alone Together Jess Episode: "Sleepover"
2018 Taskmaster US Self 8 episodes
2018 High Maintenance Reina Episode: "#goalz"
2018 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"
2019 Life in Pieces Eliza Episode: "Birth Meddling Jacket Denial"
2019 Tuca & Bertie Woman Taking Up Space (voice) 3 episodes
2019 The Good Place Esmerelda Episode: "The Answer"[36]
2020 Our Cartoon President Lara Trump (voice) Episode: "Warren vs. Facebook"
2020 Indebted Maggie Episode: "Everybody's Talking About the Shiva"
2020 The Shivering Truth Lily Liblin (voice) Episode: "Nesslessness"
2021 Close Enough River Lake (voice) Episode: "Time Hooch/World's Greatest Teacher"
2021 Loki Ren Faire Woman Episode: "The Variant"
2021 American Dad! HG Member (voice) Episode: "Hot Scoomp"
2021 Bob's Burgers Shampooer (voice) Episode: "Seven-tween Again"
2021 Summer Camp Island Striped Horse (voice) 4 episodes
2021 The Fungies! Margot Mafungo / Mom (voice) Episode: "Pascal's BIG Fan"
2022 Space Force Sal Jr. (voice) Episode: "The Hack"
2022 Life & Beth Kate Episode: "Life & Beth"
2022 A League of Their Own Shirley Cohen 8 episodes
2022 Archer Unknown Character (voice) Episode: "Distraction Action"
2022 Central Park Unknown Character (voice) 2 episodes
2022 Would It Kill You to Laugh? Various Sketch comedy special
2022 Cinnamon in the Wind Herself Stand-up comedy special
2024 Family Guy Customer (voice) Episode: "Lifeguard Meg"
2024 Fantasmas (TV series) Madame Victory Episode: "Looking4Twinks2S**k"
2024 Doctor Odyssey Agnes Simkin Episode: "Wellness Week"

References

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  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Zinoman, Jason (August 23, 2022). "Kate Berlant Can't Hide Any Longer". The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  31. ^ a b 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. ^ @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.
  35. ^ "'The Bear' Season 3 premiere in L.A." New York Daily News. June 26, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  36. ^ 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.
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