Quinta Brunson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Quinta Brunson
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![]() Brunson in 2023
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Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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December 21, 1989
Education | Temple University |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2014–present |
Notable work
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Abbott Elementary |
Spouse(s) |
Kevin Anik
(m. 2021; sep 2025) |
Quinta Brunson (born December 21, 1989) is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is well-known for creating, producing, and starring in the TV comedy series Abbott Elementary. In the show, she plays Janine Teagues, a second-grade teacher.
Quinta first became popular in 2014 with her online series Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date. She later worked for BuzzFeed Video, creating and acting in many videos. She also developed two streaming shows with BuzzFeed.
Quinta has won many awards for her work. At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, she was the first Black woman to get three nominations in comedy categories. She won for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. At the 75th Emmy Awards, she made history again. She became the first Black woman in over 40 years to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Abbott Elementary also received a Peabody Award. In 2022, Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People.
Quinta has also acted in other TV shows like iZombie, Single Parents, and Miracle Workers. She has lent her voice to animated series such as Lazor Wulf and Magical Girl Friendship Squad. She also starred in the first season of the HBO comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Quinta Brunson grew up in West Philadelphia. She went to Harrity Elementary School. Her name, "Quinta," means "fifth" in Spanish. This is because she is the youngest of five children. Her mother, Norma Jean, was a kindergarten teacher. Her father, Rick, managed parking lots.
Quinta loved comedy from a young age. She attended the Charter High School for Architecture & Design in Philadelphia. To learn more about comedy, she took an improv class. She later went to Temple University. During her second year, she took classes at The Second City in Chicago. Soon after, she left college to move to Los Angeles. There, she wanted to start a career in comedy. In 2024, Temple University gave her an honorary degree in Fine Arts.
Career Highlights
2014–2017: Online Success with Instagram and BuzzFeed
Quinta Brunson first gained fans by sharing funny videos on her Instagram in 2014. Her series Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date became very popular. This helped her gain a large online following.
After freelancing, she became a video producer for BuzzFeed Video. Her videos often focused on everyday problems faced by young adults.
In 2016, Quinta sold two web series. She worked with BuzzFeed Motion Pictures as a development partner. One show was a comedy called Broke for YouTube Red. She wrote, produced, and starred in it. The second show, Up for Adoption, was for Verizon's go90 platform. She also starred in this series. For her role in Broke, Quinta was nominated for Best Acting in a Comedy at the Streamy Awards in 2017.
2018–Present: A Black Lady Sketch Show and Abbott Elementary
After leaving BuzzFeed in 2018, Quinta acted in a TV pilot called The End of the World as We Know It. However, the show was not picked up by the network. She also created and produced a series called Quinta vs. Everything. This show streamed on Facebook Watch from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, it was announced that CBS would develop a comedy pilot called Quinta & Jermaine. Quinta co-produced and was set to star in it, but the show was not made.
In 2019, she appeared in the show iZombie. She also voiced characters in the animated series Lazor Wulf. That fall, Quinta began to star in and write for the HBO comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show. She left the show after the first season due to other work commitments. In 2020, Quinta also voiced a main character in the animated series Magical Girl Friendship Squad.
In 2021, Quinta had a recurring role in the third season of Miracle Workers. In June 2021, her first book, She Memes Well, was released. It is a collection of essays about her life and career.
Quinta's TV pilot, originally named Harrity Elementary after her old school, was picked up by ABC. It was renamed Abbott Elementary and premiered on December 7, 2021. Quinta is the creator, writer, and executive producer of the show. She also stars in it alongside Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, and Tyler James Williams. The series has received great reviews. As of October 2024, it has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Quinta has been praised for bringing a fresh style to network television with Abbott Elementary. The show is named after her real-life former middle school teacher, Ms. Abbott.
In September 2022, Quinta won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing For a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary. This made her the first Black woman to win that award by herself. The series also won a Peabody Award in 2023.
In August 2022, Quinta signed a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television. This studio co-produces Abbott Elementary.
Quinta had a guest role on the Party Down revival series. In April 2023, she hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time. During the 2023 Met Gala, she spoke out in support of the writers strike.
In 2023, Quinta won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for playing Janine Teagues on Abbott Elementary. This made her only the second Black actress to win in this category. Isabel Sanford won it in 1981 for The Jeffersons. That same year, Ayo Edebiri won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. This was the first time two Black actresses won both female comedy acting Emmys in the same year.
Personal Life
Quinta Brunson was married to Kevin Jay Anik. They lived in the San Fernando Valley. She shared a photo of her engagement ring in 2020. She confirmed her marriage in her 2022 Emmys speech. On March 20, 2025, Quinta announced she had filed for divorce.
