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 materWesleyan University
Occupation(s)Comedian, actress, writer
Years active2010–present
SpouseAndy Beckerman

Early life and education

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Ekperigin 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

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After 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

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Film

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Czajkowski, Elise. "Naomi Ekperigin - Events in NYC - Arts and Entertainment Guide". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Regatao, Gisele (September 7, 2013). "One NY Artist: Stand-up Comedian Naomi Ekperigin". WNYC. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  4. ^ Caroline MacNeille (November 3, 2015). "Yahoo! profiles comedian Naomi Ekperigin '05". Wesleyan University. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b Madrid, Monique (27 July 2015). "Confronting Tragedy with Comedy with Naomi Ekperigin". Splitsider. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  7. ^ McNary, Dave (14 February 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  8. ^ Ramsey, Franchesca (16 October 2013). "8 Black Comediennes Who Are 'Ready' for SNL". Essence. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  9. ^ Fox, Jesse David (May 9, 2016). "Some Nice News in the World of Women in Comedy". Vulture. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Byrne, Matt (May 11, 2016). "Naomi Ekperigin is funny". Brightest Young Things. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  13. ^ 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.
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