UCSC alumna Maya Rudolph featured on NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’

UCSC alumna Maya Rudolph
UCSC alumna Maya Rudolph

UC Santa Cruz alumna Maya Rudolph spent seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, and has since gone on to star in the hit comedy film, Bridesmaids.

Now she's exploring the lighter side of parenting in her new movie, Friends with Kids, and the TV series Up All Night.

A 1995 graduate of UCSC’s Porter College with a B.A. in Art (photography), Rudolph became widely known on SNL for her portrayals of Oprah Winfrey, Whitney Houston, Donatella Versace, and Michelle Obama.

Before turning to comedy in the 1990s, she enjoyed a brief stint in the music biz, contributing vocals and keyboards to The Rentals.

Rudolph then joined the legendary improv troupe, The Groundlings, before heading off to SNL.

She has also appeared in such films as Robert Altman's A Prairie Home Companion, and Away We Go, directed by Sam Mendez and written by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida.

On March 8, Rudolph sat down with Terry Gross for an interview on National Public Radio’s "Fresh Air" program. To listen to the broadcast, go to Maya Rudolph: The Fresh Air Interview.