Nicole Frances Parker (born February 21, 1978) is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show Mad TV (2003–2009, 2016), for which she was a regular cast member. In 2009, Parker played Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, a role that she reprised on tour across North America. She voiced Penelope Pitstop in the animated series Wacky Races (2017–2019) and has appeared in the parody films Meet the Spartans and Disaster Movie (both 2008). Parker currently co-hosts the Earwolf podcast The Neighborhood Listen, along with comedian Paul F. Tompkins.
Nicole Parker | |
|---|---|
 Parker in September 2006 | |
| Born | Nicole Frances Parker February 21, 1978 Irvine, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Indiana University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Spouse |
Seth Redford (m. 2011) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editIn her hometown of Irvine, 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 City 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.[citation needed]
Career
editMad TV
editIn 2003, Parker joined the Season 9 cast of Mad TV. She was a featured performer, until Season 10, when she was promoted to cast member. Parker left the show on March 28, 2009, but appeared in sketches until the series finale in 2009.
Parker's most notable characters include Pat-Beth LaMontrose and the Disney Girl. She also had impersonated many notable celebrities, mostly singers such as Britney Spears, Ashlee and Jessica Simpson, Julie Andrews, James Blunt, and Judy Garland.
Characters
edit- Amy Little
- Annetta Bussley
- Beth
- Candy Matsumoto
- Charlene
- Disney Girl
- Elisssa
- Holly
- Joan Pedestrian
- Pat-Beth LaMontrose
- Sharon
- Toni Horse
- Tori McLachlan
Celebrity impressions
edit- Alanis Morissette
- Alexis Bledel
- Allison Janney
- Amy Winehouse
- Ashlee Simpson
- Ashley Judd
- Ashley Tisdale
- Britney Spears
- Cat Deely
- Celine Dion
- Christiane Amanpour
- Dina Lohan
- Elizabeth Smart
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Emily Strayer (of the Dixie Chicks)
- Emma Thompson
- Feist
- Fergie
- Gwen Stefani
- Hillary Clinton
- Hilary Swank
- James Blunt
- Jeanne Bice
- Jessica Simpson
- Joy Behar
- Judith Regan
- Judy Garland (as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz)
- Julie Andrews
- Kathy Griffin
- Katie Couric
- Katie Holmes
- Kelly Clarkson
- Kim Kardashian
- Kristin Cavallari
- Lauren Conrad
- Lisa Edelstein
- Lisa Gerrard
- Liza Minnelli
- Lucille Ball (as Lucy Ricardo in I Love Lucy)
- Maggie Grace (as Shannon Rutherford in Lost)
- Mary Kay Letourneau
- Melania Trump
- Nancy Grace
- Nelly Furtado
- Norah Jones
- Paula Abdul
- Paula Zahn
- Rachael Ray
- Renée Zellweger
- Samantha Harris
- Sarah Chalke
- Sarah Palin
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Sarah Silverman
- Sharon Osbourne
- Teresa Heinz Kerry
- Teri Hatcher (as Susan Mayer in Desperate Housewives)
- Tonya Harding
- Vivien Leigh (as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind)
Theatre
editIn 2004, Parker was nominated for a Jeff Award 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 the comedy musical Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.
In 2009, Parker replaced Marcie Dodd in the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production of the musical Wicked, from January 16. She starred opposite Alli Mauzey as Glinda.[1] She exited on July 19 at the end of her six-month contract and was replaced by Dee Roscioli.
