Michelle Buteau
Born 1977 · Age 48
American stand-up comedian, actress, television host, producer and podcast host from New Jersey. Known for stand-up specials, podcasts, films and Netflix series; author of Survival of the Thickest.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in New Jersey
Michelle Buteau born in Hamilton Township / New Jersey to a Haitian father and a Jamaican mother.
Started college at Florida International University (estimated)
Attended Florida International University studying television production and pursuing entertainment reporting (start year estimated based on age).
Began working as a local TV news producer in New York City
Worked as a local TV news producer (news footage editor) in New York City, often the overnight shift, after college.
Graduated (estimated) Florida International University
Estimated graduation year after studying television production and entertainment reporting at FIU (exact year not specified in source).
Career shift due to 9/11
Deciding moment: after covering 9/11 and burning out in news, she moved into comedy — a personal milestone that shaped her career.
Transitioned full-time to stand-up comedy
Left news production/editing to pursue stand-up comedy following 9/11 and her first performance.
First stand-up performance (three days after 9/11)
Performed comedy for the first time three days after the September 11 attacks, after burning out on covering the news.
First television spot on Comedy Central
After around five years performing stand-up Buteau landed her first television spot on Comedy Central.
Married Gijs van der Most
Married Dutch photographer Gijs van der Most (IMDB lists the marriage date as July 31, 2010).
TV guest: Whitney (pilot)
Appeared as 'Girlfriend' in the pilot episode of Whitney (TV series).
Recurring appearances on Key & Peele
Appeared in two episodes of Key & Peele as wife/girlfriend roles (2012–2013).
Voice/role in China, IL
Voiced characters Wendeloquence / Mrs. Falgot across six episodes of China, IL (2013).
Series regular: Enlisted (recurring role)
Played Private Robinson in the FOX sitcom Enlisted (recurring in 2014).
Guest appearance on The Jim Gaffigan Show
Appeared as Amelia for one episode on The Jim Gaffigan Show.
Comedy Central Snapchat involvement (feature/experiment)
Featured/took over Comedy Central's Snapchat experiment as covered by Business Insider in 2016.
Appeared on Broad City (host / guest)
Served as Host/guest on Broad City (credited 2016).
Named one of '10 Comedians to Watch' by Esquire
Esquire listed Michelle Buteau among its 10 comedians to watch in 2017.
Role on The Tick
Appeared as Beck in two episodes of The Tick (2017).
Appeared on Netflix's 'The Comedy Lineup' and other high-visibility platforms
2018 marked increased national visibility with Netflix, Time coverage, and other major outlets, raising profile considerably.
Launched 'Late Night Whenever!' podcast
Started hosting the Late Night Whenever! podcast (coverage dated January 2018).
Featured in Netflix's The Comedy Lineup
Appeared on Netflix's The Comedy Lineup where up-and-coming comedians have 15-minute stand-up sets.
Appeared on 2 Dope Queens (TV)
Credit on 2 Dope Queens in 2018 as herself (episode appearance).
Time names podcast among 'Best Podcasts of 2018 So Far'
Time magazine labeled Late Night Whenever! as one of the best podcasts of 2018 so far (June 2018).
Other 2019 film roles (Sell By and others)
Appeared in Sell By and other films in 2019 (credited roles across multiple films).
Film role: Isn't It Romantic released
Appeared as Martina in the feature Isn't It Romantic (released Feb 14, 2019).
Launched WNYC podcast 'Adulting' (co-host)
Began hosting the WNYC podcast Adulting with co-host Jordan Carlos (2019).
Cast in TV series: First Wives Club (main role)
Played Bree Washington as a main cast member on the TV series First Wives Club (2019–2022).
Appeared in Tales of the City (recurring)
Appeared as Wrenita Butler in the television continuation Tales of the City (2019).
Birth of twins via surrogacy
Michelle Buteau and husband Gijs van der Most had twins born in January 2019 via gestational surrogacy (children named Hazel and Otis per IMDB).
Major film career acceleration
2019 saw multiple film credits (Isn't It Romantic, Someone Great, Always Be My Maybe, Sell By) increasing industry profile.
Personal: Catholic faith noted publicly
Michelle Buteau is publicly identified as Catholic (personal detail influencing identity/perspective).
Film role: Someone Great (released)
Appeared as Cynthia in Netflix film Someone Great (April 2019 release).
Film role: Always Be My Maybe (released)
Appeared as Veronica in Netflix film Always Be My Maybe (May 31, 2019 release).
Released stand-up special 'Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia' (Netflix)
Stand-up special released and later recognized at awards.
Began hosting Netflix's The Circle
Started hosting the Netflix reality competition The Circle (US) when Netflix launched the series in early 2020.
Cross-medium success: book, TV hosting, special
In 2020 Buteau published a book, hosted a Netflix reality show and released a stand-up special, marking a career diversification milestone.
Published book 'Survival of the Thickest'
Published a collection of personal essays titled Survival of the Thickest with Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster imprint).
Won Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Comedy Special
Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia won the 2021 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Comedy Special.
Hosted The American Barbecue Showdown (Series 2) & Weekend Getaway
Served as host on The American Barbecue Showdown (series 2) and Weekend Getaway with Michelle Buteau (credits 2021 onward).
Industry recognition increases profile and bookings
Winning Critics' Choice for Best Comedy Special led to elevated standing in comedy/TV circles and more hosting/acting offers.
Appearances in 2022 films and TV (Marry Me, Clerks III, voice roles)
Credits include Marry Me (Melissa), Crush (Principal Collins), Clerks III (Lisa), voice roles (e.g., Zootopia+), and other film/TV roles in 2022.
TV adaptation premiere: Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
A TV adaptation of her memoir Survival of the Thickest premiered on Netflix in 2023 with Buteau starring.
Casting news: voice role in 'Fixed' (animation)
Variety reported June 13, 2023 that Buteau is part of the voice cast for the Genndy Tartakovsky animated feature Fixed (credited as Molasses voice).
Cast in 2024 film 'Babes' (Pamela Adlon)
Cast in a prominent role as Dawn in Pamela Adlon's 2024 film Babes.
Host: Barbecue Showdown Season 3
Served as host for Barbecue Showdown season 3 (8 episodes, 2024).
Netflix special: 'A Buteau-ful Mind' at Radio City Music Hall
Stand-up special 'Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall' (Netflix) recorded/released (archived reference date Dec 31, 2024).
Continued status: Years active 2001–present
Publicly credited as active in entertainment since 2001 to present (ongoing career).
Upcoming film credit: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible... Road Trip
Listed credit for an upcoming 2025 film 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip' as Missy McGill (TBA release).
Key Achievement Ages
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