Tig Notaro
Born 1971 · Age 54
American stand-up comedian, writer, radio contributor, actress and podcaster known for deadpan, personal comedy; breakthrough came with her 2012 "Live" set following a breast cancer diagnosis. Active 2001–present.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Jackson, Mississippi
Mathilde O'Callaghan Notaro (known as Tig) was born in Jackson, Mississippi to Mathilde 'Susie' O'Callaghan and Pat Notaro.
Family moved to suburb of Houston, Texas
At about age six Tig moved with her mother and stepfather to Spring, Texas (a Houston suburb); she spent summers back in Mississippi.
Dropped out of high school (9th grade)
Tig struggled in school, failing grades and ultimately dropped out in 9th grade (decision occurred during teenage years).
Moved to Denver and worked in music industry
Tig moved to Denver, became involved in the music industry and played in/managed bands; developed promotion experience.
Received GED
While living in Texas, Tig received her general equivalency diploma (GED).
Founded/operated Tignation Promotions (band manager/promoter)
Worked under the name Tignation Promotions as a band manager and promoter in the mid-1990s while in Denver.
Moved to Los Angeles; tried stand-up for first time
At about age 25 Tig relocated to Los Angeles and began trying stand-up comedy in the late 1990s at open mics and small venues.
Listed as professionally active
Infobox lists Tig's years active starting 2001 — marking the formal start of her professional career in entertainment.
Comedy Central Presents half-hour special
Tig starred in a Comedy Central Presents half-hour stand-up special, a major early TV credit.
Appeared on NBC's Last Comic Standing
Two years after her Comedy Central special she appeared on Last Comic Standing (broadening national exposure).
Began recurring role on The Sarah Silverman Program
Tig became a recurring actor (Officer Tig) on The Sarah Silverman Program, a multi-year TV role (2007–2010).
Released short/video Have Tig at Your Party
Released 'Have Tig at Your Party' video (also credited as director, writer, executive producer); later used as bonus content.
Several TV guest roles and short films
Appeared in short films and guest roles on TV series (e.g., In the Motherhood, other guest spots) expanding screen credits.
Wrote for 2010 MTV Movie Awards
Credited as a writer for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards (television writing credit).
Long-term monthly shows and festival curation (Bentzen Ball involvement)
By 2011–2013 Tig curated/ran regular shows and festivals (Bentzen Ball involvement noted in interviews) and performed living-room tours that became specials.
Released debut album 'Good One'
Debut stand-up album Good One released (label: Secretly Canadian) as CD+DVD, LP, digital formats.
Launched Professor Blastoff podcast (co-host)
Co‑hosted the podcast Professor Blastoff with Kyle Dunnigan and David Huntsberger (ran May 2011–July 2015; 217 episodes).
Numerous radio appearances (Fresh Air, Science Friday)
Broadcast appearances include NPR's Fresh Air (Oct 8, 2012), PRI Science Friday (Dec 7, 2012), and multiple This American Life episodes (2012–2016).
Underwent double mastectomy and hormone-blocking treatment
Following diagnosis and public set, Tig had a double mastectomy (no reconstruction) and opted for hormone-blocking therapy rather than chemotherapy.
Performed on This American Life live episode
Appeared on the live episode of This American Life (May 2012), performed a monologue about Taylor Dayne that included Dayne's surprise appearance.
Released Kickstarter-funded series 'Clown Service'
Wrote and starred in a short series 'Clown Service' that was funded via Kickstarter (June 2012); specific funding amount not listed.
Diagnosed with breast cancer
Tig Notaro was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts (stage reported in media) on July 30, 2012.
Legendary Largo stand-up set addressing cancer
Performed an intimate, candid set at Largo in Los Angeles on Aug 3, 2012, about her diagnosis and personal tragedies; the performance became widely praised.
Louis C.K. contacted Tig to release Largo audio
Louis C.K. called Tig the day after the Largo set to offer to release the audio of the performance on his site.
Sales milestone: 'Live' sells ~75,000 copies
Reports indicate 'Live' sold approximately 75,000 copies after release and outsold Kiss's 'Monster' in its debut week.
Louis C.K. made 'Live' download available
Louis C.K. made the audio of Tig's Largo set available for download (titled 'Live') on his site in October 2012; Tig later released it on iTunes.
Feature film debut in 'In a World...'
Tig made a notable feature film appearance in 'In a World...' (2013), credited as Cher.
Released 'Live: Deluxe Edition' and continued TV work
Released a deluxe edition of Live (2013) and continued writing/TV appearances including work on Inside Amy Schumer and film roles.
Showtime documentary announced: 'Knock Knock, It's Tig Notaro'
Showtime announced a documentary chronicling Tig's life and post-cancer tour; the film documents her recovery and touring.
Grammy nomination for 'Live' (Best Comedy Album)
'Live' was nominated in 2014 for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (56th Annual Grammys).
