Natasha Leggero

Natasha Leggero (/ˈlɛʒɛər/; born March 26, 1974) is an American comedian, actress, and writer. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, she rose to fame after appearing as the host of the MTV reality television series The 70s House in 2005 and as a regular roundtable panelist on Chelsea Handler's late-night talk show Chelsea Lately from 2008 to 2014.[1]

Natasha Leggero
Natasha Leggero at ComicCon in 2015.
Born (1974-03-26) March 26, 1974
Rockford, Illinois, U.S
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • film
Alma materHunter College (BA)
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Years active2000–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
(m. 2015)
Children1
Websitenatashaleggero.com

She starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Free Agents as Emma Parker in 2011, as well as in the Showtime comedy series Dice (2016–2017) as Carmen and in the CBS sitcom Broke (2020) as Elizabeth. In 2015, she created and starred in the Comedy Central period sitcom Another Period, which follows the lives of the fictional Bellacourt family, alongside Riki Lindhome. The show ran for three seasons until its eventual cancellation in 2018. As a voice actress, Leggero has starred in several adult animated sitcoms, voicing the roles of Callie Maggotbone in Comedy Central's Ugly Americans (2010–2012), Ethel in Comedy Central's Brickleberry (2013–2015), and Shannon in Netflix's Hoops (2020).

Her comedy, characterized as observational, has been noted by critics for its use of satire as commentary on such themes as celebrity culture and social class.

Early life

Leggero was born on March 26, 1974[lower-alpha 1] in Rockford, Illinois[5] and is of Italian[6] and Swedish[7] descent. She has stated that a DNA test revealed 6% Sub-Saharan African ancestry.[8] Leggero was raised Roman Catholic,[9] but converted to Judaism as an adult.[10]

Commenting on her childhood, Leggero stated: "I would say [we were] lower-middle-class, but I feel like my mom would start crying if she heard that. But my dad was a used car dealer and my mother worked in a locksmith shop as the bookkeeper, and then they got divorced, and I do remember, like, nuns bringing us food—like big canned goods. And then, you know, we didn't really go on vacation–ever... I had so many jobs growing up: I mowed lawns; I worked at a grocery store; I had two newspaper routes; I worked at a catering place... I definitely hustled."[2]

She began performing in plays at age 10 in Chicago.[11] Leggero attended Rockford East High School[12] and worked at a grocery store as a teenager.[11]

After graduating from high school, Leggero attended Illinois State University, where she studied for two years and spent a semester studying abroad in England.[11] While at Illinois State, Leggero auditioned for the Stella Adler Conservatory in Chicago, and was accepted into the theater program.[11] She then relocated to New York City to attend the conservatory, spending two years studying.[11] In 1996, she moved to Sydney, Australia with her then-boyfriend, and lived there for a year before returning to New York[13] to attend Hunter College, where she graduated in 2000 with a B.A. in theater criticism. She relocated to Los Angeles shortly before the September 11 attacks.[11]

Career

Leggero shot an unaired pilot called The Strip for NBC with Tom Lennon and Ben Garant from Reno 911!. Alongside Andy Kindler and Greg Giraldo, she was a judge on the 2010 season of NBC's Last Comic Standing, hosted by Craig Robinson.[14] Leggero played Emma in NBC's 2011 sitcom Free Agents. From 2010 to January 2012, Leggero co-hosted The Lavender Hour podcast with comedian Duncan Trussell.

From 2010 to 2012, she voiced the role of Callie Maggotbone on the animated series Ugly Americans.[15] In 2012, she also appeared in six episodes of NBC's Are You There, Chelsea? as Nikki, who was Rick's (the bar manager's) ex-girlfriend. Leggero was featured in every first-season episode starting with the second episode, "Sloane's Ex."[16]

She also played the sex-obsessed Haley in the web series Burning Love, a spoof of the TV series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. In 2013, Leggero appeared in an episode of the Drunk History television series on Comedy Central.

On September 2, 2013, Leggero participated in the Comedy Central Roast of James Franco as one of the Roasters. The following day, Brickleberry premiered its second season. Leggero voiced the busty ranger Ethel in place of Kaitlin Olson, who only featured in the first season.

