Nicole Parker
Encyclopedia
Nicole Frances Parker is an Emmy Award
-winning actress and singer best known for her work on Fox
's sketch comedy
show MADtv
. In July 2009, she concluded her run as Elphaba
in the Broadway
production of Wicked
. She can currently be seen in the new Broadway musical, The People in the Picture
.
, California
, she performed at South Coast Repertory
and Laguna Playhouse. She also studied Theatre and Voice at Indiana University
and performed in an improv troupe called Full Frontal Comedy. After college, Parker performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
, the Second City
in Chicago, Bloemendaal
, Unhinged Academy and Groningen. In addition, she and some college friends formed a theater company in New York
called Waterwell Productions. Parker moved to Amsterdam
for two years, where she performed in the comedy show Boom Chicago
alongside MADtv alumni Ike Barinholtz
and Jordan Peele
.
MADtv
Parker joined the cast of MADtv
in 2003 as a featured performer for the ninth season. She was promoted to cast member status the following season. Parker's most noteworthy characters include Inside Looking Out host Pat-Beth LaMontrose and the carefree yet naive Disney Girl.
She has a long celebrity impressionist list, often imitating pop-music stars in parody music videos. Parker left the show on the first week of November 2008, but appeared in pretaped sketches until MADtvs series finale in 2009.
, Ellen DeGeneres
, Paula Abdul
, Kathy Griffin
, Lauren Conrad
in various parodies of Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County
and The Hills
. She also is known for her James Blunt
parody of his song 'You're Beautiful'.
From July 2006 to January 2007, Parker performed in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me comedy musical.
In 2009 Parker played the role of Elphaba
in the Broadway
production of the musical Wicked
, for a six month run, opposite Alli Mauzey
as Glinda from January 16 through July 19.
Parker is currently starring in the new musical The People in the Picture
, which began performances at Studio 54
on April 1, 2011 and officially opened on April 28, 2011.
Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winning actress and singer best known for her work on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's sketch comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
show MADtv
MADtv
MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
. In July 2009, she concluded her run as Elphaba
Elphaba
Elphaba Thropp is a fictional character in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, as well as in the Broadway and West End adaptations, Wicked. In the original L. Frank Baum book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is unnamed and little...
in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Wicked
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
. She can currently be seen in the new Broadway musical, The People in the Picture
The People in the Picture
The People in the Picture is a musical with book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. The musical is about a grandmother recalling her life in the Yiddish theater and the Holocaust.-Production:...
.
Early life
In her hometown of IrvineIrvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, she performed at South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory is a professional theatre company located in Costa Mesa, California.Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei, is widely...
and Laguna Playhouse. She also studied Theatre and Voice at Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
and performed in an improv troupe called Full Frontal Comedy. After college, Parker performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
, the Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
in Chicago, Bloemendaal
Bloemendaal
Bloemendaal is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. According to the Dutch Central Statistical Bureau, Bloemendaal is the wealthiest place in the Netherlands.-Population centres :...
, Unhinged Academy and Groningen. In addition, she and some college friends formed a theater company in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
called Waterwell Productions. Parker moved to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
for two years, where she performed in the comedy show Boom Chicago
Boom Chicago
Boom Chicago is a creative group, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that writes and performs sketch and improvisational comedy at the Leidseplein Theater...
alongside MADtv alumni Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz
Isaac "Ike" Barinholtz is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. Barinholtz is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv from 2002-2007.-Early life:...
and Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is an American actor and comedian known as a cast member on MADtv from 2003–2008 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Brian on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital...
.
MADtvMADtvMADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
Parker joined the cast of MADtvMADtv
MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
in 2003 as a featured performer for the ninth season. She was promoted to cast member status the following season. Parker's most noteworthy characters include Inside Looking Out host Pat-Beth LaMontrose and the carefree yet naive Disney Girl.
She has a long celebrity impressionist list, often imitating pop-music stars in parody music videos. Parker left the show on the first week of November 2008, but appeared in pretaped sketches until MADtvs series finale in 2009.
Characters (as seen on MADtv)
- Annetta Bussley (The Lillian Verner Game Show)
- Ashlee Simpson
- Beth (Sean the Floor Leader)
- Britney Spears
- Candy Matsumoto (Hello Hollywood/Iraq, Hello!)
- Charlene (Baby Joey)
- Disney Girl
- Pat-Beth LaMontrose (Inside Looking Out)
- Tori McLachlan, a singer/songwriter who performs depressing songs
- Toni Horse (Fashion Surprise)
- Elisssa (GirliciousGirliciousGirlicious is an American girl group originally formed by Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls, from the CW reality TV show Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious. The group was originally signed to Geffen Records and composed of members Natalie Mejia, Chrystina Sayers, Nichole Corvoda and...
) - Amy Little (Nice White Lady)
- Sharon (Teller Conference)
- Kim Kardashian ("Keeping up with the kardashians")
- Nelly Furtado (Syphilis Girl- parody of "Promiscuous Girl" )
Parodies
Parker also impersonated many celebrities. Some of her more popular impersonations included Britney SpearsBritney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season....
, Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
, Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin
Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin is an American actress, stand-up comedienne, television personality, New York Times best-selling author and an LGBT rights advocate. Griffin first gained recognition for appearances on two episodes of Seinfeld, and then for her supporting role on the NBC sitcom...
, Lauren Conrad
Lauren Conrad
Lauren Katherine Conrad is an American television personality, celebutante, and fashion designer. She came to prominence with her starring roles on the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and its spin-off series, The Hills, which at one point followed her personal and...
in various parodies of Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County
Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County
Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, often referred to simply as Laguna Beach, is a reality television series which originally aired on MTV from September 28, 2004 until November 16, 2006. It documents the lives of several teenagers living in Laguna Beach, an affluent seaside community located in...
and The Hills
The Hills
The Hills is a reality television series which originally aired on MTV from May 31, 2006 until July 13, 2010. The show uses a reality television format, following the personal lives of several young adults living in Los Angeles, California, but tends towards a narrative format more commonly found...
