“It's strange: I've done so many things up until I did 'Obvious Child,' including writing children's books and making 'Marcel the Shell.' To me, the through-line is incredibly clear: it all comes from wanting to be connected to my own inner voice and not wanting to be on somebody else's agenda if that means that I can't be myself.”

American actress, stand-up comedian, and writer

Jenny Slate is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and writer. She is known for her work on television and for co-creating Marcel the Shell with Shoes On with Dean Fleischer Camp. Born in 1982, she has built a career across sketch comedy, live performance, and film. Slate first drew attention with early television acting and stand-up work, then gained notice in New York City for her live variety shows. She reached a wider audience as a cast member on the 35th season of Saturday Night Live in 2009, and later through recurring roles in Bob's Burgers, Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, and Kroll Show. She also appeared in the 2024 film It Ends with Us.