Naomi Ekperigin Explained

Birth Place:Harlem, New York, U.S.
Alma Mater:Wesleyan University
Occupation:Comedian, actress, writer
Years Active:2010–present
Spouse:Andy Beckerman

Naomi Ekperigin is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer. She wrote for the Comedy Central sitcom Broad City from 2015–2016, the NBC sitcom Great News from 2017–2018, and the Apple TV+ series Mythic Quest from 2020–2022.[1] She has had guest spots voicing roles in the animated series Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, American Dad, Tuca & Bertie, and Central Park.

Early life and education

Ekperigin was born and raised in Harlem, with a father from Nigeria and a mother from Detroit.[2] She attended the Dalton School and graduated from Wesleyan University in 2005.[3] In college, Ekperigin began performing comedy and doing improv.[4]

Career

After graduating from college, Ekperigin spent a year touring with the National Theatre for the Deaf,[4] and she returned to New York in 2007 where she got a start doing stand-up while working a day job at an art magazine. When that magazine folded in 2013, Ekperigin found a position working as a writer's assistant for Broad City. She was promoted to staff writer in the show's second season and served as a writer on season 3 as well.

In 2015, Ekperigin was a nominee, with the Broad City writing staff, for the .[5] Splitsider praised her work as "savvy, smart, funny and politically active"[6] and Essence named her to its list of "8 Black Comediennes Who are 'Ready' for SNL."[7]

In May 2016, Comedy Central announced that Ekperigin would create a half-hour special for the network,[8] taped in New Orleans in June 2016.[9] September 29, 2016, she made her late-night debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Her half-hour special premiered on Comedy Central just two weeks later, October 14 at midnight. Ekperigin also co-wrote a television pilot for Comedy Central with former Daily Show correspondent Jessica Williams.[10] Ekperigin has also written for Difficult People and written for and appeared on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell.[11]

She was a regular performer on the WNYC podcast 2 Dope Queens. Other projects include a pilot for TruTV called Inside Caucasia, developed with Ekperigin's partner, comedian Andy Beckerman.[12]

In June 2017, she joined the writing staff of the NBC sitcom Great News, starring Briga Heelan, Andrea Martin, and John Michael Higgins. She then went on to write for season 2 of the CBS All Access show No Activity and the HBO limited series Mrs. Fletcher, starring Kathryn Hahn.

She has a recurring role in the Apple TV+ show Mythic Quest as Carol, the beleaguered HR person at a video game company. She was promoted to main role in season 3.

Filmography

Film

Ref.
2019 Blush Irritated Angel Committee Member [13]
2021 Yes Day Miss Hoffling
2022 Me Time Jill
2023 Family Switch Naomi

Television

Ref.
2011 The Denial Show Writer; 2 episodes
2013–2014 Above Average Presents Mom #1 / Dragon 3 episodes
2015 Adam Ruins Everything Shaina Episode: "Adam Ruins Work"
2015–2016 Broad City Staff writer; 20 episodes
2017–2018 Great News Story editor; 13 episodes
2018 Alone Together Samantha Episode: "Nurse Esther"
2018–2019 Single Parents Miss Adams 3 episodes
2019 Bob's Burgers Maya Voice; Episode: "Land of the Loft"
Mrs. Fletcher Co-producer; 7 episodes
2020 Corporate Devin Episode: "Fuck You Money"
2020–2022 Family Guy Voice; 2 episodes
Mythic Quest Carol 15 episodes / Writer (1 episode)
also supervising producer (10 episodes)
2021 Cinema Toast Sophia Voice; Episode: "Warehouse Friends"
Tuca & Bertie Performer Voice; Episode: "Bird Mechanics"
2021–2022 Central Park Jogger #3 / Salesperson / Jan Voice; 8 episodes
2022 Search Party Dr. Pigeon Episode: "Song of Songs"
The Glue Factory Whoopi Trotberg / Lady Showdiva Voice; 2 episodes
2023 Strange Planet Straight Forward Ref. / Being #1 Voice; Episode: "Family, Fandom, Footorb"
American Dad Orderly Voice; Episode: "Productive Panic"
2024 Hacks Naomi Ekperigin Episode: "The Roast of Debra Vance"

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Czajkowski. Elise. Naomi Ekperigin - Events in NYC - Arts and Entertainment Guide. 15 July 2016. www.nytimes.com.
  2. News: Regatao. Gisele. One NY Artist: Stand-up Comedian Naomi Ekperigin. 15 July 2016. WNYC. September 7, 2013.
  3. Web site: Yahoo! profiles comedian Naomi Ekperigin '05 . November 3, 2015. Wesleyan University. Caroline MacNeille . 2016-07-16.
  4. Web site: Broad City writer Naomi Ekperigin talks breaking into TV and creative uses for drink tickets. Eric Silver. February 17, 2016. Brokelyn. 2016-07-18.
  5. News: McNary. Dave. WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards. 15 July 2016. Variety. 14 February 2016.
  6. News: Madrid. Monique. Confronting Tragedy with Comedy with Naomi Ekperigin. 15 July 2016. Splitsider. 27 July 2015.
  7. News: Ramsey. Franchesca. 8 Black Comediennes Who Are 'Ready' for SNL. 15 July 2016. Essence. 16 October 2013.
  8. News: Fox. Jesse David. Some Nice News in the World of Women in Comedy. 15 July 2016. Vulture. May 9, 2016.
  9. News: Scott. Mike. Comedy Central stand-up series 'Half Hour' to shoot fifth season in New Orleans. 15 July 2016. The Times-Picayune. May 9, 2016.
  10. News: Andreeva. Nellie. Kevin Hart Series, Amy Schumer Projects, Channing Tatum Animated Presentation On Comedy Central's Development Slate. 15 July 2016. Deadline. 31 March 2016.
  11. News: Byrne. Matt. Naomi Ekperigin is funny. 15 July 2016. Brightest Young Things. May 11, 2016.
  12. News: Tempus. Alexandra. 'Broad City' Writer and Comedian Naomi Ekperigin Is Your New Favorite Human. 15 July 2016. Marie Claire. 11 February 2016.
  13. Web site: Naomi Ekperigin - IMDB. May 16, 2024. IMDB.