Paula Pell (born April 15, 1963) is an American comedy writer, producer, and actress, best known for her work writing for the sketch series Saturday Night Live.
Pell was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2013 (she also had a brief stint as head writer, two stint as a writing supervisor, and has returned for several guest writing spots since then). She is credited with creating some of its memorable characters such as Debbie Downer, the Culps, Justin Timberlake’s Omeletteville mascot, and the Spartan Cheerleaders, among others. Pell is the longest-tenured female writer in the history of the show.
She also was a producer and writer for the sitcom 30 Rock, and is credited with writing the episodes "Argus" and "Floyd". In 2006, a pilot she wrote, Thick and Thin, was picked up by NBC for 13 episodes, with Pell as executive producer, but it never aired in the United States. Pell has worked with Judd Apatow providing additional writing for the films Bridesmaids and This is 40.
Pell co-starred alongside several other Saturday Night Live alumnae in the 2019 Netflix original comedy Wine Country.
On August 10, 2020, the comedy-mystery Mapleworth Murders, which she also co-wrote and executive produced, aired on Quibi.
In 2021, she stars in the comedy series Girls5eva.
SNL Career[]
- 1995-2013: Writer (Last episode: December 21, 2013)
- 1997-2005; 2008-09: Writing Supervisor
- 2006-2008: Head Writer