Alia Shawkat

Alia Shawkat is an actress, producer, writer, and visual artist whose career spans more than two decades across a wide range of genres. Shawkat began her career after appearing in a Calvin Klein catalog, which led to her first film role opposite George Clooney in "Three Kings." She gained early recognition as Hannah Rayburn in the ABC Family series "State of Grace," before securing a defining role in television comedy.

Shawkat's breakthrough came with her portrayal of Maeby Fünke in the sitcom "Arrested Development." The Emmy Award–winning series became a cult classic, and her performance contributed to its reputation in the world of television comedy.

Shawkat starred as Dory Sief in "Search Party," a dark comedy that evolved from millennial satire to psychosexual thriller. Over five seasons, she both starred in and produced the HBO Max series, demonstrating her range in acting and production. She co-wrote the independent film "Duck Butter" with director Miguel Arteta, further establishing her work in independent film. Shawkat also appeared in Aaron Sorkin's Amazon Studios film "Being the Ricardos," portraying I Love Lucy writer Madelyn Pugh alongside Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem.

Shawkat has continued to diversify her work, appearing in the psychological thriller "Blink Twice," directed by Zoë Kravitz, and starring as Fayruz in the war comedy "Atropia," directed by Hailey Gates and produced by Luca Guadagnino. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. Shawkat has also provided voice work for the Star Wars series "Skeleton Crew" and the animated series "#1 Happy Family USA," and appeared in a short film directed by Spike Jonze. In 2026, she starred in "The Wrong Girls."

In addition to her screen work, Shawkat is a singer and painter, exhibiting paintings and drawings that reflect personal and cultural themes. She has guest starred as historical figures Frances Cleveland, Virginia Hall, and Alexander Hamilton on Comedy Central's "Drunk History," highlighting her versatility in both comedy and drama. Shawkat's career encompasses television, film, independent cinema, voice acting, and visual arts, making her a notable figure in the entertainment industry.