Maya Rudolph was born on July 27, 1972, in Gainesville, Florida, to Richard Rudolph, a renowned music producer, and the late soul singer Minnie Riperton, an African-American woman of remarkable talent. Her father, Richard, hails from a Jewish family with roots in Lithuania, Russia, Germany, and Hungary, making Maya a proud representative of mixed heritage.
As a young child, Maya, her parents, and her older brother, Marc Rudolph, relocated to California in 1973 to support Minnie's burgeoning music career. This move proved pivotal, as it was during this period that Minnie recorded her most famous single, "Lovin' You," in which Maya's name is lovingly incorporated into the song's refrain. Minnie revealed that the song served as a lullaby for Maya, showcasing the deep affection and connection between mother and daughter.
Maya's adolescence was marked by her attendance at St. Augustine by the Sea School, where she formed a lasting bond with childhood friend Gwyneth Paltrow. The Paltrows and the Rudolphs developed a close-knit relationship, which would later result in Richard Rudolph and Maya collaborating as music supervisors on the 2000 film Duets, directed by Gwyneth's father, Bruce Paltrow, and starring Gwyneth herself.
Maya's academic pursuits led her to enroll at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1990, where she majored in photography. During her time at the university, she co-founded the band "Supersauce" with fellow students. Following her graduation in 1994, Maya left the band and soon joined The Rentals, fronted by Weezer bassist Matt Sharp. As a member of the group, Maya contributed backup vocals to the 1999 release "Seven More Minutes," showcasing her versatility as a musician.
Maya's stint with The Rentals came to an end, and she subsequently pursued her passion for comedy, joining the esteemed troupe "The Groundlings." Her decision to leave the music world behind marked the beginning of a remarkable career in comedy, which would ultimately lead her to join the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2000.
As a cast member on SNL, Maya became known for her impressive impressions, including a dead-on portrayal of fashion icon Donatella Versace. Her characters, such as high school flake "Megan" and a member of the R&B parody "Gemini's Twin," have become fan favorites. In 2006, Maya co-starred in the film A Prairie Home Companion, directed by the legendary Robert Altman and based on the NPR show by Garrison Keillor.
Maya Rudolph is also a devoted mother to her four children, whom she shares with her partner, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
