Sarah Silverman
Born 1970 · Age 55
American stand-up comedian, actress, writer and political activist known for subversive comedy, television (The Sarah Silverman Program), film roles, voice acting (Vanellope in Wreck-It Ralph), memoir The Bedwetter, podcasting, and stage musical adaptations.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Concord/Bedford, New Hampshire
Sarah Kate Silverman born to Beth Ann (Halpin) and Donald Silverman in Concord; raised in Manchester and Bedford, NH.
Became vegetarian
Silverman became a vegetarian at age 10 (personal lifestyle milestone mentioned repeatedly in interviews).
First stand-up performance (Boston)
Performed stand-up for the first time in Boston at age 17; described the performance as 'awful'.
Graduated The Derryfield School
Graduated high school in Manchester/Bedford, New Hampshire (The Derryfield School).
Attended New York University (one year)
Enrolled at NYU for approximately one year studying drama before dropping out to pursue comedy in Greenwich Village.
Began professional stand-up career
Silverman began her professional stand-up career (started touring comedy clubs regularly).
Hired as writer/featured player on Saturday Night Live
Joined SNL for the 1993–94 season (18 weeks) as a writer and featured player; one of her first major TV breaks.
Fired from Saturday Night Live
Left SNL after one season; has said being fired hurt her confidence but ultimately strengthened her career resilience.
Cast member on Mr. Show (HBO)
Starred on the sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995–1997), expanding her TV comedy resume.
Star Trek: Voyager guest appearance
Guest-starred in the two-part time-travel episode 'Future's End'.
Starred in independent film 'Who's the Caboose?'
Co-starred/co-created the indie comedy about comedians navigating pilot season; later adapted into a short TV sequel Pilot Season.
Appeared on Seinfeld ('The Money')
Guest appearance on Seinfeld episode 'The Money'.
Network stand-up debut on Late Show with David Letterman
Made her network stand-up debut on David Letterman's show (July 3, 1997).
Conan O'Brien interview controversy (use of racial slur)
Used the slur 'chink' in an ironic joke during a TV interview with Conan O'Brien; drew public objections and debate about intent and taste.
Began dating Jimmy Kimmel (relationship 2002–2009)
High-profile relationship with Jimmy Kimmel, referenced in comedy; couple split and reconciled multiple times before final split in 2009.
Series regular on Greg the Bunny; voice work on Crank Yankers
Had a regular role on Greg the Bunny and voiced Hadassah Guberman on Crank Yankers (from 2002).
Small role in School of Rock
Appeared in popular feature film School of Rock (one of several film roles that grew her visibility).
Released concert film 'Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic'
Concert film based on her one-woman show; directed by Liam Lynch, distributed by Roadside Attractions.
Placed #50 on Maxim Hot 100 List
Named 50th on Maxim's Hot 100 for 2006 (public profile/visibility milestone).
Debut of The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central
Her sitcom premiered February 2007, portraying fictionalized versions of her and her sister; first season averaged ~1.81 million viewers.
Hosted MTV Movie Awards (controversial monologue)
Hosted MTV Movie Awards (June 2007); delivered jokes about Paris Hilton that generated controversy and later apology.
Appeared at MTV Video Music Awards (mocked Britney Spears)
Performed at VMAs (Sept 2007) and made remarks about Britney Spears that later attracted criticism and regret.
Released 'I'm Fucking Matt Damon' video on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Viral comedic music video duet with Matt Damon aired on Kimmel's show (Jan 2008), generating major online attention.
Won Creative Arts Emmy for 'I'm Fucking Matt Damon' (Original Music & Lyrics)
Won a Creative Arts Emmy (Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics) for the Kimmel video (Sept 13, 2008).
Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress
Nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for The Sarah Silverman Program.
Published memoir 'The Bedwetter'
Released The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee (memoir covering childhood, bedwetting, and depression).
Starred in 'Take This Waltz' premiered at TIFF
Played Geraldine in Sarah Polley's Take This Waltz; film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival (well-received).
Voiced Vanellope von Schweetz in Wreck-It Ralph
Provided voice for one of the main characters in Disney's Wreck-It Ralph (2012); role later reprised in 2018 sequel.