. She also is known for her James Blunt
James Blunt
James Hillier Blount , better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005...
parody of his song 'You're Beautiful'.
Broadway musical career
In 2004 Parker was Nominated for Jeff Award nomination for Best Actress in a Principal Role: Musical, for her performance in The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet.From July 2006 to January 2007, Parker performed in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me comedy musical.
In 2009 Parker played the role of Elphaba
Elphaba
Elphaba Thropp is a fictional character in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, as well as in the Broadway and West End adaptations, Wicked. In the original L. Frank Baum book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is unnamed and little...
in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of the musical Wicked
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
, for a six month run, opposite Alli Mauzey
Alli Mauzey
Alli Mauzey is an American actress from Anaheim Hills, California.She made her Broadway debut as Brenda in Hairspray in 2003. Her "big break" came when she starred as Lenora in the Broadway musical Cry Baby for which she won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Drama League Award.In...
as Glinda from January 16 through July 19.
Parker is currently starring in the new musical The People in the Picture
The People in the Picture
The People in the Picture is a musical with book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. The musical is about a grandmother recalling her life in the Yiddish theater and the Holocaust.-Production:...
, which began performances at Studio 54
Studio 54
Studio 54 was a highly popular discotheque from 1977 until 1991, located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA. It was originally the Gallo Opera House, opening in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming a CBS radio and television studio. In 1977 it...
on April 1, 2011 and officially opened on April 28, 2011.
The Groundlings
Parker frequently guest performs in the improvisational comedy show Cookin' With Gas at The GroundlingsThe Groundlings
The Groundlings are an improvisational comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin to produce sketches and improvised scenes...
Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
Theatre roles
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Fuenteovejuna | Laurencia | Musical (Regional) |
| 2003 | Stuck | Director | Improv Play (Regional) |
| 2004 | The Magic Flute | Pamina | Musical (Regional) |
| 2004 | Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet | Juliet | Musical (Regional) |
| 2006–2007 | Martin Short Martin Short Martin Hayter Short, CM is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, singer and producer. He is best-known for his comedy work, particularly on the TV programs SCTV and Saturday Night Live... : Fame Becomes Me |
Various Characters | Comedy Musical (Broadway) |
| 2008 | Proposition 8: The Musical | California Gays and The People That Love Them | Comedy Musical |
| 2007–2008 | Suitcase Full of Lies | Jillane Jenkins | Comedy Musical (Regional) |
| 2009 | Wicked Wicked (musical) Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard... |
Elphaba | Musical (Broadway) |
| 2010 | Suitcase Full of Lies | Jillane Jenkins | Comedy Musical (Regional) |
| 2010 | "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" | Rosemary | Musical (Limited Engagement) |
| 2011 | The People in the Picture The People in the Picture The People in the Picture is a musical with book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler. The musical is about a grandmother recalling her life in the Yiddish theater and the Holocaust.-Production:... |
Red | Musical (Broadway) |
Television roles
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes | Episode Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2009 | MADtv MADtv MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first... |
Various Characters | Sketch Comedy | 113 Episodes |
| 2005 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List is a reality show starring Kathy Griffin. The series aired on Bravo. It debuted in August 2005, and was cancelled in November 2010.... |
Herself | Comedy/Reality | 1 Episode |
Film roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Box Office Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Four Years | as Stacy | Short Film Comedy Movie | |
| 2008 | Meet the Spartans Meet the Spartans Meet the Spartans is a 2008 parody film directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Similar to past movies, such as Scary Movie, Date Movie, and most recently Epic Movie, it directs parodies at various films. Although it references many movies, TV shows, people and pop cultural events, it... |
as Britney Spears Britney Spears Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album... , Paula Abdul Paula Abdul Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits... , Paris Hilton Paris Hilton Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood... and Ellen DeGeneres Ellen DeGeneres Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season.... |
Parody Movie | $84,021,565 |
| Disaster Movie Disaster Movie Disaster Movie is a 2008 parody film. It is written and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, and stars Carmen Electra, Kim Kardashian, Matt Lanter, Nicole Parker, Crista Flanagan, Vanessa Minnillo, and Ike Barinholtz... |
as Enchanted Princess, Jessica Simpson Jessica Simpson Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and... , Amy Winehouse Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize... |
Parody Movie | $31,683,375 | |
| 2009 | Weathered | as Weather Wellington | Short Film Drama Movie | |
| Funny People Funny People Funny People is a 2009 American comedy-drama film written, co-produced and directed by Judd Apatow, and starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann. The film was released on 31 July 2009 in North America, and on 28 August 2009 in the United Kingdom. Funny People uses considerably more... |
as Dawn | Comedy-Drama Movie | $50,200,497 | |
Award wins and nominations
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Nominated Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Nominated | Jeff Award | Best Actress in a Principal Role | Musical, The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet |
| 2006 | Won | Emmy Award Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... |
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | MADtv MADtv MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first... , for the song "A Wonderfully Normal Day" – for episode #1111 |
| 2007 | Nominated | Emmy Award | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | MADtv MADtv MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first... , for the song "Merry Ex-Mas" – for episode #1209 |
| 2009 | Won | GLAAD Media Awards GLAAD Media Awards The GLAAD Media Award is an accolade bestowed by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives... |
Special Recognition | Prop 8: The Musical |
| 2009 | Won | Damah Film Festival | Best Actress (Audience Award) | Short film, Weathered |