Retta
Marietta Sirleaf, better known simply as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She is mainly known for her starring role as Donna Meagle on NBC's Parks and Recreation. She has appeared in several films and television shows, and has performed stand-up on Comedy Central's Premium Blend. Retta is from New Jersey, and graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She started working in the pharmaceutical research field before moving to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in comedy.Retta started performing stand-up comedy in 1996, although she said she did not start "earning money" until 1998, when she started touring on the college circuit. Retta said she used to get "really nauseated" before a performance, but that the feeling passed with experience.Retta has said her stand-up material tends to be slightly embellished stories from her regular everyday life, family, and friends. She has also made jokes about her obesity. Retta has stated she would give up stand-up comedy for a full-time acting career if possible: "I'm not married to stand-up, just because it's a road thing. It's very lonely with all the traveling.
68 acting credits · 1 directing credit
Acting · 68
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019
Bob's Burgers
2011
The Jennifer Hudson Show
2022
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2005
Parks and Recreation
2009
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
Elsbeth
2024
Big Mouth
2017
The Morning Show
2019
DuckTales
2017
Key & Peele
2012
Good Girls
2018
Drunk History
2013
Moesha
1996
Bubble Guppies
2011
The Boys Presents: Diabolical
2022
A Little Late with Lilly Singh
2019
Match Game
2016
To Tell the Truth
2016
Carpool Karaoke: The Series
2017
The $100,000 Pyramid
2016
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
2021
Home Movie: The Princess Bride
2020
Hollywood Game Night
2013
Celebrity Name Game
2014
Comedy Central Presents
1998
Duncanville
2020
Fracture
2007
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
2015
Hit Man
2024
The Lego Ninjago Movie
2017
Freddie
2005
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce
2014
Good Boys
2019
Where's Waldo?
2019
Get Organized with The Home Edit
2020
Sex and Death 101
2007
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
2016
Father Figures
2017
80 for Brady
2023
Dragon Wars: D-War
2007
Ugliest House in America
2022
The Greatest Hits
2024
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
2003
Slackers
2002
Sex Ed
2014
Scariest House in America
2024
To the Bone
2017
Band Aid
2017
The Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation
2020
First Sunday
2008
Lipshitz Saves the World
2007
Other People
2016
The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie
2024
A Parks and Recreation Special
2020
Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong
2023
Where's the Money
2017
A Legendary Christmas with John & Chrissy
2018
Muffin Top: A Love Story
2014
Operator
2016
Come Simi
2015
Rebel on Ice
2015
Kissing Cousins
2008
That Friend
2026
Critics' Choice Television Awards
2011