Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have a long history of friendship and collaboration that extends back over 20 years. Though they have distinct comedic voices and styles, their chemistry and rapport have made them one of the most popular comedy duos of the 2000s and 2010s.
How Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Met
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler first met in Chicago in 1993 when they were both young comedians coming up through the improv comedy scene. Fey was a member of Second City’s touring company while Poehler was part of the Upright Citizens Brigade improv troupe. They occasionally did shows together and got to know each other better. A key moment came in 1996 when they were both cast members of the iconic Chicago improv show “ImprovOlympic.” Their connection and comedic chemistry were evident from their early days performing together.
Working Together on SNL
In the late 1990s, Fey was hired as a writer on Saturday Night Live. A few years later in 2001, Poehler also joined the SNL cast. For many, their tenure on SNL cemented their status as an incredible comedy duo. Though they had differing roles on the show – with Fey as head writer and Poehler as cast member – they frequently collaborated on sketches together. Some of their most popular recurring sketches included “Weekend Update” segments where they played sisters, as well as sketches where they portrayed trashy women named Amber and Awesome. Their ability to bounce off each other’s humor and timing made them fast fan favorites.
Notable SNL Sketches
- “Mom Jeans” commercial parody
- “Annuale” birth control parody ad
- Debbie Downer Disneyland sketch
Fey and Poehler also became close friends during their time together at SNL from 2001-2006. Despite their different roles they were equals in many ways – with Fey even calling Poehler the “female quarterback” of the show. Their off-screen friendship fueled their on-screen chemistry.
Post-SNL Projects
After their stints together at SNL, Fey and Poehler continued working together frequently. Some projects that highlighted their chemistry included:
Baby Mama
This 2008 comedy film starred Poehler as a surrogate mother for Fey’s character. Their improvising skills were on full display as they played off each other in a hysterical odd-couple dynamic.
Golden Globes Hosting
From 2013-2015, Fey and Poehler co-hosted the Golden Globes awards show to widespread acclaim. Their jokes and banter received praise for being sharp, funny, and biting without being mean-spirited. Their natural rapport was perfect for the Globes stage.
Sisters
Fey and Poehler headlined this 2015 comedy film playing adult sisters throwing one last party in their childhood home. The premise maximized their real-life chemistry as friends with a lifelong connection.
Off-Screen Friendship
Beyond just being incredible comedy partners, Fey and Poehler are also extremely close friends off-screen. They support each other personally and professionally and have occasionally gotten matching tattoos together. Poehler was even a bridesmaid in Fey’s wedding to Jeff Richmond. They know each other extremely well after 20+ years of friendship.
Fey on Poehler
In her book Bossypants, Fey wrote: “There are some people who you become so close to, it’s really a kinship, it’s a deeper bond and I cannot think of anyone in my life outside of my immediate family that I have that kind of bond with.”
Poehler on Fey
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Poehler said: “Tina is just my best friend. The reason why we are such good friends is because we’re cut from the same cloth in a lot of ways. Also, she’s the funniest person I know.”
Recent Projects
In more recent years, Fey and Poehler have continued to seek out opportunities to collaborate:
- They co-hosted a special episode of Saturday Night Live in 2020.
- They served as executive producers on the 2021 comedy series Girls5eva starring Sara Bareilles.
- Their voices featured together in the animated film Soul in 2020.
- They are co-producing an upcoming comedy film The Nest.
Their joint projects have been less frequent since ending their SNL days, but their friendship remains as solid as ever.
Friendship Timeline
Year | Key Friendship Moments |
---|---|
1993 | Meet in Chicago comedy scene |
1996 | Perform together at ImprovOlympic |
2001 | Poehler joins SNL with Fey as head writer |
2008 | Co-star in Baby Mama film |
2013 | Begin Golden Globes hosting |
2015 | Co-star in Sisters film |
2020 | Guest host SNL together |
Conclusion
With over 20 years of friendship and many major collaborations under their belt, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have proven to be one of comedy’s most dynamic and successful duos. Their off-screen bond fuels an incredible on-screen chemistry and rapport. Though their projects together have slowed down in recent years as their careers have diverged, their friendship remains rock-solid after three decades in the comedy world. Fey and Poehler’s status as BFFs turned creative partners has cemented them as comedy icons who will always be linked together in pop culture history.