Released voter ID PSA (JCER-funded)
Public service announcement criticizing new voter ID laws, financed by Jewish Council for Education & Research (Sept 20, 2012).
NBC pilot 'Susan in 313' ordered but not picked up
Starred in NBC pilot Susan in 313 for 2012–2013 season; praised by Variety but ultimately not picked up as a series.
Launched Jash YouTube channel (creative partner)
Part of the creative team launching comedy YouTube channel JASH with Michael Cera, Reggie Watts, Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim (premiered Mar 10, 2013).
Won Writers Guild of America Award (Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special)
WGA award for writing on Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles (recognition for writing a comedy special).
Relationship with Michael Sheen acknowledged publicly
At the 2014 Emmy Awards, Silverman acknowledged being in a relationship with actor Michael Sheen (relationship lasted until 2018).
Appeared in 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' (release)
Played Ruth in Seth MacFarlane's western comedy (released May 30, 2014).
Lead role in 'I Smile Back' — critical acclaim & SAG nomination
Starred in I Smile Back (2015); received critical praise and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role.
Introduced Bernie Sanders at large LA rally (~27,500 attendees)
Active in progressive politics; introduced Bernie Sanders at a Los Angeles rally attended by over 27,500 people (Aug 2015).
Hospitalized for epiglottitis (ICU week)
Spent a week in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Hospital with epiglottitis (July 2016).
Spoke in support of Hillary Clinton at the DNC
Originally supported Bernie Sanders; after Democratic nomination, spoke in support of Hillary Clinton at the 2016 Democratic National Convention (July 2016).
Hosted Hulu late-night talk show 'I Love You, America'
Began hosting the Hulu series I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman (ran 2017–late 2018).
Reprised Vanellope voice in 'Ralph Breaks the Internet'
Reprised her role as Vanellope von Schweetz in the 2018 Disney sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Publicly described as a primary investor in Lowell Herb Co
Announced as a primary investor in Lowell Herb Co, a cannabis company aiming to help end cannabis prohibition (exact investment date not specified in text).
Received death wishes from pastors over 'Jesus Is Magic' routine
Two Baptist pastors publicly wished her death over a 2005 joke about Jesus; she condemned the pastors and defended the comedic context.
Featured in 'Laughing Matters' documentary on comedians & mental health
Participated in 30-minute SoulPancake/Funny or Die documentary discussing mental health (Oct 10, 2019).
Launched The Sarah Silverman Podcast
Debuted a new podcast (Oct 2020) covering personal life, politics, societal issues and listener call-ins (Kast Media partnership).
Premiered off-Broadway musical adaptation of 'The Bedwetter'
Adapted her memoir into an off-Broadway musical (book & lyrics by Silverman); premiered at Atlantic Theatre Company's Linda Gross Theatre (Apr 30–Jul 10, 2022).
Parents died nine days apart (personal loss)
Her parents died nine days apart in 2023 — a major personal event that shaped later material (e.g., Netflix special Postmortem).
Social media controversy over Gaza war posts; left DSA
Faced criticism for Instagram story posts in support of some Israeli wartime measures; subsequently left the Democratic Socialists of America in reaction to the organization's response to Hamas attacks (Oct 2023).
Stand-up special 'Someone You Love' premiered on Max
Released the stand-up special Someone You Love on HBO Max (first stand-up special to premiere on Max); filmed at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston.
Received Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle nominations for The Bedwetter musical
Nominated for Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Lyrics) and Outer Critics Circle Award (Outstanding New Score) for the musical adaptation.
Filed lawsuit against OpenAI and Meta (with two other authors)
Sued OpenAI and Meta alleging their language models were trained on authors' books without permission/compensation (July 2023).
Won Writers Guild of America Award for 'Someone You Love'
WGA Award for Outstanding Comedy/Variety Special (Someone You Love) — recognized for writing on the special (2024 WGA).
Began hosting 'Stupid Pet Tricks' on TBS
Started hosting the comedy variety series Stupid Pet Tricks on TBS (Feb 2024), based on David Letterman's segment; first season 10 episodes.
Netflix stand-up special 'Postmortem' premiered
Postmortem premiered on Netflix May 20, 2025; material largely addresses grieving her parents who died in 2023; recorded at Beacon Theatre, NYC.
Key Achievement Ages
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