Quinta Brunson
{{Short description|American actress, writer, comedian and producer (born 1989)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Quinta Brunson
| image = Quinta Brunson Peabody Awards, Jun 2023.jpg
| caption = Brunson in 2023
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|12|21}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| education = Temple University
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|comedian|writer|producer}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Kevin Anik|2021|2025|end=sep}}
| notable works = Abbott Elementary
| years_active = 2014–present
}}
Quinta Brunson ({{IPAc-en|'|k|w|ɪ|n|t|ə}}; born December 21, 1989){{cite web |accessdate=2022-06-17 |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/people/quinta-brunson/ |title=Quinta Brunson |website=TV Insider |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001232348/https://www.tvinsider.com/people/quinta-brunson/ |url-status=live }} is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is best known for creating, executive producing, and co-writing the ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary (2021–present), in which she stars as second-grade teacher Janine Teagues. Brunson gained prominence in 2014 for her self-produced Instagram series Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date. She went on to produce and act in videos for BuzzFeed Video and developed two streaming series with BuzzFeed Motion Pictures.{{cite web |last=Gardner |first=Chris |date=2023-03-11 |title=Quinta Brunson Thanks "Under-Appreciated" 'Abbott Elementary' Publicists: "I Know I Annoy Them" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/quinta-brunson-abbott-elementary-awards-jerry-bruckheimer-top-gun-publicists-guild-awards-2023-1235348171/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311032302/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/quinta-brunson-abbott-elementary-awards-jerry-bruckheimer-top-gun-publicists-guild-awards-2023-1235348171/ |url-status=live }}
At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, she became the first Black woman to be nominated three times in the comedy category,{{Cite web |last=Dellatto |first=Marisa |title=2022 Emmys Nominations: Selena Gomez Snubbed, Dave Chappelle Nominated |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/07/12/2022-emmys-nominations-selena-gomez-snubbed-dave-chappelle-nominated/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=Forbes |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712165047/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/07/12/2022-emmys-nominations-selena-gomez-snubbed-dave-chappelle-nominated/ |url-status=live }} receiving nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (which she won), Outstanding Comedy Series (as an executive producer), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. At the 75th ceremony, she became the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy in over 40 years.{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=2024-01-16 |title=Quinta Brunson Becomes 1st Black Woman to Win Best Actress in a Comedy in Over 40 Years |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/awards/quinta-brunson-first-black-woman-win-best-actress-comedy-40-years-rcna134033 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.today.com |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116043024/https://www.today.com/popculture/awards/quinta-brunson-first-black-woman-win-best-actress-comedy-40-years-rcna134033 |url-status=live }} Brunson was honored with a 2022 Peabody Award for her work on Abbott Elementary. She was also placed on the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2022 list.{{Cite web |last=Searles |first=Jourdain |date=2019-08-02 |title=Robin Thede Is Changing the Game With A Black Lady Sketch Show |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/robin-thede-a-black-lady-sketch-show-hbo-interview.html |access-date=2019-08-03 |website=www.vulture.com |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802193258/https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/robin-thede-a-black-lady-sketch-show-hbo-interview.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Quinta Brunson |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/quinta-brunson/ |access-date=2018-12-06 |website=Forbes |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105211203/https://www.forbes.com/profile/quinta-brunson/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2018-02-21 |title='The End Of The World As We Know It': Quinta Brunson To Star In CW Pilot |url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-quinta-brunson-star-cw-pilot-1202298357/ |access-date=2018-12-06 |website=Deadline |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221230859/https://deadline.com/2018/02/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-quinta-brunson-star-cw-pilot-1202298357/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2018-10-04 |title=Jermaine Fowler, Quinta Brunson, Larry Wilmore Team for Multi-Cam Comedy at CBS |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/jermaine-fowler-quinta-brunson-larry-wilmore-cbs-comedy-1202968912/ |access-date=2018-12-06 |website=Variety |archive-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004225817/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/jermaine-fowler-quinta-brunson-larry-wilmore-cbs-comedy-1202968912/ |url-status=live }}
Brunson has acted in the series iZombie, Single Parents, and Miracle Workers; provided voice work for Lazor Wulf and Magical Girl Friendship Squad; and starred in the first season of the HBO sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show.
