Retta
Born: 1978-07-12 in New Jersey, U.S.
Known For: Acting
Biography
Marietta Sirleaf, better known simply as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She is mainly known for her starring role as Donna Meagle on NBC's Parks and Recreation. She has appeared in several films and television shows, and has performed stand-up on Comedy Central's Premium Blend. Retta is from New Jersey, and graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She started working in the pharmaceutical research field before moving to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in comedy.Retta started performing stand-up comedy in 1996, although she said she did not start "earning money" until 1998, when she started touring on the college circuit. Retta said she used to get "really nauseated" before a performance, but that the feeling passed with experience.Retta has said her stand-up material tends to be slightly embellished stories from her regular everyday life, family, and friends. She has also made jokes about her obesity. Retta has stated she would give up stand-up comedy for a full-time acting career if possible: "I'm not married to stand-up, just because it's a road thing. It's very lonely with all the traveling.
Filmography
2024
- Elsbeth as Margo Clarke
- Hit Man as Claudette
- The Greatest Hits as Dr. Evelyn Bartlett
- The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie as Mrs. Bundy
- Scariest House in America as Self - Host
2023
- 80 for Brady as Self
- Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong as Self
2022
- The Jennifer Hudson Show as Self
- The Boys Presents: Diabolical as Ghost's Mom (voice)
- Ugliest House in America as Self - Host
2021
- Celebrity Wheel of Fortune as Self
2020
- Duncanville as Makeover Station Employee (voice)
- Home Movie: The Princess Bride as The Mother
- A Parks and Recreation Special as Donna Meagle
- Get Organized with The Home Edit
- The Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation as Donna Meagle
2019
- The Kelly Clarkson Show as Self
- The Morning Show as Retta
- A Little Late with Lilly Singh as Self
- Good Boys as Lucas' Mom
- Where's Waldo? as Wizard Nightingale (voice)
2018
- Good Girls as Ruby Hill
- A Legendary Christmas with John & Chrissy as Self
2017
- Big Mouth as Duke's Mother (voice)
- DuckTales as Harp (voice)
- Carpool Karaoke: The Series as Self
- Band Aid as Carol
- The Lego Ninjago Movie as Maggie the Cheerleader (voice)
- To the Bone as Lobo
- Where's the Money as Roberta
- Father Figures as Annie
2016
- Match Game as Self - Panelist
- To Tell the Truth as Self - Panelist
- The $100,000 Pyramid as Self
- Operator as Pauline 'Roger' Rogers
- Other People as Nina
- Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life as Ida Stricker
2015
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip as Party Planner
- Come Simi as Nurse Lipps
- Rebel on Ice as Self
2014
- Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
- Celebrity Name Game as Self
- Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce as Barbara
- Sex Ed as Sydney
- Muffin Top: A Love Story as Leah
2013
- Drunk History as Sylvia Robinson
- Hollywood Game Night as Self
2012
- Key & Peele as Woman
2011
- Bob's Burgers as Animal Control Officer (voice)
- Bubble Guppies as General Yuck (voice)
- Critics' Choice Television Awards as Self - Host
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
- Parks and Recreation as Donna Meagle
2008
- First Sunday
- Kissing Cousins as Shawna the Chef
2007
- Fracture as Evidence Room Cop
- Sex and Death 101 as Ethel Walters (#100)
- Dragon Wars: D-War as Receptionist Nurse
- Lipshitz Saves the World as Virginia
2005
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Hardware Store Clerk
- Freddie as Joan
2003
- Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star as Sad Eye Sadie
2002
- Slackers as Bruna
1996
1988
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark as Self - Guest