Tubbin' with Tash debuted on October 2, 2013 on Leggero's YouTube channel. The premise of the show is Leggero interviewing guests while in a hot tub.[17] In August 2015, she debuted her Comedy Central standup special, Live at Bimbo's (originally entitled Diamond Pussy), which was filmed in San Francisco.[18]

In 2015, Leggero and Riki Lindhome created the Comedy Central series Another Period, which they also starred in together. The series premiered June 23, 2015, and was renewed for a second season, which premiered June 15, 2016. On May 23, 2016, it was renewed for a third season,[19] which aired in 2018.[20] In 2016 and 2017, Leggero and husband Moshe Kasher embarked on The Honeymoon Tour, in which they performed standup shows and provided humorous relationship advice throughout the United States.[21]

New Year's Eve incident

On December 31, 2013, Leggero was criticized for a joke that she made during NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly, when, in response to a controversial tweet posted by SpaghettiOs on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, she said: "It sucks that the only survivors of Pearl Harbor are being mocked by the only food they can still chew." Her remarks were met with a backlash over social media. In response, Leggero posted in a blog entry that she did not feel that "the amazing courage of American veterans and specifically those who survived Pearl Harbor is in any way diminished by a comedian making a joke about dentures on television. Do we really believe that the people who fought and defended our freedom against Nazis and the Axis powers will find a joke about SpaghettiO's too much to bear? Sorry, I have more respect for Veterans than to think their honor can be impugned by a glamorous, charming comedian in a fur hat." She also called on those offended by the remarks to donate to Disabled American Veterans.[22][23][24]

Comedic style

Leggero's comedy has been characterized as observational,[25] with frequent commentary on celebrity culture and class.[25] Her approach to standup has been noted for its heavy use of persona, which largely relies on costumes and "an air of mock-refinement and elitism."[2] Journalist John Wenzel wrote that Leggero's use of persona "[allows her to] indict the most bloated, superficial aspects of our culture."[26] Maggie Lange of GQ noted:

All performers have a character to some extent, but Leggero is one of the few with a costume. She’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but like a seasoned comedian in socialite’s clothing. She’s always been this way. Who is the most formally dressed being at every Roast? Natasha Leggero. Who is perhaps the only person to have ever worn long white gloves to the Laugh Factory? Natasha Leggero. It’s always like she’s going to another party. While other comedians are trying to out-casual each other, she’s sitting with impeccable posture, dripping diamonds, dripping disdain.[27]

Personal life

Between 2011 and 2012, Leggero dated comedian Duncan Trussell, with whom she co-hosted the podcast, The Lavender Hour.[28]

In 2015, she married fellow comedian Moshe Kasher.[29][30] During an October 3, 2017 interview with Stephen Colbert, Leggero announced that she and Kasher were expecting their first child.[31] On February 24, 2018 on Instagram, Leggero announced the birth of their daughter.[32]

She resides in Los Angeles, California.[33]

Works

Stand-up comedy

Year Title Notes
2011 Coke Money album
2015 Live at Bimbo's special
2018 The Honeymoon Stand Up Special special with Moshe Kasher

TV series

Year(s) Title Notes
2015-2018 Another Period 3-season series with Riki Lindhome

Talk shows

Year Title Notes
2013 Tubbin' with Tash 7-episode web series[34]
2019-present The Endless Honeymoon Podcast podcast with Moshe Kasher[35]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Exorcist Chronicles Leah
2009 He's Just Not That Into You Amber Gnech
2013 Tome of the Unknown Beatrice Short film; pilot for the miniseries Over the Garden Wall
Dealin' with Idiots Tipsy Jessica
2014 Neighbors Street prostitute
Let's Be Cops Annie
2015 The Breakup Girl Kim
A Better You Tamara
2016 The Do-Over Nikki
2020 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Young Carrie Fisher

