Comedy Writer, Producer & Actress; Longest-Tenured Female Writer in SNL History

New York, NY, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Paula Pell Biography

Paula Pell is a comedy writer, producer, and actress known for her significant contributions to sketch comedy and television writing. Pell served as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" for nearly two decades, becoming the longest-tenured female writer in the show's history. Her journey to NBC's iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza began after studying acting and visual art, followed by work at Walt Disney World and participation in the SAK Comedy Lab improv troupe. A sketch comedy pilot with the troupe ultimately led to her recruitment by SNL Executive Producer Lorne Michaels.

Pell joined "Saturday Night Live" as a writer during the 1995–96 season, collaborating with cast members such as Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri to develop memorable characters like the Spartan Cheerleaders. She played a key role during a period of creative resurgence for the show, particularly as writing supervisor, contributing sketches that highlighted the talents of Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph. Pell created the well-known "Debbie Downer" sketch, which became a hallmark of the show's comedic style. Her work on "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" has been recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program and six Writers Guild of America Awards. Pell has also received the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special and the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence.

Beyond her work on "Saturday Night Live," Pell contributed as a producer and writer for "30 Rock," penning episodes such as "Argus" and "Floyd." She wrote the feature screenplay for "Sisters," produced by Tina Fey, and provided additional writing for the films "Bridesmaids" and "This Is 40." Pell has produced, written, and performed in numerous television series and has written for major awards ceremonies including the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and MTV Video Music Awards.

Pell has also established herself as a performer, voicing characters in the Pixar film "Inside Out" and co-starring in the Netflix comedy "Wine Country." She co-wrote and executive produced the comedy-mystery "Mapleworth Murders," earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. Pell stars as Gloria McManus in the Peacock comedy series "Girls5eva," further demonstrating her versatility in the entertainment industry. Her career encompasses television writing, sketch comedy, film, and performance, making her a prominent figure in American comedy.

BOOK Paula Pell

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/01/2026.

Paula Pell Videos

Girls5Eva interview at 2021 Variety Music for Screens Summit

Girls5Eva interview at 2021 Variety Music for Screens Summit

The cast of Girls5Eva (Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Renee Elise Goldsberry) gets interviewed at the Variety Music for Screens...

2020 Writers Guild Awards – Paula Pell presented the Herb Sargent Award

2020 Writers Guild Awards – Paula Pell presented the Herb Sargent Award

Amy Poehler presents the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence to Paula Pell at the 72nd annual Writers Guild Awards at New York’s Edison...

The Sit Down: Paula Pell

The Sit Down: Paula Pell

The star of "Wine Country" chats with CBS Local's DJ Sixsmith about her time at "Saturday Night Live," what it was like to work on "Bridesmaids" and...

  • How do I book Paula Pell to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Paula Pell for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Paula Pell, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Paula Pell or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Paula Pell

    Speaking fees for Paula Pell, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Paula Pell are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Paula Pell, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Paula Pell speak about?

    Paula Pell is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Celebrity, Comedian, Entertainment, LGBTQ, Television & Film
  • Where does Paula Pell travel from?

    Paula Pell generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Paula Pell’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Paula Pell for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Paula Pell for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Paula Pell or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Paula Pell is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Paula Pell for your event is available upon request. Paula Pell generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rachel Dratch, Seth Meyers, Rachel Sennott, Meg Stalter and Heidi Gardner. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Paula Pell for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP