Actress and comedian Retta has delighted audiences with her performance aptitude and comedy precision and has established herself as a consistent first pick for Hollywood.
Fans can currently see Retta on her HGTV hit show “Ugliest House in America” where she searches the country for the house most in need of a makeover and works with her design team to make the owner’s renovation dreams come true. She most recently starred as Ruby on the NBC hit series “Good Girls,” also starring Christina Hendricks and Mae Whitman. Together the three moms decide to pull off a supermarket heist, only to find they are in for more than they bargained. Retta also appeared in the 2019 hit comedy “Good Boys,” which opened as the number one movie in the country. Audiences related to her as Barbara on the Bravo hit series “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” a drama which explored female friendships and the post-divorce ups and downs. Retta spent seven seasons playing beloved office mate Donna Meagle on NBC’s long running comedy “Parks and Recreation.”
In addition to her success in acting, Retta is also a critically acclaimed author, publishing her first work entitled “So Close To Being the Sh*t Y’all Don’t Even Know”, to fan and critical acclaim. She is also the title voice on the successful Audible Original audiobook “Tinaca Jones.”
Retta has enjoyed success in other feature films as well. She recently starred in the teenage tale “Middle School: The Worst Years of my Life” as Ida Stricker, as well as indy films “Band Aid,” “To the Bone” and “Where’s the Money?” Other films include “Father Figures” with Ed Helms and Owen Wilson, “Fracture”with Anthony Hopkins, and “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” with David Spade.
Retta, born to immigrant parents from Liberia, grew up in New Jersey. Upon graduating pre-med from Duke University, she worked as a contract chemist before ultimately committing to pursue her dream of having her own sitcom. To achieve that dream, she was a regular stand-up in Raleigh, NC and soon decided to make the move to LA. Retta started first with open mics in Los Angeles and eventually began showcasing for the National Association for Campus Activities. She became a favorite act on the college circuit and hailed as female comedian of the year by Campus Activities Magazine. She was Comedy Central’s first winner of their Laugh Riots Stand-Up Competition, which led to an appearance on the New Faces Showcase at Montreal’s “Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival. This performance led to a development deal with ABC/Disney.
Retta’s television appearances include: “Always Sunny In Philadelphia,”“Key and Peele,” “Premium Blend” and “Comedy Central Presents…Retta.” But you can see her at her authentic best on her unfoRETTAble instagram stories where she shares her day and coffee making addiction daily.
Retta’s entertaining prowess and comedic vigor keeps both her devoted following and Hollywood captivated. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
