Sasheer Zamata

Early work and breakthrough (2009–2013)

Zamata performed regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City starting in 2009.^[13] She co-starred in the ABC Newshidden camera series Would You Fall for That?^[14] and was a cast member on MTV's series Hey Girl.^[15] Zamata also appeared in sketches on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Inside Amy Schumer.^[13] She starred in the webseries Pursuit of Sexiness,^[15] and has appeared in sketches for CollegeHumor.^[16] Videos on Zamata's YouTube channel include impersonations of Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Tyra Banks, and Beyoncé.^[17]

Saturday Night Live (2014–2017)

In 2014, Zamata joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) during its 39th season. She joined the SNL cast amid a season in which TV critics and black comedians had criticized the show for not being ethnically diverse (specifically, not hiring any black female cast members at the start of the new season and only having five of them in the near-40 years the show has been on the air).^[18] Zamata was the first black female cast member on SNL since biracial Maya Rudolph departed midway through the show's 33rd season in 2007.^[18][19][20]

Zamata debuted on SNL as a featured player in the January 18, 2014, episode hosted by Drake,^[21] in which she impersonated Rihanna.^[22][23] She was promoted to repertory player in the first episode of Season 41.^[24] Some of her recurring characters include Janelle, a teenage girl who hosts a YouTube channel called How 2 Dance with Janelle but is unaware of how her developing sexuality is coming off to viewers, and Keeley, a contestant on an African-American centric version of Jeopardy! called Black Jeopardy!. Some of her celebrity impressions have included the aforementioned Rihanna, Michelle Obama, Kerry Washington, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Diana Ross, Lupita Nyong'o, and Taraji P. Henson. She left the show in 2017 after the season 42 finale.^[25]

Acting, comedy specials, and podcast (2017–present)

Since leaving SNL, Zamata has continued her stand-up comedy work, creating two specials: Pizza Mind (2017) and Sasheer Zamata: The First Woman (2023).

In 2019, Zamata launched the podcast Best Friends, which she hosts with her best friend and fellow comedian and actress Nicole Byer.^[26]

Zamata has acted in film and television including roles in I Feel Pretty (2018) and Spree (2020), and voice roles in The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) and Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021). In recent years, Zamata has starred in several television shows, including Woke (2020–2022) and Home Economics (2021–2023). She recently portrayed Jennifer Kale in the Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe show Agatha All Along (2023).

ACLU and work with women's rights

Zamata was named a celebrity ambassador to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 2015, and began work with the Women's Rights Project.^[29] The ACLU Women's Rights project seeks to break down gender biases and "ensure equal economic opportunities, educational equity, and an end to gender-based violence".^[30] She has spoken out on gender discrimination in the U.S. today, and has advocated for equal rights among women of color, in particular.^[31] In an interview with Allure, Zamata opened up about her experiences with discrimination and colorism. She has stated that although she has often been stigmatized for her darker skin tone, she hopes to turn her experiences into a message of self-acceptance and body positivity for women in all shades.^[32]

Film

Television

Video Games

Podcast