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 The Joe Schmo Show Rita "The Drunk" 2 episodes
2005 MTV's The 70s House Dawn Host; 10 episodes
2005–08 Reno 911! Various 3 episodes
2005 Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson Herself (red carpet interviewer) Uncredited; Television Special
Premium Blend Herself Episode: "Johnny Lampert, Roy Wood Jr., Natasha Leggero and Stephen Rannazzisi"
2006 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Stripper #1 Episode: "Charlie Gets Crippled"
2007 'Til Death Mindy Episode: "Performance Anxiety"
Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld Herself Guest panelist; episode dated December 8, 2007
2008–14 Chelsea Lately Herself Guest panelist; various episodes
2008 Samantha Who? Female Customer Episode: "The Gallery Show"
SuperNews! Hillary Clinton (voice) Episode: "Super Short"
SuperNews! Sarah Palin (voice) Episode: "Top Gov"
The Sarah Silverman Program Dr. Leggero Episode: "Vow Wow"
Worst Week Liz Episode: "The Gift"
2009 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Computer Technician (voice) Episode: "Fry Legs"
2009–10 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest... Herself Commentator; 28 episodes
2010 'Til Death Sandy Episode: "Snore Loser"
2010–12 Ugly Americans Callie Maggotbone (voice) Main cast; 31 episodes
2010 Last Comic Standing Herself Judge (season 7); 10 episodes
2010–11 Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Various 5 episodes
2011 Comedy Central Presents Herself Episode: "Natasha Leggero"
After Lately Herself 2 episodes
Free Agents Emma Parker Main cast; 8 episodes
2012 Are You There, Chelsea? Nikki Natoli 6 episodes
The Life & Times of Tim Female Rodney (voice) 2 episodes
China, IL Jen (voice) Episode: "Frankensteve"
Regular Show LaDonna / Girl in Line (voice) Episode: "Access Denied"
2012–13 The Burn with Jeff Ross Herself 2 episodes
2012 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Mona Lisa Episode: "Time Angels"
2013–15 Brickleberry Ethel (voice) Main cast (season 2–3)
2013 Whitney Danielle Episode: "Lost in Transition"
The Jeselnik Offensive Panelist 1 episode
Community Mysti Episode: "Heroic Origins"
Ghost Ghirls Sissy Episode: "Hooker With A Heart of Ghoul"
Arrested Development Jackie Episode: "Borderline Personalities"
Drunk History Herself Narrator; episode: "San Francisco"
High School USA! Rachel Lewis (voice) Episode: "Adoption"
Comedy Central Roast of James Franco Herself (roaster) Television special
The League Stand-up teacher Episode: "The Bringer Show"
2013–17 @midnight Herself 7 episodes
2013 Comedy Bang! Bang! Judy Elevenuda Episode: "Andy Dick Wears a Black Suit Jacket & Skinny Tie"
2013–14 Betas Brenda 3 episodes
Lucas Bros. Moving Co. Natasha (voice) 3 episodes
2013 Key & Peele White Woman #2 Episode: "The Power of Wings"
The Birthday Boys Superintendent Episode: "Going All the Way"
2014 Suburgatory Nora 4 episodes
Inside Amy Schumer Mia Episode: "Slut-Shaming"
Clarence Nature Kate / Heida (voice) Episode: "Nature Clarence"
Garfunkel & Oates Vivian 3 episodes: "The Fadeaway", "Eggs" and "Maturity".
2015 Marry Me Laguna Matata Episode: "Spoil Me"
Mulaney Rodeo Episode: "Life is a Series of Different Apartments"
2015–18 Another Period Lillian Bellacourt Main cast, 32 episodes
2015 Modern Family Dana Episode: "Fight or Flight"
The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber Herself Television special
Drunk History Elizabeth Bisland Episode: "Journalism"
2016 Superstore Shoplifter Episode: "Shoplifter"
2016–17 Dice Carmen Main cast, 13 episodes
American Dad! Planet Hollywood Waitress / Karen (voice) 2 episodes
2016 BoJack Horseman Heather (voice) Episode: "Start Spreading the News"
2017–present Funny You Should Ask Herself Rotating with other comedians
2017 Justice League Action Poison Ivy (voice) Episode: "Garden of Evil"
2018 Teachers Honour Episode: "Leggo My Preggo"
Alone Together Nora Episode: "Daypassers"
A Million Little Things Joyce Episode: "Christmas Wishlist"
Comedy Knockout Herself 2 episodes
2019 The Real Bros of Simi Valley Cheryl Episode: "Open House"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil Additional voices Episode: "Junkin' Janna/A Spell with No Name"
Historical Roasts Mary Todd Lincoln Episode: "Abraham Lincoln"
American Princess Heidi Episode: "Down There"
Adam Ruins Everything Music Video Director Episode: "Adam Ruins Music"
Crank Yankers Herself Episode: "Adam Carolla, David Koechner & Natasha Leggero"
2020 AJ and the Queen Kath Episode: "Little Rock"
Paradise PD Ethel (voice) Episode: "Paradise PD Meets Brickleberry"
The Midnight Gospel Peggy (voice) Episode: "Taste of the King"
Broke Elizabeth Main cast, 13 episodes
Hoops Shannon (voice) Main cast, 10 episodes

Web

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Fire Guys Black Ladder Team leader Episode 3
2012–13 Burning Love Haley 14 episodes
2012 Escape My Life Skylar Browning 8 episodes
2015 Joe Rogan Experience Herself Podcast episode 653
The Adam Carolla Show Herself Podcast May 31
Limbo Lucy / Lucifer Independent short film
2016 WTF with Marc Maron Herself Episode 707

