Focus Features

Maya Rudolph

Verona De Tessant

Maya Rudolph (Verona De Tessant) began her performing career with the famed improvisational troupe The Groundlings.

In 2000, she made her debut on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where she continued as one of the show’s regular players for over seven years. Ms. Rudolph’s turns included memorably skewed portrayals of Oprah Winfrey, Donatella Versace, and Michelle Obama; and such recurring sketches as “Wake Up Wakefield” and “Time-Travelin’ Scott Joplin” (in which she played, and played piano, as Mr. Joplin).

Her previous films include Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion;Mike Judge’s Idiocracy; Bruce Paltrow’s Duets; Peter Segal’s 50 First Dates; Miguel Arteta’s Chuck & Buck; Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca; James L. Brooks’ As Good As It Gets; and, in voiceover as Rapunzel, Chris Miller and Raman Hui’s Shrek the Third (which also featured John Krasinski of Away We Go).

The child of music producer Dick Rudolph and singer Minnie Riperton, Ms. Rudolph has followed in their footsteps by producing music, singing, and playing instruments in bands.

She recently was seen in a recurring role on the NBC comedy series Kath & Kim.