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 childhood leukemia. For her advocacy, she was honored with The Gilda Award from Gilda’s Club. 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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Vanessa Bayer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Vanessa Bayer
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A Comedic Conversation 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.

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.

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Biography

Vanessa is best known for her seven seasons on legendary comedy series, Saturday Night Live, where she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her hilarious and memorable work. She is currently working on the loosely autobiographical Showtime pilot, Big Deal, that she wrote with SNL alum Jeremy Beiler, in which she will star.

On television, Vanessa was most recently seen as 'Amy/Friday' on Will & Grace and as 'Officer Debbie Fogel' on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.  Vanessa's other television credits include Shrill, I Think You Should Leave, Drunk History, What We Do in the Shadows, Single Parents, Love, and Portlandia, among others.    

Bayer lent her voice to Universal Pictures' animated feature Despicable Me 2 and starred in the series Sound Advice that she co-created with her brother Jonah for Broadway Video's Above Average. She starred in the Netflix original movie, Ibiza, produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay & Nathan Kahan. She also featured in the box office hit, Trainwreck alongside Amy Schumer. Most recently, Vanessa appeared in the independent feature Wander Darkly starring opposite Diego Luna and Sienna Miller. Bayer can also be seen in Susan Johnson’s independent feature, Carrie Pilby, Dreamworks feature Office Christmas Party, and the indie film The Polka King.    

Last year her children’s book, How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear?, was widely received and revered by children and critics everywhere. She also received The Gilda Award from Gilda’s Club, which benefits people living with cancer.

Bayer came to the cast of SNL from iO Chicago, the Annoyance Theater and the Second City. She starred in the acerbic puppet show Felt and the improv team Revolver at iO Chicago. She wrote and performed in the Annoyance Theatre's Swear Jar and performed stand-up at Zanies. 

Originally from Cleveland, Bayer received her degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. While in college, she interned at Sesame Street and Late Night with Conan O'Brien and was a member of Bloomers, a storied all-female musical comedy troupe.