Notes

  1. A June 2017 profile in Forbes notes that Leggero is 43 years old.[2] On March 26, 2017, Leggero re-tweeted a "Happy Birthday" wish directed at her from Showtime Networks, which was posted the same day.[3] Her birthdate of March 26 is corroborated by public records available through FamilySearch.[4]

References

  1. "Chelsea Lately". TV.com. E!. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  2. Espionza, Russ (June 15, 2017). "Frustrated To Fabulous: The Humble Beginnings Of Natasha Leggero". Forbes. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  3. Leggero, Natasha [@natashaleggero] (March 26, 2017). "Thank you! Season 2 coming soon!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017 via Twitter.
  4. "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (22 May 2014), Natasha T Leggero, Residence, Los Angeles, California, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
  5. "Natasha Leggero Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  6. Leggero, Natasha (June 16, 2010). "Natasha Leggero". The Adam Carolla Show (Interview). Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  7. Leggero, Natasha (November 13, 2013). "Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher". The Artie Lange Show (Interview). Interviewed by Artie Lange. Video on YouTube.
  8. "The Nightly Show". cc.com. Comedy Central. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  9. "Joe Rogan Experience #653". YouTube. May 27, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  10. "'Abortions cool' in Judaism, says newly Jewish comedian". The Times of Israel. June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  11. Maron, Marc (May 16, 2016). "WTF Podcast with Marc Maron #707". WTF Podcast (Interview). Interviewed by Natasha Leggero. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  12. "Kevin Haas: Rockford East grad Natasha Leggero revives 9-year-old Taco Bell vote in comedy special". rrstar.com. August 25, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  13. "Late Show with Stephen Colbert". 20 Jun 2016. Retrieved 27 Jun 2016.
  14. "Pilot Season 2010-2011". Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  15. Ohanesian, Liz (March 22, 2012). "Natasha Leggero on Ugly Americans Voice Acting and What It's Like Being 'Cast as Domineering Bitches'". LA Weekly. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  16. Hughes, Jason (January 19, 2012). "Natasha Leggero Plays Rick's Rude Ex On 'Are You There, Chelsea?'". The Huffington Post.
  17. Natasha Leggero. YouTube. Retrieved on June 5, 2014.
  18. McCarthy, Sean L. (August 22, 2015). "Natasha Leggero: 'Live at Bimbo's'". The Comic's Comic. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  19. Petski, Denise (2016-05-23). "'Another Period' Renewed For Third Season By Comedy Central". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  20. Natasha Leggero [@natashaleggero] (28 August 2017). "Another Period S3 coming 2018!" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  21. Coviello, Will (July 13, 2017). "Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero perform at One Eyed Jacks July 19". Gambit. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  22. Rachel Lubitz (December 30, 2013). "TV highlights: Networks compete for most entertaining New Year's show". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  23. Margaret Eby (January 4, 2014). "Comedian Natasha Leggero responds to controversy over World War II veteran joke: 'I'm not sorry". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  24. Drew Grant. "Comedian Natasha Leggero is Sorry/Not-Sorry About SpaghettiO-Gate". The New York Observer. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  25. Hesse, Josiah M. (March 29, 2013). "The ten best comedy shows in April". Westword. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  26. Wenzel, John (November 15, 2010). "Why So Serious, Natasha Leggero?". The Know. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  27. Lange, Maggie (August 21, 2015). "Nobody in Comedy Commits Like Natasha Leggero". GQ. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  28. Marchese, David (October 21, 2011). "Dressed to Kill: A Day in the Life of Rising Comedienne Natasha Leggero". Spin. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  29. "Natasha Leggero Doesn't Want To Plan Her Wedding". YouTube. July 29, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  30. "Comedian Natasha Leggero Talks Getting High on YouTube Plus, the highbrow TV drama that always puts her to sleep". AdWeek. June 23, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  31. Burford, Corinna (October 4, 2017). "Natasha Leggero Reveals the Worst Part of Being Pregnant in 2017". Vulture. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  32. Natasha Leggero. Instagram. Retrieved on February 24, 2018.
  33. David, Mark (December 19, 2016). "Married Comedians Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher Lease Out Silver Lake Cottage". Variety. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  34. www.tubefilter.com https://www.tubefilter.com/2013/10/03/natasha-leggero-tubbin-with-tash-jash/. Retrieved 2020-11-04. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. "The Endless Honeymoon Podcast on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
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