Biography
Who is Amy Poehler?
Early Life and Education
Amy Meredith Poehler was born in Newton, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, on September 16, 1971. Her parents, Eileen and William Poehler, both worked as school teachers. She has a younger brother named Greg Poehler, who is an actor and producer. Amy grew up in Burlington, Massachusetts, a town she described as blue-collar. Her family raised her as a Catholic.
Comedy Career Beginnings
Amy's college improv experience inspired her to pursue comedy professionally. After college, she moved to Chicago and began taking improv classes at ImprovOlympic, where Charna Halpern was one of her teachers. Early in her career, Amy worked various jobs, including waitressing, to support herself. Through ImprovOlympic, she studied under Del Close and met Tina Fey, who would become a frequent collaborator. Amy and Fey both joined a Second City touring company, and Amy later became part of one of Second City's main companies.
Saturday Night Live and Film Work
Amy Poehler joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) for the 2001–2002 season, making her debut in the first episode after the 9/11 attacks. She was promoted to a full cast member in her first season, a distinction achieved by only two others before her and the first woman to do so. Amy created memorable recurring characters like the hyperactive ten-year-old Kaitlyn and Bronx Beat talk show co-host Betty Caruso. She also performed numerous impressions, including Hillary Clinton, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Jackson.
Awards and Other Ventures
Amy Poehler has received numerous honors throughout her career. She earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, Television Series Musical or Comedy for her work on Parks and Recreation. In 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her contributions to comedy. Amy also won an MTV Movie Award for Best Jaw Dropping Moment. She was recognized with an Entrepreneur in Entertainment Award. In 2025, she won the first Golden Globe Award for Best Podcast for her show Good Hang with Amy Poehler. Also, she was included on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011.
Personal Life
Amy Poehler was married to Will Arnett. She also had relationships with Matt Besser and Nick Kroll. Amy is a mother of two children, Archie Arnett and Abel Arnett.
Birthday and age
Amy Poehler was born on September 16, 1971, which makes Amy 55 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Amy shares the date with 32 other famous people.
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