Early life and education
Brunson was born and raised in West Philadelphia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jetmag.com/entertainment/quinta-brunson-jet-interview/|last=Williams|first=Dee|title=JET Chats It Up With Comedian Quinta Brunson|website=Jet|access-date=2018-12-06|date=2016-10-11|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102345/https://www.jetmag.com/entertainment/quinta-brunson-jet-interview/|url-status=dead}} She attended Harrity Elementary School in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood.{{cite web |title=Snatch Game, The queens impersonate celebrities in the classic quick-fire comedy game show. Global All Stars winner Alyssa Edwards drops by the werkroom; actress and comedian Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)|url=https://www.mtv.com/fan-hub/drag-race |publisher=MTV}} Her name means "fifth" in Spanish and signifies that she is the youngest of five children.{{Cite book |last=Brunson |first=Quinta |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1228914151 |title=She memes well |date=2021 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-1-328-638984 |location=Boston |lccn=2020057706 |oclc=1228914151 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125000235/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1228914151 |url-status=live }} Her mother, Norma Jean, taught kindergarten and her father, Rick, managed parking lots. She was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses but left the religion when she was 21.{{Cite magazine |last=Fischer |first=Molly |date=2024-03-18 |title=How Quinta Brunson Hacked the Sitcom |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/25/quinta-brunson-profile |access-date=2024-05-10 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510083146/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/25/quinta-brunson-profile |url-status=live }}
She has described herself as "obsessed" with comedy from the time she attended the Charter High School for Architecture & Design in Philadelphia,{{cite web |last1=Cineas |first1=Fabiola |title=Quinta Brunson on Becoming an Internet Comedy Star — and Getting Paid |url=https://www.phillymag.com/business/2018/10/27/quinta-brunson-buzzfeed-television-comedy/ |website=Philly Magazine |date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027074752/https://www.phillymag.com/business/2018/10/27/quinta-brunson-buzzfeed-television-comedy/ |url-status=live }} and nurtured her interest by taking an improv class.{{Cite web|author=|date=2020-10-19|title=You Can't Put Quinta Brunson in a Box|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/quinta-brunson-interview-comedians-you-should-know-2020.html|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Vulture|language=en-us|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020200633/https://www.vulture.com/article/quinta-brunson-interview-comedians-you-should-know-2020.html|url-status=live}} Brunson attended Temple University{{cite web | url=https://news.temple.edu/news/2024-01-24/temple-stars-shine-bright-film-and-television-awards | title=Temple stars shine bright at film and television awards | date=January 24, 2024 | access-date=August 28, 2024 | archive-date=August 28, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828215246/https://news.temple.edu/news/2024-01-24/temple-stars-shine-bright-film-and-television-awards | url-status=live }} and took classes at Second City in Chicago her sophomore year. She dropped out of school shortly thereafter to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in comedy.{{Cite web|title=Quinta Brunson explains it all|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/22359210/quinta-brunson-explains-all|access-date=2018-12-06|website=espnW|date=February 7, 2018|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206102646/http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/article/22359210/quinta-brunson-explains-all|url-status=live}} She received an honorary degree in Fine Arts from Temple University in 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/quinta-brunson-receives-honorary-degree-temple-university | title=Quinta Brunson receives honorary degree from Temple University | date=May 8, 2024 | access-date=August 28, 2024 | archive-date=August 28, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828220934/https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/quinta-brunson-receives-honorary-degree-temple-university | url-status=live }}
Career
=2014–2017: Instagram and Buzzfeed=
Brunson originally garnered fans online by posting comedic videos to her Instagram in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/10/07/quinta-brunson-interview-fader-broke|title=Why Quinta Brunson Isn't Afraid To Stand Out|website=The FADER|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206234958/https://www.thefader.com/2016/10/07/quinta-brunson-interview-fader-broke|url-status=live}} In particular, her Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date series went viral and grew her digital fan base.{{Cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/quinta-brunson-interview/|title=Quinta Brunson Internet Comedian|website=Essence|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206145407/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/quinta-brunson-interview/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/quintabrunson/status/1076154953662693377|title=Quinta Birthday Tweet|date=2018-03-19|website=Okayplayer|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125023002/https://twitter.com/quintabrunson/status/1076154953662693377|url-status=live}} She then worked as a video producer for BuzzFeed Video after first freelancing for the company.