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Paula Pell Biography

Birth Name:Paula Pell

Birth Place:Joliet, Illinois, United States

Profession Actress, Writer, Producer, Soundtrack, Script department

Fast Facts

Received the 2016 Clarence Brown Theatre Artistic Achievment Award
Graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Began writing for "Saturday Night Live" in 1995 and met fellow writer James Anderson, with whom she has written several sketches and screenplays
Started out performing as a character at Disney World's Pleasure Island
Quote: "People of different diversities have to really put themselves out there because no one is going to come find them if they're really hidden in that community, super exclusively․"
Best known as the head writer of "Saturday Night Live" and for her role as Paula Hornberger in "30 Rock․"
Was a writing supervisor for "Saturday Night Live" for three years before joining the writing staff in 2005, and was promoted to head writer after Tina Fey left to start her own sitcom
Has often worked on projects featuring actress Tina Fey

Awards

2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2001WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: winner
2002WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2003WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2007WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: winner
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2009WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2010WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: winner
2010WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: winner
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2011WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2012WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2013WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2014WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2015WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2016BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
2016BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
2017WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: winner
2021HCA Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy: nominated
2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series: nominated
2025Annie-Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Media Production: winner
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: winner
2026WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Specials: nominated