Retta

Retta is an American actress, comedian, and singer, best known for her role as Donna Meagle in the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, which also starred Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and Chris Pratt. She has also appeared in several other television shows, including To the Moon, Alice, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Girlfriends, alongside Golden Brooks, Persia White, and Jill Marie Jones. Retta's career has been marked by her unique voice and comedic timing, which has drawn comparisons to other talented comedians, such as Tiffany Haddish, Wanda Sykes, and Whoopi Goldberg. Her work has been influenced by various comedians, including Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin.

● Early Life

Retta was born Marietta Sirleaf on April 12, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, to a family of Liberian descent, and was raised in Edison, New Jersey, where she attended Edison High School. She later studied sociology at Duke University, where she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, alongside other notable members, such as Kamala Harris, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Star Jones. During her time at Duke, Retta was exposed to the works of various comedians, including Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Margaret Cho. Her early life experiences have been shaped by her relationships with family and friends, including her parents, who were influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, and her friends, who introduced her to the music of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder.

● Career

Retta's career in comedy began in the early 1990s, when she started performing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, where she was discovered by Jen Kirkman, who introduced her to the Comedy Store, a renowned comedy club that has hosted many famous comedians, including Robin Williams, David Letterman, and Jay Leno. She has since appeared in numerous television shows, including The Soup, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, and Conan, alongside Conan O'Brien, Andy Richter, and Sona Movsesian. Retta has also performed at various comedy festivals, such as the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, where she has shared the stage with comedians like Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah, and Hannah Gadsby. Her career has been influenced by her collaborations with other comedians, including Ali Wong, John Mulaney, and Hasan Minhaj.

● Filmography

Retta's filmography includes a wide range of television shows and movies, such as Sex and the City 2, Young & Hungry, and To the Moon, Alice, which also starred Sean Astin, Jeffrey Combs, and Diane Ladd. She has also appeared in Fracture, alongside Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, and David Strathairn, and in Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, alongside Griffin Gluck, Lauren Graham, and Rob Riggle. Retta's filmography also includes voice work, such as her role in The Angry Birds Movie 2, alongside Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, and Leslie Jones. Her filmography has been shaped by her collaborations with various directors, including Judd Apatow, Seth Gordon, and Paul Feig.

● Awards and Nominations

Retta has been nominated for several awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in Parks and Recreation, alongside her co-stars, Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and Chris Pratt. She has also been nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for her guest role in Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, alongside Lisa Edelstein, Janeane Garofalo, and Beau Garrett. Retta has won several awards, including a TV Guide Award for her role in Parks and Recreation, and a Gracie Award for her work in To the Moon, Alice. Her awards and nominations have been influenced by her relationships with other actors, including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, and Kristen Wiig.

● Personal Life

Retta is a private person, but she has been open about her experiences with depression and anxiety, which have been influenced by her relationships with family and friends, including her parents, who were influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, and her friends, who introduced her to the music of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder. She has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, alongside other celebrities, such as Jennifer Aniston, Dolly Parton, and Elton John. Retta's personal life has been shaped by her relationships with other comedians, including Ali Wong, John Mulaney, and Hasan Minhaj, and her experiences with various social issues, including racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Category:American actresses