{{Cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2016/10/03/buzzfeed-motion-pictures-youtube-red-quinta-brunson-broke/|title=BuzzFeed's Quinta Brunson makes YouTube Red debut with 'Broke'|last=Hamedy|first=Saba|website=Mashable|date=October 4, 2016|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=December 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208175222/https://mashable.com/2016/10/03/buzzfeed-motion-pictures-youtube-red-quinta-brunson-broke/|url-status=live}} Her videos primarily focused on problems experienced by twenty-somethings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/quinta-brunson-broke-youtube-show|title=BuzzFeed Star Quinta Brunson Sees the Comedy in Being Broke|website=Vogue|date=September 29, 2016|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223434/https://www.vogue.com/article/quinta-brunson-broke-youtube-show|url-status=live}}
In 2016, Brunson sold two web series as a development partner with BuzzFeed Motion Pictures:{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/buzzfeed-motion-pictures-sells-2-new-quinta-brunson-series-exclusive/|website=www.thewrap.com|access-date=2018-12-06|title=BuzzFeed Motion Pictures Sells Two Quinta Brunson Series|date=2016-09-07|archive-date=June 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602174916/https://www.thewrap.com/buzzfeed-motion-pictures-sells-2-new-quinta-brunson-series-exclusive/|url-status=live}} one scripted comedy called Broke for YouTube Red, which she wrote, produced, and starred in;{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/10/quinta-brunson-broke-series-youtube-red-buzzfeed-1201733291/|title=Quinta Brunson's 'Broke' Celebrates Black Friendship, Brings The Buzzfeed Touch To YouTube Red|last=Dry|first=Jude|date=2016-10-07|website=IndieWire|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206235059/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/10/quinta-brunson-broke-series-youtube-red-buzzfeed-1201733291/|url-status=live}} the second, Up for Adoption, was produced by Verizon's go90 video platform, which she also starred in. Brunson's performance in Broke was nominated for Best Acting in a Comedy at the Streamy Awards in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/streamys-2017-full-list-nominations-1031625|title=Vlogger Casey Neistat, Web Series 'Mr. Student Body President' Lead Nominations for 2017 Streamys|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Natalie|last=Jarvey|date=August 22, 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811032121/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/streamys-2017-full-list-nominations-1031625|url-status=live}}
=2018–present: ''A Black Lady Sketch Show'' and ''Abbott Elementary''=
Shortly after Brunson left BuzzFeed in 2018, she co-starred in her first network pilot, the CW pilot The End of the World as We Know It, but the show was not picked up by the network. She also wrote and produced a series called Quinta vs. Everything that streamed on Facebook Watch from 2017 to 2018. On October 4, 2018, it was announced that a pilot co-produced by Brunson, Larry Wilmore, and Jermaine Fowler would be developed by CBS into a multi-cam comedy called Quinta & Jermaine. The pilot would star Fowler and Brunson as longtime friends who must deal with an unplanned pregnancy; however, the show was not picked up.{{Cite web|last=Josephs|first=Brian|date=2019-09-26|title=NEXT: Quinta Brunson Is Going To Have It Her Way|url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/09/quinta-brunson-interview-next|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Vibe|language=en|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026172056/https://www.vibe.com/2019/09/quinta-brunson-interview-next|url-status=live}}
In 2019, she appeared as Dr. Charli Collier and her twin sister, Laila, on the supernatural comedy-drama series iZombie, and also voiced multiple characters in the animated series Lazor Wulf.{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=2021-02-16|title=Quinta Brunson to Write, Star in ABC Comedy Pilot 'Harrity Elementary'|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/quinta-brunson-abc-pilot-1234908833/|access-date=2021-08-29|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811114720/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/quinta-brunson-abc-pilot-1234908833/|url-status=live}} That fall, Brunson began to co-star and write in the HBO sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show, alongside Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, and Ashley Nicole Black;{{Cite web|url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/a-black-lady-sketch-show-reveals-a-cast-ready-to-make-1835024563|title=A Black Lady Sketch Show Reveals a Cast Ready to Make You Laugh|last=Ewing|first=Aliya Semper|website=The Grapevine|date=May 25, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-15|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525182612/https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/a-black-lady-sketch-show-reveals-a-cast-ready-to-make-1835024563|url-status=live}} but she left the second season due to scheduling conflicts.