Kristen Carroll Wiig was born on August 22, 1973, in Canandaigua, New York. She was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later in Rochester, New York. Wiig attended the University of Arizona, where she initially studied art before switching to acting.
Wiig’s comedy career began with improvisational comedy. She trained at The Groundlings in Los Angeles, a renowned improv and sketch comedy troupe. She performed with The Groundlings from 2003 to 2005, honing her comedic skills and developing numerous characters.
Wiig joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2005 and remained a cast member until 2012. During her tenure, she became known for her versatile character work and memorable impressions, including Sue (the Surprise Lady), Gilly, and Target Lady. Her work on SNL earned her multiple Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Wiig transitioned to film acting, often blending comedic roles with dramatic performances. Her breakthrough film role came with Knocked Up (2007), followed by appearances in films such as Adventureland (2009) and Extract (2009). She co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed comedy Bridesmaids (2011), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy.