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.
Naomi Ekperigin | |
|---|---|
 Ekperigin in 2022 | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actress, writer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Spouse | Andy Beckerman |
Early life and education
editEkperigin was born and raised in Harlem,[2] with a father from Nigeria and a mother from Detroit.[3] She attended the Dalton School[2] and graduated from Wesleyan University in 2005.[4] In college, Ekperigin began performing comedy and doing improv.[5]
Career
editAfter graduating from college, Ekperigin spent a year touring with the National Theatre for the Deaf,[5] 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.[2][6] When that magazine folded in 2013, Ekperigin found a position working as a writer's assistant for Broad City.[2] 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 Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series.[7] 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."[8]
In May 2016, Comedy Central announced that Ekperigin would create a half-hour special for the network,[9] taped in New Orleans in June 2016.[10] 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.[11] Ekperigin has also written for Difficult People and written for and appeared on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell.[12]
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.[2]
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
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Blush | Irritated Angel Committee Member | [13] | |
| 2021 | Yes Day | Miss Hoffling | [13] | |
| 2022 | Me Time | Jill | [13] | |
| 2023 | Family Switch | Naomi | [13] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Denial Show | — | Writer; 2 episodes | [13] |
| 2013–2014 | Above Average Presents | Mom #1 / Dragon | 3 episodes | [13] |
| 2015 | Adam Ruins Everything | Shaina | Episode: "Adam Ruins Work" | [13] |
| 2015–2016 | Broad City | — | Staff writer; 20 episodes | [13] |
| 2017–2018 | Great News | — | Story editor; 13 episodes | [13] |
| 2018 | Alone Together | Samantha | Episode: "Nurse Esther" | [13] |
| 2018–2019 | Single Parents | Miss Adams | 3 episodes | [13] |
| 2019 | Bob's Burgers | Maya | Voice; Episode: "Land of the Loft" | [13] |
| Mrs. Fletcher | — | Co-producer; 7 episodes | [13] | |
| 2020 | Corporate | Devin | Episode: "Fuck You Money" | [13] |
| 2020–2022 | Family Guy | Therapist / Hoda Kotb | Voice; 2 episodes | [13] |
| Mythic Quest | Carol | 15 episodes / Writer (1 episode) also supervising producer (10 episodes) |
[13] | |
| 2021 | Cinema Toast | Sophia | Voice; Episode: "Warehouse Friends" | [13] |
| Tuca & Bertie | Performer | Voice; Episode: "Bird Mechanics" | [13] | |
| 2021–2022 | Central Park | Jogger #3 / Salesperson / Jan | Voice; 8 episodes | [13] |
| 2022 | Search Party | Dr. Pigeon | Episode: "Song of Songs" | [13] |
| The Glue Factory | Whoopi Trotberg / Lady Showdiva | Voice; 2 episodes | [13] | |
| 2023 | Strange Planet | Straight Forward Ref. / Being #1 | Voice; Episode: "Family, Fandom, Footorb" | [13] |
| American Dad | Orderly | Voice; Episode: "Productive Panic" | [13] | |
| 2024 | Hacks | Naomi Ekperigin | Episode: "The Roast of Debra Vance" | [13] |
References
edit- ^ Czajkowski, Elise. "Naomi Ekperigin - Events in NYC - Arts and Entertainment Guide". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Tempus, Alexandra (11 February 2016). "'Broad City' Writer and Comedian Naomi Ekperigin Is Your New Favorite Human". Marie Claire. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Regatao, Gisele (September 7, 2013). "One NY Artist: Stand-up Comedian Naomi Ekperigin". WNYC. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Caroline MacNeille (November 3, 2015). "Yahoo! profiles comedian Naomi Ekperigin '05". Wesleyan University. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ a b Eric Silver (February 17, 2016). "Broad City writer Naomi Ekperigin talks breaking into TV and creative uses for drink tickets". Brokelyn. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ^ a b Madrid, Monique (27 July 2015). "Confronting Tragedy with Comedy with Naomi Ekperigin". Splitsider. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ McNary, Dave (14 February 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Ramsey, Franchesca (16 October 2013). "8 Black Comediennes Who Are 'Ready' for SNL". Essence. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Fox, Jesse David (May 9, 2016). "Some Nice News in the World of Women in Comedy". Vulture. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Scott, Mike (May 9, 2016). "Comedy Central stand-up series 'Half Hour' to shoot fifth season in New Orleans". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (31 March 2016). "Kevin Hart Series, Amy Schumer Projects, Channing Tatum Animated Presentation On Comedy Central's Development Slate". Deadline. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Byrne, Matt (May 11, 2016). "Naomi Ekperigin is funny". Brightest Young Things. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Naomi Ekperigin - IMDB". IMDB. Retrieved May 16, 2024.