{{Cite web|last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra|date=2021-03-23|title='A Black Lady Sketch Show': HBO Sets Season 2 Premiere Date For Robin Thede Sketch Comedy Series|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/robin-thede-a-black-lady-sketch-show-season-2-hbo-max-1234720134/|access-date=2021-03-26|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325192304/https://deadline.com/2021/03/robin-thede-a-black-lady-sketch-show-season-2-hbo-max-1234720134/|url-status=live}} In 2020, Brunson co-starred in the Syfy animated series Magical Girl Friendship Squad, opposite Anna Akana.{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2020-01-17|title=Syfy Ramps Up Animation Push With First Original Series & Pilot Orders For New TZGZ Block|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/syfy-ramps-up-animation-push-first-original-series-pilot-orders-tzgz-block-1202830104/|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001180449/https://deadline.com/2020/01/syfy-ramps-up-animation-push-first-original-series-pilot-orders-tzgz-block-1202830104/|url-status=live}}
In 2021, Brunson appeared in a recurring role on the third season of Miracle Workers, and in June, her debut book, She Memes Well,{{Cite book |last=Brunson |first=Quinta |author-link=Quinta Brunson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmLHDwAAQBAJ |title=She Memes Well |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-1328638984 |publication-date=June 15, 2021 |language=en}} a collection of essays about her personal life and career, was released.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Brooklyn |title=Quinta Brunson Reveals Title Of Debut Book—'She Memes Well' |url=https://www.essence.com/articles/quinta-brunson-book/ |access-date=2021-03-26 |website=Essence |date=February 13, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125000256/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d37472b4a6622d0b1fff46ad904f6896.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.essence.com |url-status=live }}
Brunson's single-camera pilot (previously titled Harrity Elementary, named for the school she attended, which is now a charter school{{Cite web |title='Abbott Elementary' creator gifts West Philadelphia students at alma mater with free books |url=https://masterycharter.org/news/13916-2/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Mastery Charter School |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510083146/https://masterycharter.org/news/13916-2/ |url-status=live }}) was picked up by ABC with the new title Abbott Elementary in May 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-17|title=Quinta Brunson to write, star in ABC comedy pilot 'Harrity Elementary'|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/quinta-brunson-write-star-abc-comedy-pilot-harrity-elementary-n1258115|access-date=2021-03-26|website=NBC News|language=en|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327073545/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/quinta-brunson-write-star-abc-comedy-pilot-harrity-elementary-n1258115|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2021-03-26|title=Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, 3 More Join Quinta Brunson In Her ABC School Comedy Pilot|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/tyler-james-williams-sheryl-lee-ralph-quinta-brunson-abc-school-comedy-pilot-1234722746/|access-date=2021-03-26|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=January 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112222558/https://deadline.com/2021/03/tyler-james-williams-sheryl-lee-ralph-quinta-brunson-abc-school-comedy-pilot-1234722746/|url-status=live}} Brunson is also the writer, co-executive producer, and stars with Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, and Janelle James.{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2021-05-27|title=Quinta Brunson Joins Season 3 Of TBS' 'Miracle Workers' As Recurring|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/quinta-brunson-season-3-tbs-miracle-workers-recurring-1234764178/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=February 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209052201/https://deadline.com/2021/05/quinta-brunson-season-3-tbs-miracle-workers-recurring-1234764178/|url-status=live}} The series premiered on December 7, 2021, and received critical acclaim.{{Cite web|last=Han|first=Angie|date=2021-12-07|title=ABC's 'Abbott Elementary': TV Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/abbott-elementary-tv-review-1235055659/|access-date=2021-12-08|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207145034/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/abbott-elementary-tv-review-1235055659/|url-status=live}} As of October 2024, it holds a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 80 critics' reviews.{{Cite web |title=Abbot Elementary |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/abbott_elementary |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922100345/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/abbott_elementary |url-status=live }} Brunson received praise for bringing a fresh approach to network television with Abbott Elementary,{{Cite web |last=Puckett-Pope |first=Lauren |date=2022-04-13 |title=Quinta Brunson Has A Hit. Better Yet, She Has A Plan. |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a39690213/quinta-brunson-abbott-elementary-interview/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=ELLE |language=en-US |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508003606/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a39690213/quinta-brunson-abbott-elementary-interview/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Marchese |first=David |date=2022-03-28 |title=Quinta Brunson Knows Why America Was Ready for 'Abbott Elementary' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/28/magazine/quinta-brunson-interview.html |access-date=2022-05-20 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520053304/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/28/magazine/quinta-brunson-interview.html |url-status=live }} named after her real-life former middle school teacher, Ms. Abbott.{{Cite web |last=Broadway |first=Danielle |date=2022-01-11 |title=Quinta Brunson on the real-life teacher who inspired 'Abbott Elementary' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-01-11/quinta-brunson-was-a-scaredy-cat-then-she-met-the-teacher-who-inspired-her-sitcom |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} For the show's first season she was named to Time
In August 2022, Brunson signed a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television, the co-production studio of Abbott Elementary.{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=BreAnna |date=2022-08-11 |title='Abbott Elementary' Creator Quinta Brunson Inks Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/abbott-elementary-quinta-brunson-inks-overall-deal-warner-bros-tv-1235339081/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812021255/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/abbott-elementary-quinta-brunson-inks-overall-deal-warner-bros-tv-1235339081/ |url-status=live }}
Brunson has a guest starring role on the Party Down revival series.{{Cite web |last=Aurthur |first=Kate |date=2022-06-08 |title=Quinta Brunson Joins 'Party Down' Revival as Guest Star (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/quinta-brunson-party-down-1235288175/ |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In April 2023, she made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-02 |title='Abbott Elementary' star Quinta Brunson makes 'Saturday Night Live' hosting debut |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/quinta-brunson-saturday-night-live-host-philadelphia-abbott-elementary/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=PhillyVoice |language=english |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406003811/https://www.phillyvoice.com/quinta-brunson-saturday-night-live-host-philadelphia-abbott-elementary/ |url-status=live }} During the 2023 Met Gala, she gave an interview where she showed her support with the writers strike that was to start on the same night of the event.{{cite web |date=2023-05-02 |title=WGA Strike: Quinta Brunson, Amanda Seyfried Support Strike on Met Gala 2023 Carpet |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/wga-strike-quinta-brunson-amanda-seyfried-met-gala-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503034118/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/wga-strike-quinta-brunson-amanda-seyfried-met-gala-2023 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Teen Vogue}}
In 2023, Brunson won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for playing idealistic second-grade teacher Janine Teagues on Abbott Elementary. This win made her only the second Black actress to win in this category after Isabel Sanford, who won in 1981 for her role as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons.{{Cite web |last=Kindelan |first=Katie |date=January 16, 2024 |title='Abbott Elementary' star Quinta Brunson is 1st Black woman to win best comedic actress Emmy in over 40 years |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/abbott-elementary-star-quinta-brunson-1st-black-woman/story?id=106414981 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=ABCNews.go.com |language=en}} Ayo Edebiri won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series that same year, making it the first year that two Black actresses won the two female comedy acting categories in the Primetime Emmys.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/emmy-awards-2023-best-moments-8426580|title=Historic Wins, Incredible Speeches and That Kiss: The 12 Best Moments of the Emmy Awards|website=Peoplemag|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314152952/https://people.com/emmy-awards-2023-best-moments-8426580|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Brunson was married to Kevin Jay Anik. He works in California's legal-cannabis industry. They lived in the San Fernando Valley. She posted a photo of her engagement ring in 2020 but did not publicly confirm their marriage until she referred to Anik as her husband in her 2022 Emmys speech.{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Kelsie |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Who Is Quinta Brunson's Husband? All About Kevin Jay Anik |url=https://people.com/tv/who-is-kevin-jay-anik-quinta-brunson/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510083144/https://people.com/tv/who-is-kevin-jay-anik-quinta-brunson/ |url-status=live }} On March 20, 2025, Brunson announced she had filed for divorce due to “irreconcilable differences”. {{cite web |last=Esquibias |first=Liza |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Quinta Brunson Files For Divorce From Husband Kevin Jay Anik After 3 Years Of Marriage |url= https://people.com/quinta-brunson-files-for-divorce-from-husband-kevin-jay-anik-11700754 }}
