Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and director who has become one of the most respected figures in modern comedy. Born on September 16, 1971, in Newton, Massachusetts, Poehler studied communications at Boston College before moving to Chicago to train at ImprovOlympic and Second City, where she honed her improvisational comedy skills. She was a founding member of the influential Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe alongside Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, which led to their own show on Comedy Central.

Poehler joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” in 2001 and quickly became one of the show’s most versatile performers. She co-anchored the “Weekend Update” segment with Tina Fey, creating one of the most beloved pairings in the segment’s history. Her impressions of Hillary Clinton, along with numerous original characters, made her an SNL standout. She departed the show in 2008 to star in the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation” (2009-2015), where her portrayal of the eternally optimistic government employee Leslie Knope became one of the most iconic television characters of the 2010s.

Beyond acting, Poehler has built a significant career behind the camera. She co-founded the production company Paper Kite Productions, which has produced shows like “Broad City,” “Difficult People,” and “Russian Doll.” She directed the 2021 film “Moxie” for Netflix and has voiced Joy in Pixar’s massively successful “Inside Out” (2015) and “Inside Out 2” (2024), the latter of which became one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time. Her memoir “Yes Please” (2014) was a New York Times bestseller.

Poehler’s net worth of approximately $25 million reflects her diverse income streams from acting, producing, directing, voiceover work, and her Smart Girls organization, which encourages young women to pursue their passions. She was previously married to actor Will Arnett, with whom she has two sons. She continues to be a major creative force in Hollywood, with multiple projects in development through her production company.