Host – 56th Grammy Awards Pre-Telecast Ceremony
Tig hosted the pre-telecast ceremony for the 56th Grammy Awards (listed in filmography/TV credits).
Nominated – multiple awards for writing/recordings
Her special and albums drew nominations including a 2016 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing (Boyish Girl Interrupted) and two Grammy nominations (2014, 2017).
Hospitalized after Philadelphia show; cyst surgery required
After a November 2014 performance in Philadelphia, Tig was hospitalized and required surgery for a cyst.
Town Hall topless show revealing mastectomy scars
As part of New York Comedy Festival in November 2014, Tig performed part of her set topless, showing her mastectomy scars; widely covered and praised.
Hosted Sundance Film Festival Closing Night Awards Ceremony
Tig hosted the Sundance Film Festival Closing Night Awards Ceremony in 2015 (televised special).
HBO special 'Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted' released
Tig's first one-hour stand-up special premiered on HBO in 2015 (also directed/written/EP by Tig).
Netflix documentary 'Tig' released
Netflix released 'Tig' in July 2015, chronicling Tig and partner Stephanie Allynne's attempts to become parents; Sharon Van Etten contributed a song.
Married Stephanie Allynne
Tig married actress/writer Stephanie Allynne in 2015 in Pass Christian, Mississippi; ceremony officiated by a Catholic deacon who is Tig's cousin.
Pilot 'One Mississippi' made available (Amazon pilot)
Tig co-wrote, produced and starred in a semi-autobiographical pilot One Mississippi (pilot posted Nov 2015); about returning home after mother's death.
Amazon orders 'One Mississippi' series (6 episodes)
A month after the pilot, Amazon gave One Mississippi a six-episode series order (December 2015).
Published memoir 'I'm Just a Person'
Tig's memoir 'I'm Just a Person' was published by Ecco Press (2016); audiobook released on Harper Audio.
Released album 'Boyish Girl Interrupted' and Bentzen Ball Records involvement
The HBO special was released as the album Boyish Girl Interrupted (2016) on Bentzen Ball Records — noted in sources as Tig's own label involvement.
Mississippi Governor’s Arts Award for Artist Achievement
Tig received the Mississippi Governor's Arts Award for Artist Achievement (noted in Mississippi Encyclopedia, 2016).
Grammy nomination for 'Boyish Girl Interrupted' album (2017 ceremony)
The album Boyish Girl Interrupted was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album at the 59th Grammys (nomination credited to 2017 ceremony).
Twin sons born
Tig and Stephanie welcomed twin sons (Max and Finn) in 2016 via a surrogate using Allynne's eggs; publicized in June 2016.
Adopted vegan diet and credited health improvement
In 2017 Tig adopted a vegan diet and credited it with eliminating chronic pain experienced after her cancer diagnosis.
Cast as Jett Reno on Star Trek: Discovery (season 2)
Tig was cast as Chief Engineer Jett Reno on Star Trek: Discovery (initially a guest role in seasons 2 and 3).
Netflix special 'Happy to Be Here' released
Netflix released Tig's second one-hour special, 'Happy to Be Here', on May 22, 2018.
Hosted 'Under a Rock with Tig Notaro' (podcast/series)
Tig hosted the series 'Under a Rock with Tig Notaro' in 2019 (12 episodes), interviewing celebrities and creators.
Appeared on Finding Your Roots; learned relation to Gloria Steinem
On Finding Your Roots (season 5) Tig learned she is a distant cousin of Gloria Steinem and learned more about ancestor John Fitzpatrick.
Launched 'Don't Ask Tig' podcast (host)
Started hosting the 'Don't Ask Tig' podcast (listed as running 2020–2024).
Digitally inserted into 'Army of the Dead' (post-production recasting)
Tig was digitally inserted into Zack Snyder's 'Army of the Dead' to replace Chris D'Elia after misconduct allegations; announced 2021.
Animated special 'Drawn' released (HBO/HBO Max)
Released the animated stand-up special 'Drawn' (2021) on HBO Max; Tig credited as writer and executive producer.
Released album 'Drawn'
Released the album 'Drawn' (Comedy Dynamics) in 2022 across formats (CD, LP, digital).
Launched 'Handsome' podcast (co-host)
Started co-hosting the podcast 'Handsome' with Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin (2023–present).
Estimated net worth around $5M (public estimate)
Multiple recent profiles and aggregated estimates list Tig Notaro's net worth at approximately $5 million as of 2024.
Released special & album 'Hello Again'
Released the special 'Hello Again' (Amazon Prime Video) and the 'Hello Again' album (Secretly Canadian) in 2024.
Joined Starfleet Academy as series regular (announcement)
Variety reported (July 27, 2024) that Tig would continue to play Jett Reno as a series regular on the upcoming 'Starfleet Academy' series.
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