Political activism
In October 2023, Brunson signed an open letter by Artists4Ceasefire, calling for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza.{{cite news |title=Celebrities call for ceasefire, decry civilian deaths: Hollywood reacts to Israel-Hamas war |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/10/16/israeli-palestinian-conflict-celebrity-reactions/71206600007/ |work=USA Today |date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229203527/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/10/16/israeli-palestinian-conflict-celebrity-reactions/71206600007/ |url-status=live }}
Accolades
- 2022 – Time 100 Most Influential People
- 2022 – Philadelphia City Council resolution honoring Brunson for her creation of Abbott Elementary{{cite web |last=Ralph |first=Pat |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/abbott-elementary-quinta-brunson-philadelphia-city-council-resolution/ |title=City Council honors Quinta Brunson for capturing Philly's spirit in 'Abbott Elementary' |website=PhillyVoice |date=January 31, 2022 |access-date=November 27, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310190608/https://www.phillyvoice.com/abbott-elementary-quinta-brunson-philadelphia-city-council-resolution/ |archive-date=March 10, 2022}}
- 2022 – The Hollywood Reporter{{'}}s Women in Entertainment Power 100 list{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/the-hollywood-reporters-2022-women-in-entertainment-power-100/|title=The Hollywood Reporter's 2022 Women in Entertainment Power 100|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Mikey|last=O'Connell|date=December 7, 2022|access-date=December 12, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209183814/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/the-hollywood-reporters-2022-women-in-entertainment-power-100/|url-status=live}}
- 2022 – Peabody Award as the creator of the hit mockumentary Abbott Elementary.{{Cite web |last=Voyles |first=Blake |date=September 7, 2023 |title=83rd Peabody Award Winners |url=https://peabodyawards.com/awards/winners/ |accessdate=September 7, 2023 |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523143853/https://peabodyawards.com/awards/winners/ |url-status=live }}
- 2023 – University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education commencement speaker{{Cite web |title=Quinta Brunson named 2023 Commencement speaker {{!}} Penn GSE |url=https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/quinta-brunson-named-2023-commencement-speaker |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.gse.upenn.edu}}
- 2024 – Temple University honorary degree and commencement speaker{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Quinta Brunson to receive honorary degree at Temple University's 2024 Commencement |url=https://news.temple.edu/news/2024-03-22/quinta-brunson-receive-honorary-degree-temple-universitys-2024-commencement |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Temple Now {{!}} news.temple.edu}}
- 2024 – Peabody Trailblazer Award{{cite web |last1=Coates |first1=Tyler |title=Peabody Awards: Mel Brooks, Quinta Brunson Tapped for Special Honors |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/peabody-awards-mel-brooks-quinta-brunson-1235888215/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 2, 2024 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=11 May 2024 |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511003955/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/peabody-awards-mel-brooks-quinta-brunson-1235888215/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Quinta Brunson - The Peabody Awards |url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/quinta-brunson/ |website=The Peabody Awards |access-date=11 May 2024}}
- 2025 – Brunson receives key to the City of Philadelphia{{Cite web |date=2025-05-28 |title=Philadelphia honors Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired 'Abbott Elementary' |url=https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-quinta-brunson-key-to-city-a3c2740ce6f16ed97a61fac4a0a759ab |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=AP News |language=en}}
Book
- 2021. She Memes Well: Essays. HarperCollins. Publication date June 15, 2021. {{ISBN|9781328637079}}
Filmography
{{Pending films key}}
= Film =
=Television=
= Music videos =
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|user=quintabvideos|Quinta Brunson}}
- {{Instagram|quintab}}
- {{IMDb name|6708435|Quinta Brunson}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Quinta Brunson
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{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Writing, Comedy Series}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyLeadActress}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyWriting}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actress TV Comedy}}
{{Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series}}
{{TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy}}
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