Saturday Night Live alum and comedic genius, Maya Rudolph is laugh-out-loud funny whether she portrays Vice President Kamala Harris or saying “Bubble bath” as Connie on Big Mouth. In addition to her comedy roles on TV, of course, including her most recent role in the Apple TV+ series Loot as Molly Novak/Wells, Rudolph boasts a film career filmed with fine performances. Up next, in fact, she will appear in the Enchanted sequel Disenchanted, opposite Amy Adams.

Rudolph is a reigning queen of comedy, who is versatile enough to take audiences on emotional journeys with her any of roles, comedic or otherwise. If anyone is at the top of their game in portraying real or fictional characters, it’s Rudolph each time. With many exciting things on the horizon, it’s a great time to dive into Maya Rudolph’s best performances.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 The Angry Birds Movie

     Columbia Pictures

For many Millennials, the Rovio computer game Angry Birds was an addictive pastime, and due to its increasing popularity, it was only natural for a film to be made. The Angry Birds Movie coincided with the game’s third anniversary. With an extremely hilarious ensemble cast including Josh Gad and Kate McKinnon, Rudolph fit right in as the voice of Matilda. In the game, Matilda is the only bird who lays eggs, which fits right in with her film counterpart: the leader of the Infinity Acceptance Group. As a guidance counselor, she facilitates meetings to help her neighbors work through their anger issues. Matilda doesn’t have as big of a role as Red or Chuck, but Rudolph definitely steals each scene.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

6 Bridesmaids

     Universal Pictures

In one of her more serious roles, Rudolph plays Lilian in Bridesmaids, the best friend of Annie whose current life is a train wreck. When Lilian becomes engaged, her best friends Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Helen (Rose Byrne) become competitive as to who is the better best friend. Annie’s struggles take center stage as Lilian prepares to get married, but as well-intentioned as Annie is to make her best friend’s big day perfect, things keep falling through. Rudolph’s portrayal of someone caught between two friends is a depth many actors cannot reach. Typically, a person pitted against friends chooses the more recent friend who ends up betraying them. Except Lilian doesn’t want to give up on Annie. She’s simply doing what she believes is best for herself.

5 Loot

     AppleTV+

Molly Novak is known as tech billionaire John Novak’s (Adam Scott) wife, until she discovers he is having an affair. During an incredibly public divorce, Molly is now faced with discovering who she is at the age of 45. In spite of everything going on globally, it’s true what Collider claims: only Rudolph makes billionaires lovable. Her performance as a woman grieving her marriage by escaping, albeit through partying, is somewhat relatable. When we lose someone we love, facing it can be less than exciting. Rudolph is joined by the marvelous Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose) and Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island). Loot has been renewed for a second season, and Rudolph’s hilarious antics as Molly Wells have certainly just begun.

4 Wine Country

     Paper Kite Pictures

Wine Country might look like a reunion of SNL alum, but that’s just the beginning. Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Tina Fey are joined by Emily Spivey and Paula Pell for this girls’ weekend adventure full of silly antics, deep conversations, and wild revelations. As Naomi, Rudolph is once again thrust into the throes of despair while wearing a smile. Before the trip, Naomi had visited her doctor whom she was now avoiding with news of a test result. Yet, she’s the one Rebecca turns to in revealing a secret: she hates her life.

3 SNL

     NBC

During her tenure on the comedy sketch show, Rudolph has portrayed everyone from Diana Ross to Whitney Houston. During the 2020 election cycle, she returned to SNL to portray now-Vice President Kamala Harris. One of her best non-celebrity characters is from a sketch called Bronx Beat. Rudolph portrays Jodi Dietz alongside Poehler’s Betty Caruso, where they both riff on current events. Of course, one of her best characters is her impersonation of the Queen herself, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

2 Big Mouth

     Netflix

From the mind of comedian Nick Kroll comes the animated, puberty centered comedy series Big Mouth. Nick (Kroll), Andrew (John Mulaney), Jessi (Jessi Glaser), Jay (Jason Mantzoukas), and their peers have all begun puberty and are being coached by Hormone Monsters Maury and Connie. Maury splits his time between the teen boys while Connie helps Jessi. When Jessi slips into depression under Connie’s watch, she is reassigned to Nick, who is having a rough time adjusting to his new life. Connie is always down for a bubble bath and for Nick to get his groove on. She has a love-hate relationship with Maury who both understands and disgusts her. Rudolph also voices Connie in the spin-off Human Resources.

1 Away We Go

     Focus Features

In one of her more serious roles, Rudolph plays Verona in Away We Go, a young woman who discovers that she is pregnant with her long-time boyfriend, Burt (John Krasinski). After Burt’s parents announce they’re moving to Sweden, Verona is initially upset that they have no family around, but then realizes that she and Burt can consequently live anywhere. On a cross-national trek, they visit friends who are parents, though some are clearly more compassionate than others in their parenting techniques. Verona is soft-spoken but strong-willed, especially when Burt tries to propose to her. The film has an incredible ensemble of comedians like Allison Janney (Mom), Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), and Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men).