2016 Excellence Honoree

Actor, Writer, Producer

Tina Fey completed an iconic seven season run as the executive producer, head writer and star of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning, one-of- a-kind comedy series “30 Rock,” a comedy about the workplace behind-the- scenes of a live variety show. Her performances as Liz Lemon earned Fey an Emmy, two Golden Globes, four SAG Awards and a People’s Choice Award. In 2009, “30 Rock” was nominated for a record 22 Emmy Awards, the most ever of any comedy series on television in a single season. From 2012 to 2013, “30 Rock” received 13 total nominations for its final season, six of which were individual nominations for Fey.

Prior to creating “30 Rock,” Fey completed nine seasons as head writer, cast member and co-anchor of the “Weekend Update” segment on “Saturday Night Live.” Fey is an Emmy winner and two-time Writers Guild Award winner for her writing on “Saturday Night Live”. She won an Emmy in 2009 for Guest Appearance by an Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Sarah Palin on the 2008-2009 season of “Saturday Night Live.”

Since her transition to being in front of the camera, she has won much acclaim, including being named The Associated Press’ Entertainer of the Year in 2008, one of Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainers of the Year on numerous occasions, one of People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful People” (four times), and one of Time magazine’s “Prestigious Time 100” (two times). “30 Rock” has earned her six individual Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe for Outstanding Comedy Series, a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, three Writers Guild Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and two Producers Guild Awards. She has also won two Gracie Awards, a Made in New York Award and was the youngest recipient of the Mark Twain Award for American Humor in 2010. Fey also hosted the 2013 and 2014 Golden Globe Awards with Amy Poehler’s and both turns earned them two Emmy nominations each for Special Class Writing and Outstanding Special Class as hosts. Fey and Poehler will host the Golden Globes for a final time in January 2015.

Fey, once again teamed with writing partner, Robert Carlock, to executive produce and write the new hit Netflix original comedy, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” All thirteen episodes of the first season became available for streaming on Friday, March 6th, 2015. The show stars Ellie Kemper as the loveable and quirky cult survivor, ‘Kimmy Schmidt.’ Netflix has picked up the series for a second season, which was nominated in the “Best Comedy” category for the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards. The show also boasted four nominations for the talented cast; including a guest actress nod for Fey. The second season returned with rave reviews on April 15, 2016. The series was picked for a third season by Netflix. Carlock and Fey have teamed up again with writer Tracy Wigfield for a new NBC comedy sitcom “Good News.”

Fey starred in the film adaptation of journalist Kim Barker’s wartime memoir, The Taliban Shuffle, titled “Whisky Tango Foxtrot.” She produced the drama, from Paramount Pictures about Barker’s arrival as a fish-out- of-water in Kabul, Afghanistan. The film released on March 4, 2016.

On December 18th, 2015, Fey co-starred in the comedy “Sisters” along with Amy Poehler. Fey and Poehler played sisters who come home to find their parents’ house has been put up for sale. They spend a last wild weekend together bonding, feuding and finally growing up. “Sisters” was directed by Jason Moor and written by Paula Pell and released by Universal.

Last Spring, Fey appeared director Shawn Levy’s film adaptation of “This is Where I Leave You,” about a Jewish family forced to sit Shivah together for a week to placate their recently deceased father’s final wish. She joined the acclaimed ensemble cast of Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll and Kathryn Hahn. “This is Where I Leave You” was released by Warner Brothers on September 12th, 2014. Fey also co-stared opposite The Muppets, Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell as the Russian prison guard, ‘Nadya,’ in the European jewel-heist adventure, “Muppets Most Wanted.” “Muppets Most Wanted” was released by Disney on March 21st, 2014 and was directed by James Bobin.

Fey expanded to feature films in spring 2004 as both a screenwriter and an actress in the hit comedy “Mean Girls,” which earned her a nomination for a Writers Guild Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. On the big screen, Fey starred opposite Amy Poehler in the film “Baby Mama” for Universal Pictures, which exceeded the $50 million dollar mark at the U.S. box office. In 2010, Fey starred in 20th Century Fox’s film, “Date Night,” opposite Steve Carell and was a featured voice in the Dreamworks animated film “Megamind.”

In 2013, Fey co-stared in the Focus Feature film, “Admission,” which was released on March 22nd. “Admission” co-stared Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen and Lily Tomlin and was directed by Paul Weitz. She also appeared in the December 2013 comedy sequel of “Anchorman: The Legend Continues” with a cameo role.”Anchorman: The Legend Continues” starred Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and Christina Applegate.

In April 2011, Fey Released her first book, entitled Bossypants, which topped the New York Times best seller list and remained for 39 consecutive weeks. Bossypants was released in paperback in January 2012 and has sold over 2 million copies thus far.

In August 2015, Fey’s production company, Little Stranger, along with producing partners Robert Carlock and former “30 Rock” writer, Tracy Wigfield signed a deal with NBC to deliver a pilot centering around a mother-daughter relationship that is challenged when an overly involved New Jersey mom gets an internship at her daughter’s workplace.

Fey lives in New York with her husband, Jeff Richmond, and their two daughters.