Political Activism
In October 2023, Quinta Brunson signed an open letter from Artists4Ceasefire. This letter called for an end to the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Accolades
- 2022 – Time 100 Most Influential People
- 2022 – Philadelphia City Council honored Brunson for creating Abbott Elementary
- 2022 – The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 list
- 2022 – Peabody Award as the creator of Abbott Elementary
- 2023 – University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education commencement speaker
- 2024 – Temple University honorary degree and commencement speaker
- 2024 – Peabody Trailblazer Award
- 2025 – Brunson receives key to the City of Philadelphia
Book
- 2021. She Memes Well: Essays. HarperCollins. Published June 15, 2021. ISBN: 9781328637079
Filmography
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Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Film Roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2020 | An American Pickle | Female Interviewee | |
2021 | As of Yet | Lyssa | |
2022 | Weird: The Al Yankovic Story | Oprah Winfrey | |
2024 | A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter | Herself | |
2024 | Golden | N/A | Unreleased |
2025 | Zootopia 2 ![]() |
Dr. Fuzzby | Voice, In production |
2026 | The Cat in the Hat ![]() |
Sherri | Voice, In production |
Television Roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2017 | Broke | Miloh | Web series; also creator, writer, executive producer, and director |
Up for Adoption | Michelle | go90 streaming series; also creator, writer, and executive producer | |
2017–2018 | Quinta vs. Everything | Quinta | Web series; also creator, writer, and executive producer |
2018 | New Girl | Annabelle | Episode: "Mario" |
2018–2020 | Single Parents | Bess | 3 episodes |
2019 | iZombie | Dr. Charlie Collier, Laila | 3 episodes |
2019; 2022 | A Black Lady Sketch Show | Various characters | Main cast (Season 1); guest (Season 3) |
2019–2025 | Big Mouth | Quinta, Girl (voice) | 5 episodes |
Lazor Wulf | Blazor Wulf, The Youth, Bayonette Wulf, Farm Worker, Pearl (voice) | Main cast (19 episodes); also wrote 2 episodes | |
2020 | Magical Girl Friendship Squad | Alex (voice) | Main cast (6 episodes) |
2021 | Crank Yankers | Barbara (voice) | Episode: "Brian Posehn, Kevin Nealon, Quinta Brunson" |
2021–2023 | Miracle Workers | Trig (S3) / Administrator (S4) | Recurring role (7 episodes) |
2021–present | Abbott Elementary | Janine Teagues | Main cast; also creator, writer, and executive producer |
2022 | Cars on the Road | Ivy (voice) | 3 episodes |
2023 | Harley Quinn | Hawkgirl (voice) | Episode: "A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special" |
Party Down | Jaff | Episode: "Kyle Bradway Is Nitromancer" | |
History of the World, Part II | Martha Magdalene | Episode: "IV" | |
2023–2025 | Saturday Night Live | Herself (host) | 2 episodes |
2024 | Sesame Street | Herself | Episode: "Are You Ready for School?" |
2025 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Herself (guest judge) | Episode: "Snatch Game" |
The Studio | Herself | Episode: "The Golden Globes" | |
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Janine Teagues | Episode: "The Gang F****s Up Abbott Elementary" |
Music Videos
Year | Title | Artist | Role | Notes |
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2018 | "Come Over" | The Internet | Neighbor | Plays the role of the nosy neighbor |
2020 | "Dragonball Durag" | Thundercat | Girl | Plays the role of the first love interest |
2024 | "Little Foot Big Foot" | Childish Gambino feat. Young Nudy | Venue owner |
Awards and Nominations
Organizations | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
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AAFCA TV Honors |
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Best TV Comedy | Abbott Elementary | Won | |
Breakout Star | Won | ||||
Black Reel Awards | 2022 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Won | ||
Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series | Won | ||||
Outstanding Writing, Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Pilot") | Won | |||
Outstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series | A Black Lady Sketch Show | Won | |||
Celebration of Black Cinema & Television | 2022 | Actress Award for Television | Abbott Elementary | Won | |
Critics Choice Television Awards | 2023 | Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
Best Comedy Series | Won | ||||
2024 | Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
Best Comedy Series | Nominated | ||||
Dorian Awards | 2022 | Best TV Comedy | Won | ||
Best TV Performance | Won | ||||
Wilde Wit Award | N/A | Nominated | |||
Golden Globe Awards | 2022 | Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Abbott Elementary (season one) | Won | |
2023 | Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Abbott Elementary (season two) | Nominated | ||
2024 | Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Abbott Elementary (season three) | Nominated | ||
Gotham Awards | 2022 | Breakthrough Series – Short Format | Abbott Elementary | Nominated | |
Humanitas Prize | 2022 | Comedy Teleplay | Nominated | ||
HCA TV Awards | 2022 | TV Breakout Star | Won | ||
Best Broadcast Network Series, Comedy | Won | ||||
Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Won | ||||
Best Writing in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Pilot") | Won | |||
Independent Spirit Awards | 2022 | Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series | Won | ||
Best New Scripted Series | Abbott Elementary | Nominated | |||
NAACP Image Awards | 2022 | Outstanding Comedy Series | Won | ||
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Won | ||||
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television) | Won | ||||
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Development Day") | Nominated | |||
Entertainer of the Year | N/A | Nominated | |||
Primetime Emmy Awards | 2022 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as executive producer) | Abbott Elementary (season one) | Nominated | |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Pilot") | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Pilot") | Won | |||
2023 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as executive producer) | Abbott Elementary (season two) | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Teacher Conference) | Won | |||
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | Saturday Night Live (for "Quinta Brunson/Lil Yachty") | Nominated | |||
2024 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as executive producer) | Abbott Elementary (season three) | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Party") | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Career Day") | Nominated | |||
2025 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as executive producer) | Abbott Elementary (season four) | Pending | ||
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary | Pending | |||
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary (for "Back to School") | Pending | |||
Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2022 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary season one | Won | |
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||||
2023 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary season two | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||||
2024 | Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Abbott Elementary season three | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||||
TCA Awards | 2022 | Program of the Year | Abbott Elementary | Won | |
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Won | ||||
Outstanding New Program | Won | ||||
Individual Achievement in Comedy | Won | ||||
2023 | Program of the Year | Nominated | |||
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Nominated | ||||
Individual Achievement in Comedy | Nominated | ||||
2024 | Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Nominated | |||
Individual Achievement in Comedy | Nominated | ||||
Writers Guild of America Awards | 2023 | Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
New Series | Nominated | ||||
2024 | Comedy Series | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Quinta Brunson para niños