( SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Heidi Gardner during the "Christmas Airport Parade" sketch on Saturday, December 21, 2024 Image Credit: Getty Images )
Heidi Gardner has become one of the most beloved comedians of her generation, known for her quirky characters, sharp wit, and versatility on Saturday Night Live (SNL). From her early days at The Groundlings to her breakout on SNL and beyond, Gardner has carved a unique niche in the comedy world. This blog dives into her life, career, and impact, celebrating her journey as a trailblazer in sketch comedy.
Heidi Gardner’s Bio Data
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Heidi Gardner |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1983 |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Education | University of Missouri (Journalism), American Conservatory Theater (ACT) |
| Spouse | Zeb Wells (m. 2019) |
| Notable Roles | SNL, Haunted Mansion, The Mitchells vs. The Machines |
| Social Media | |
| Awards | Nominated for multiple awards for her work on SNL |
Personal Life:
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dibs! | Erica | |
| 2018 | Life of the Party | Leonor | |
| Making Babies | Meg | ||
| 2019 | Otherhood | Erin | |
| 2022 | Hustle | Kat Merrick | |
| Puss in Boots: The Last Wish | Last Baker | Voice role | |
| 2023 | Leo | Eli’s mom | Voice role[30] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017, 2019 | Mike Tyson Mysteries | Old Woman, Jennifer | 2 episodes |
| 2017–present | Saturday Night Live | Various | |
| 2019 | The Other Two | Mona | Episode: “Chase Turns Fourteen” |
| Veep | Amanda White | Episode: “Discovery Weekend” | |
| Alien News Desk | Tuva Van Void (voice) | 12 episodes | |
| American Dad! | Various voices | Episode: “Lost Boys” | |
| Superstore | Colleen | Episode: “Forced Hire” | |
| 2020 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Jenny | Special: “Kimmy vs the Reverend” |
| 2021 | Close Enough | Becca (voice) | Episode: “Houseguest From Hell” |
| Crank Yankers | Herself (voice) | Episode: “Chelsea Peretti, Heidi Gardner & J.B. Smoove” | |
| 2022 | Is It Cake? | Herself (Judge) | Episode: “Toying Around” |
| Girls5eva | Cara | Episode: “Album Mode” | |
| That Damn Michael Che | Episode: “Higher Power” | ||
| 2023–2024 | Shrinking | Grace | 10 episodes |
Web
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Adult Wednesday | Hairdresser | Episode: “The Haircut” |
| Bratz | Yasmin (voice) | 8 episodes | |
| 2015–19 | SuperMansion | Cooch, Various voices | 46 episodes |
| 2016 | CollegeHumor Originals | Patient | Episode: “Why Are My Nipples Pixelated?” |
Audio
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Heads Will Roll | Various voices | 10 episodes |
| 2021 | Batman: The Audio Adventures | Harley Quinn, Miss Tuesday |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Noises Off | Brooke Ashton/Vicki | The Cape Playhouse |
Writing credits
Web
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Bratz | 3 episodes |
| 2015–17 | SuperMansion | 11 episodes |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Heidi Gardner was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where she developed a love for comedy early on. Inspired by legends like Carol Burnett and Gilda Radner, she pursued journalism at the University of Missouri before shifting her focus to acting. She honed her craft at the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in San Francisco and later joined The Groundlings, LA’s iconic improv troupe.
At The Groundlings, Gardner co-created memorable characters like “Chrissy,” a ditzy influencer, and “Angel,” a hyperactive teen. These roles showcased her knack for blending absurdity with relatability, paving the way for her eventual SNL audition.
Breakthrough on Saturday Night Live
Gardner joined SNL in 2017 as a featured player and quickly became a fan favorite. Her ability to embody eccentric characters with emotional depth set her apart. Some of her most iconic roles include:
- Angel: A braces-wearing, overly enthusiastic teen often paired with Pete Davidson.
- Every Boxer’s Wife: A dramatic character in interviews with Kenan Thompson.
- Bailey Gismert: A nerdy high schooler delivering awkward monologues on Weekend Update.
- Carla & Paul: One half of the chaotic “HBO Show” couple with Bowen Yang.
Gardner’s celebrity impressions, including Drew Barrymore and Elizabeth Holmes, have also gone viral, earning her widespread acclaim.
Beyond SNL: Film, TV, and Voice Acting 
While SNL remains her primary platform, Gardner has expanded her career with roles in film, TV, and voice acting. She starred in Haunted Mansion (2023) alongside LaKeith Stanfield and Tiffany Haddish and voiced characters in The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) and Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. (2021).
On TV, Gardner has appeared in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, and Netflix’s Unstable (2023), created by Rob Lowe and his son John Owen Lowe. She also co-created the web series Prairie Dogs (2017), a workplace comedy about awkward coworkers.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Gardner married Zeb Wells, a Marvel Comics writer and screenwriter, in 2019. The couple met through mutual friends in LA’s comedy scene and shared a love for fostering rescue dogs. Gardner is also an advocate for animal rights, working with organizations like the ASPCA, and has been open about her struggles with anxiety, using her platform to promote mental health awareness.
Legacy and Future Projects
Heidi Gardner’s legacy lies in her ability to bring heart and humor to even the most absurd characters. As she continues to thrive on SNL, she’s also branching out into new projects, including the upcoming film The Parenting (2024) with Rachel Bilson.
