Kate Berlant

Kate Elizabeth Méndez Berlant, born July 16, 1987, is an American comedian, actress, and writer known for her surrealist and absurdist style.

Born in Los Angeles, Berlant is the only child of performer Helen (née Méndez) and artist Tony Berlant. She is of Spanish descent on her mother's side and Jewish descent on her father's. She attended The Archer School for Girls in West Los Angeles and went on to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in performance studies from New York University.

Berlant made her television debut in a 2002 episode of Lizzie McGuire. Her screen career includes roles in comedy series as well as feature films such as Sorry to Bother You (2018), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and Don't Worry Darling (2022). As a stand-up comedian and performer, she appeared on The Tonight Show, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, and two 2016 episodes of Netflix's sketch comedy series The Characters. She won the American version of Taskmaster in 2018 and has frequently performed at arts venues including MoMA PS1, White Columns, the Getty Center, and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art.

Berlant has frequently collaborated with comedian John Early, co-creating the Vimeo original series 555. In June 2022, the pair released the Peacock sketch comedy special Would It Kill You to Laugh?, directed by Andrew DeYoung and backed by A24. Playing fictionalized versions of themselves, the duo incorporated short skits built from a decade of comedic collaboration. The special earned nominations for Best Comedy Special at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

In September 2022, Berlant's debut stand-up special, Cinnamon in the Wind, premiered on Hulu. Directed by Bo Burnham, it had been recorded in 2019 at the Upright Citizens Brigade. Concurrently, she performed her one-woman show Kate, which was also directed by Burnham and completed its stage run at the Pasadena Playhouse in February 2024. HBO announced her second solo special, Kate Berlant: Parmesan, in September 2026, scheduled for release in October 2026 under the direction of Doron Max Hagay.

In November 2020, Berlant and Jacqueline Novak launched the wellness satire podcast Poog. After leaving its original network in October 2024, they launched the independent podcast Berlant & Novak, later acquiring Poog's rights and relaunching it under its original title in April 2026.

Berlant joined the Democratic Socialists of America in December 2019 and resides in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. She is in a relationship with music producer and MUNA band member Naomi McPherson.