Not all skits and giggles: Kristen Wiig’s film career
- Kristen Wiig, the hilarious former ‘SNL’ star, transitioned to the silver screen with ease, making whatever role, however small, tickle audiences with glee. Although she's a comedy queen, Wiig has also shown her talent as a serious actor more than once. She recently took on the role of Cheetah in the 'Wonder Woman' sequel, one of the biggest films of her career. Not only is she a hilarious performer, she's also an accomplished writer. She co-wrote the movie 'Bridesmaids' which immediately became a comedy classic. Click through this gallery to discover the wide range of films she's been in—you’ll be surprised at how many you haven't seen!
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'Bridesmaids' (2011) - Of course one of Wiig's best roles was Annie, an out of work, middle-aged maid of honor in a hilarious film that Wiig not only executed flawlessly, but also co-wrote. The movie was a massive hit and a testament to her talent.
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'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' (2019) - Kristen Wiig plays Bernadette's (Cate Blanchett) rival in this film, based off of Maria Semple's best-selling novel.
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'Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar' (2021)
- Co-written and starring both Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, this bizarre but amusing comedy also sees a delightful performance from Jamie Dornan.
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'Wonder Woman 1984' (2020)
- Wiig played one of the major villains, Barbara Minerva/Cheetah, in this high-budget sequel starring Gal Gadot.
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'Ghostbusters' (2016) - Though it's difficult to compete with the original, the remake does an impressive job of standing on its own as a superbly cast supernatural comedy.
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'How To Train Your Dragon' (2010) - The voice of Ruffnut, Wiig participated in the wildly successful animated feature, as well as its sequels and holiday special.
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'Downsizing' (2017) - When scientists discover how to shrink humans in order to combat overpopulation, a man (Matt Damon) and his wife (Wiig) decide to participate. Unfortunately, critics weren't big fans of the film.
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'Zoolander 2' (2016) - Who really trusts sequels anymore? This film was criticized for having more celebrities than laughs, but Wiig's role as Alexanya Atoz, with a reconstructed face, is still amusing.
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'Knocked Up' (2007) - In this classic, hilarious, and poignant story about relationships and child-rearing, Wiig's role as Katherine Heigl's petty boss is one of the small details that makes this film great.
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'The Martian' (2015)
- Though her role as one of the people on Earth trying to get Mark home isn't enormous, the film was one of her highest-rated, lauded for its intelligence and unexpected humor.
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'Her' (2013) - You probably didn't know Wiig was in this highly acclaimed futuristic romance, but she's the voice of the woman on the phone with Joaquin Phoenix, asking him to choke her with a dead cat.
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'Sausage Party' (2016)
- Wiig stars as Brenda in this wildly inappropriate but impressively hilarious and thought-provoking animated story.
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'Adventureland' (2009)
- The film about summer jobs at an amusement park in the 1980s is filled with romance, nostalgia, and drama, but also hilarity from the park managers, Wiig and Bill Hader.
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'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' (2013) - Wiig plays Walter's love interest and coworker in this film with mixed reviews that praise its ambition, but criticize its lack of substance.
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'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' (2007) - In this biopic parody that pokes fun at rock stars, Wiig's character is a parody of Vivian Liberto, Johnny Cash's first wife.
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'Semi-Pro' (2008) - One of Will Ferrell's weaker films, Wiig's small role as a bear trainer was lost in the movie's half-hearted attempt at satire.
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'Friends With Kids' (2012)
- This sharp, funny film follows adult friends as they navigate the uneven territory of parenthood. Wiig displays phenomenal chemistry with Jon Hamm on screen.
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'Extract' (2009)
- With a cast that includes Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, and J.K. Simmons, Mike Judge's comedy still stirred criticism in its crudeness and failure to exceed or reach his past work.
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'The Diary of a Teenage Girl' (2015) - In this bold and honest film that captures the magical and effervescent feel of the '70s, Wiig plays a troubled mother whose boyfriend is interested in her daughter.
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'Whip It' (2009)
- Wiig took on the wild world of roller derby in Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, which was praised for its energy, charm, and humor.
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'The Skeleton Twins' (2014) - This film about two estranged siblings is an underrated rumination on depression and lost love, starring Wiig and fellow 'SNL' alumni Bill Hader.
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'Paul' (2011)
- This entertaining road-trip film has an intergalactic twist, and Wiig plays a sheltered girl whose world is turned upside down. Simon Pegg praised Wiig for her ability to make any line hilarious.
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'Welcome to Me' (2015) - Wiig's performance elevated this somewhat uneven story of a woman with borderline personality disorder who wins the lottery and buys her own talk show.
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'Hateship, Loveship' (2013) - While this film adaptation of Alice Munro's short story landed flat, Wiig's vibrant portrayal of a nanny still impressed critics.
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'Pretty Bird' (2008) - In this dark comedy about three men who try to make their fortune by inventing a rocket belt, Wiig is lauded for contributing one of the most memorable scenes.
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'MacGruber' (2010) - This action adventure film was criticized for seeming like an 'SNL' sketch that went on for far too long.
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'Girl Most Likely' (2013) - Critics agree Wiig's talents seemed to be subdued by this film's witless and dull energy. She plays a once-promising playwright who stages an attempt to end her own life in order to get her ex-boyfriend back.
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'The Brothers Solomon' (2007) - Referred to as a "one-joke film," the movie follows two socially backward brothers whose dying father requests a grandchild. The impressive cast (Will Arnett, Will Forte) was still said to let audiences down.
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'Nasty Baby' (2015) - Wiig plays a woman helping her two gay friends have a child in this ambitious film which unfortunately left viewers feeling uneasy, largely due to the director's choices.
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'Masterminds' (2016) - Costarring Zach Galifianakis, this stranger-than-fiction true story is said to have been wasted on this unfunny and completely unbelievable comedy.
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'A Deadly Adoption' (2015)
- Wiig costars with Will Ferrell in what critics have called a "disposable" story about a successful couple who care for a pregnant woman in the hopes of adopting her child. It seems audiences would rather the two comedians not play it straight. See also: Comedians with dynamic dramatic roles
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Not all skits and giggles: Kristen Wiig’s film career
The talented actress and writer turns 48 on August 22
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Kristen Wiig, the hilarious former ‘SNL’ star, transitioned to the silver screen with ease, making whatever role, however small, tickle audiences with glee. Although she's a comedy queen, Wiig has also shown her talent as a serious actor more than once. She recently took on the role of Cheetah in the 'Wonder Woman' sequel, one of the biggest films of her career.
Not only is she a hilarious performer, she's also an accomplished writer. She co-wrote the movie 'Bridesmaids' which immediately became a comedy classic.
Click through this gallery to discover the wide range of films she's been in—you’ll be surprised at how many you haven't seen!
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