Michaela Suzanne Watkins (born December 14, 1971) is an American comedic actress best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2008–2009 and for her recurring role as Lucy in the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Early life

Watkins was born in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Myrna and Mark Watkins. She is of Jewish heritage.She went to Jamesville-Dewitt -Moses-Dewitt Elementary School and Wellesley High School in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Michaela is a graduate of Boston University, where she studied theater and acting. Watkins lived in Portland, Oregon from 1996–2000. She built a theatrical career there, appearing onstage with Portland Center Stage and the defunct improv group Toad City Productions. Subsequently she became active in Los Angeles Theatre for many years, taking on roles with Circle X Theatre and 2100 Square Feet.

Saturday Night Live

In November 2008, Watkins joined the cast of Saturday Night Live along with Abby Elliott. Watkins made her first major appearance on the show as Arianna Huffington on the November 22nd Weekend Update.[6] Watkins remained on SNL as a featured player throughout the rest of the 2008-2009 season, up to the season finale on May 16, 2009.

However while SNL was on summer hiatus, the news broke in early September 2009, that Watkins, along with fellow castmate Casey Wilson, were both to be let go from the show and would not be returning for the 2009-2010 season. In a statement, Watkins said:

I will say to you now, though, that I had a GREAT time there. Met some of the most truly talented and fantastic people, had the most exciting job and I honestly can say I don't have any regrets I can think of right now. Although it seems kinda crazy right now, this may shake out to make sense to everyone. Lorne isn't known for indulging in any lip-service and I feel very encouraged by his words last week. I'm working on something I'm very excited about now, so... the journey continues, and I feel so lucky I got to stop off at 30 Rock. It was awesome.

Impressions on SNL

Ann Coulter (on a Weekend Update segment cut after dress rehearsal on the season 34 episode hosted by Rosario Dawson, but now appears as a Web exclusive video on NBC.com)
Arianna Huffington
Barbara Walters
Elphaba (from Wicked on Broadway)
Glenn Close (as Alex Forrest from Fatal Attraction)
Hoda Kotb
Janice (from The Muppets, replacing Maya Rudolph)
Joan Rivers
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Watkins' resemblance to Louis-Dreyfus was also a running gag on The New Adventures of Old Christine)
Marcie (from Peanuts)

Recurring characters on SNL

Angie Tempura: A geeky, iced coffee-drinking computer nerd who snarks on celebrities and movies and is the creator of the snarky website "Bitch Pleeze" (Saturday Night Live - NBC.com, which redirects to the SNL site). Though she insults celebrities, Angie was revealed to have a crush on Zac Efron.

Post-SNL

After her exit from SNL in September 2009, Watkins has returned to Los Angeles and continues to perform at The Groundlings.

Watkins had a supporting role in the romantic comedy The Back-Up Plan starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. Watkins played the part of Mona, the longtime best friend of Jennifer Lopez. In December 2009, she returned for two episodes of The New Adventures of Old Christine, playing her recurring role of Lucy.

In 2011, Watkins appeared with recurring roles in the comedy programs Enlightened and New Girl. As well as making guest appearances on shows such as Hung, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Modern Family, she most recently appeared in the 2012 comedy Wanderlust starring Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston.

In 2013, she will co-star with Malin Åkerman, Bradley Whitford, and Marcia Gay Harden in the the upcoming ABC family comedy Trophy Wife. The series will premiere on September 24, 2013.
Personal life

Watkins is married to Fred Kramer, who is the executive director of the Jewish World Watch organization. They married in July 2013.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1998 Inconceivable Marcy
2008 Yoga Matt Jill Goering Short film
2010 The Back-Up Plan Mona
The Prankster Miss LaFleur
Welcome to the Jungle Gym Principal Gilly Short film
Worst Enemy Wooly Short film
2011 Una Hora Por Favora Elissa Short film
2012 Wanderlust Marisa Gergenblatt
2013 Afternoon Delight Jennie
iSteve Melinda Gates
In a World... Dani
Enough Said Hillary
2014 They Came Together Habermeyer

Television

Year Show Role First Episode Notes
2001 Charmed Andrea "Death Takes A Halliwell" 1 episode
2003 Miss Match Susan Scott "Divorce Happens" 1 episode
Without A Trace Marla "Maple Street" 1 episode
2004 Strong Medicine Julia "Bleeding Heart" 1 episode
2006 Medium Clerk "Sweet Child O' Mine" 2 episodes
Modern Men Amanda "Pilot" 1 episode
Grey's Anatomy Nikki Ratlin "Superstition" 1 episode
Malcolm In The Middle Receptionist "Hal's Dentist" 1 episode
7 Deadly Hollywood Sins Jennifer "Gluttony" 4 episodes
2007 Revenge Mary-Louise "Pilot" TV Pilot
2008 Man Stroke Woman (US Version) Various "Pilot" TV Pilot
Frank TV Julia Roberts "Episode 2.1" 1 episode
Californication Executive "Coke Dick & First Kick" 2 episodes
2008–2009 Saturday Night Live Cast Member "Episode 34.8" 15 episodes
The New Adventures of Old Christine Lucy "How I Hate Your Mother" 7 episodes
2009 Eli Stone Judge Leigh Rappaport "Sonoma" 1 episode
2010 Parenthood Lucy Estman "Team Braverman" 1 episode
Miami Medical Carla "Time of Death" 1 episode
2011 Curb Your Enthusiasm Saundra "The Safe House" 1 episode
Hung Judy "Don't Give Up on Detroit or Hung Like a Horse" 1 episode
Private Practice Laura Martin "Deal with It" 1 episode
New Girl Gina "Bad In Bed" 3 episodes
2011–2013 Enlightened Janice Holm "Now or Never" 9 episodes
2012 The Life & Times of Tim Homeless Woman "Pudding Boy/The Celebrity Who Shall Remain Nameless" 1 episode
Childrens Hospital Detective Lacey Briggs "The Return of the Young Billionaire" 1 episode
Key & Peele Mary Magdalene "Episode 2.1" 1 episode
Modern Family Susan "Schooled" 1 episode
2013 Kroll Show Bella's Mom "Please God" 1 episode
Trophy Wife Jackie Upcoming ABC series Series regular