Parker starred 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.[2]
Parker again starred as Elphaba in Wicked on the show's first North American tour. She reunited with Mauzey beginning performances in Denver, Colorado May 18, 2012. She replaced Mamie Parris.[3] She later left the production on September 24, 2012. In 2024, Parker played Ursula in The Muny production of The Little Mermaid, as well as Marie Dindon in the Pasadena Playhouse production of La Cage aux Folles.[4][5]
The Groundlings
editParker frequently guest performs in the improvisational comedy show Cookin' With Gas at The Groundlings Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Filmography
editFilm roles
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Four Years | Stacy | |
| 2008 | Disaster Movie | Enchanted Princess, Jessica Simpson and Amy Winehouse | |
| Meet the Spartans | Britney Spears, Paula Abdul, Paris Hilton and Ellen DeGeneres | ||
| Proposition 8: The Musical | California Gays and The People That Love Them | Short film | |
| 2009 | Funny People | Dawn | |
| Weathered | Weather Wellington | Short film | |
| 2012 | Sitting Babies | Keri | Short film |
Television roles
edit| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2009, 2016 | Mad TV | Various characters | 113 episodes |
| 2004–2008 | Higglytown Heroes | Window Washer Hero (voice) | 1 episode |
| 2005 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Herself | |
| 2012 | Bunk | 2 episodes | |
| Trust Us with Your Life | 1 episode | ||
| 2013 | Key & Peele | Fantine | |
| Mad | Various voices | 2 episodes | |
| 2014 | It Could Be Worse | Super Fan | 1 episode |
| Hot in Cleveland | Jessica | ||
| 2017 | Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Gwentolyn Swanson | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2018 | Bunnicula | Siobhan (voice) | |
| 2017–2019 | Wacky Races | Penelope Pitstop / Pandora Pitstop (voice) | Regular |
| 2020 | Let's Be Real | (voice) | 1 episode |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Fuenteovejuna | Laurencia | Musical (Regional) |
| Stuck | Director | Improv play (regional) | |
| 2004 | The Magic Flute | Pamina | Musical (regional) |
| The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet |
Juliet | Musical (regional) | |
| 2006–2007 | Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me | Various characters | Comedy musical (Broadway) |
| 2007–2008 | Suitcase Full of Lies | Jillane Jenkins | Comedy musical (regional)[6] |
| 2009 | Wicked | Elphaba | Musical (Broadway) |
| 2010 | Suitcase Full of Lies | Jillane Jenkins | Comedy musical (regional) |
| How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Rosemary | Musical (limited engagement)[7] | |
| 2011 | The People in the Picture | Red | Musical (Broadway)[8] |
| 2012 | Wicked | Elphaba | Musical (1st North American tour) |
| 2013 | Funny Girl | Fanny Brice | Musical (regional)[9] |
| 2014 | Dog & Pony | Mags | Musical (regional)[10] |
| 2015 | These Paper Bullets | Bea | Comedy musical (off-Broadway)[11] |
| 2017 | The Man in the Ceiling | Mother | Musical (regional) |
| 2023 | Titanique | Celine Dion | Comedy musical (off-Broadway) |
| 2024 | The Little Mermaid | Ursula | Musical (regional) |
| 2024 | La Cage aux Folles | Marie Dindon/Mme. Renaud | Musical (regional) |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Jeff Award[12] | Best Actress in a Principal Role | The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet | Nominated |
| 2009 | GLAAD Media Awards[13] | Special Recognition | Prop 8: The Musical | Won |
| Damah Film Festival[14] | Best Actress (Audience Award) | Short film, Weathered | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Madtv" Star Parker Will Be Broadway's New Elphaba; Tveit Returns, Too Archived 2009-01-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ People in the Picture Come Into Focus With Christopher Innvar, Alexander Gemignani, Chip Zien, Nicole Parker Archived 2011-02-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Wicked Tour to Welcome Nicole Parker and PJ Benjamin Archived 2012-05-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Savy Jackson, Michael Maliakel, Nicole Parker, Christopher Sieber, More Cast in Muny The Little Mermaid Playbill, April 30, 2024
- ^ The Pasadena Playhouse Unveils Cast for “La Cage aux Folles” The Pasadena Now, October 2, 2024
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Nicole Parker Returns To Birdland In SUITCASE FULL OF LIES 5/24".
- ^ BWW. "Photo Flash: Reprise Theater Company's HOW TO SUCCEED".
- ^ "Alexander Gemignani, Nicole Parker & More Join The People in the Picture on Broadway".
- ^ Grigware, Don (17 September 2013). "BWW Interviews: Nicole Parker Talks About How It Feels to Play Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL".
- ^ Verini, Bob (7 June 2014). "San Diego Theater Review: 'Dog and Pony'".
- ^ "Justin Kirk and Nicole Parker Rock Billie Joe Armstrong's These Paper Bullets! Musical, Starting Tonight - Playbill".
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Los Angeles Recap". 22 September 2011.
- ^ Joseph, Mark (3 October 2009). "Damah Film Festival Announces Winners". HuffPost.
