Vanessa Bayer

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  • Emmy-Nominated Comedian and Actor
  • Seven-Season Cast Member, 'Saturday Night Live'
  • Host, 'How Did We Get Weird?' Podcast and Children's Book Author
  • Cancer Survivor and Award-Winning Advocate

Emmy Award-nominated actor, writer, comedian, podcaster, and author Vanessa Bayer is known for her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, which garnered her an Emmy nomination and an American Comedy Award. Other notable projects include NBC’s Will and Grace, FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, ViacomCBS’s Drunk History, HBO’s Crashing, and ABC’s Modern Family and Single Parents, and films include Trainwreck, DC League of Super Pets, and Ibiza, among many others. Bayer also co-hosts the interview podcast How Did We Get Weird? with her brother, and is the co-creator and star of Showtime’s I Love That For You, a comedy series inspired by her own story of overcoming childhood leukemia. One of Hollywood’s funniest actors working today, Bayer brings comedy and commentary to your next event and makes an impact for audiences of all kinds.

Bayer’s children’s book How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? teaches children and adults how to support friends through long-term illnesses, inspired by her own battle with leukemia. For her advocacy raising awareness, she was honored with The Gilda Award from Gilda’s Club. Bayer is the Co-Creator, Executive Producer, and star of Showtime’s new series I Love That For You, which is inspired by her own story of overcoming childhood leukemia. Bayer shares with humor and candor insights from her rising stardom, her journey overcoming adversity, and how she cultivated resilience through comedy and storytelling in memorable keynotes and conversations.

 


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Hostin - Opening remarks to the Variety Power of Women NY [5:28] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Vanessa Bayer
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Comic Relief: Overcoming Adversity

Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian VANESSA BAYER is the author of children’s book How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? and the Co-Creator and star of Showtime’s new series I Love That For You, which are both inspired by her own story overcoming childhood leukemia. Bayer shares insights from he ...

Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian VANESSA BAYER is the author of children’s book How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? and the Co-Creator and star of Showtime’s new series I Love That For You, which are both inspired by her own story overcoming childhood leukemia. Bayer shares insights from her journey overcoming adversity, and how she cultivated resilience through comedy and storytelling in memorable keynotes and conversations.

Comedy and Commentary with Vanessa Bayer

Emmy Award-nominated actor, writer, comedian, podcaster, and author VANESSA BAYER, best known for her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, is one of Hollywood’s funniest actors working today. Bayer brings comedy and commentary to your next event and makes an impact for audiences of all kinds in mem ...

Emmy Award-nominated actor, writer, comedian, podcaster, and author VANESSA BAYER, best known for her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, is one of Hollywood’s funniest actors working today. Bayer brings comedy and commentary to your next event and makes an impact for audiences of all kinds in memorable keynotes and conversations.

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Biography

Emmy-nominated actress, writer and comedian Vanessa Bayer has made her mark on Hollywood. Known for her seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, Bayer is one of Hollywood’s funniest and most talented actresses working today.

Bayer is currently in production for Showtime’s new comedy series I Love That For You which she co-created with Jeremy Beiler. Bayer stars in the show along with Molly Shannon and Jenifer Lewis. Inspired by Bayer’s own story of overcoming childhood leukemia, I Love That For You follows Bayer’s Joanna Gold as she dreams of hosting an at-home shopping channel, attempts to rid herself of the “cancer girl” label, and experiences romance for the first time. I Love That For You is expected to premiere in Spring 2022.

Bayer will next be seen in DC Comics’ animated Warner Bros.’ film DC League of Super Pets as the voice of PB the pig. She stars alongside an all-star cast including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, John Krasinski, Kate McKinnon, and Keanu Reeves. DC League of Super Pets follows a team of shelter-animals who were given super powers and is set to premiere on May 20, 2022.

Additionally, Bayer and her brother Jonah currently host the podcast How Did We Get Weird? Nostalgia-filled, hilarious, and surprisingly weird, How Did We Get Weird? welcomes guests who were also lil weirdo kids before taking the world by storm like the Bayer siblings. Past guests include Amy Schumer, Bridget Everett, and Chris Gethard.

In Winter 2021, Bayer starred in Gloria Sanchez Productions and Lionsgates’ Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Bayer starred opposite an incredible cast of Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dorman, and Daymon Wayans Jr. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar premiered on February 12, 2021.

In Summer 2019, Bayer published the children’s book, How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear?, which teaches children, and adults, how to support friends with long-term illness.

From 2016 through 2020, Bayer guest starred on NBC’s Will and Grace, FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, ViacomCBS’ Drunk History, Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and ABC’s Single Parents. She co-starred in Lionsgate’s Wander Darkly and the Netflix’s television series short Trolls: The Beat Goes On!

In 2018, Bayer starred in the Netflix film Ibiza, a comedy that follows three best friends as they seek out a star DJ in Spain. Bayer starred opposite Gillian Jacobs, Richard Madden, and Michaela Watkins. The film premiered on May 25, 2018.

From 2010 through 2017, Bayer was a star cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Bayer is most fondly remembered for some of her recurring characters of Laura Parsons, Brecky, Rebecca Stern-Markowicz, and Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy. Bayer was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and an American Comedy Award for her work on Saturday Night Live.

In 2015, Bayer starred in Universal Pictures’ Trainwreck, written by Amy Schumer and directed by Judd Apatow, as Nikki, the best friend to Schumer’s Amy. The star comedic cast also includes Bill Hader, Brie Larson and Colin Quinn. Trainwreck premiered on July 17, 2015.

On television, Bayer’s credits include Hulu’s Shrill, AppleTV+’s Helpsters, FX’s What We do in the Shadows, Netflix’s Love,  HBO’s Crashing, Broadway Video television and IFC Original Productions’ Portlandia, ABC’s Modern Family, Above Average’s Sound Advice, FX Productions’ Man Seeking Woman, and FOX’s The Mindy Project. Bayer has lent her voice to ViacomCBS’ TripTank, ViacomCBS’ Wallykazam!, FOX’s The Simpsons, and Hulu’s The Awesomes. Bayer’s film credits include Paramount’s Office Christmas Party, Netflix’s The Polka King, and Netflix’s Carrie Pilby.

Raised in Ohio, Bayer graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 and currently resides in Los Angeles.