Ellie Kemper is an American actress and comedian best known for playing the cheerful receptionist Erin Hannon in the acclaimed sitcom The Office and for starring as the title character in the Netflix comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination. With her bright, optimistic screen presence and her gift for physical comedy, she has become one of the most beloved comedy stars of her generation.
| Full Name | Elizabeth Claire Kemper |
| Date of Birth | May 2, 1980 |
| Age | 46 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Profession | Actress, comedian, writer |
| Known For | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Office, Bridesmaids |
| Husband | Michael Koman (married 2012) |
| Children | Two sons, James and Matthew |
| Net Worth | Approx. $4 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Ellie Kemper?
Ellie Kemper is an actress and comedian whose sunny, optimistic characters have made her a favourite with audiences. As Erin Hannon in The Office, she played a receptionist who is cheerful, naive and deeply kind, a character who brought warmth to the show’s later seasons. As Kimmy Schmidt in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, she played a woman who escapes from a cult after fifteen years underground and tries to build a new life in New York, a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2016.
Kemper is also known for her role in the film Bridesmaids in 2011, in which she played the newlywed Becca, and for her work as a writer, including for the satirical newspaper The Onion and for the magazine McSweeney’s. She is the author of the book My Squirrel Days, a collection of essays published in 2018.
Early Life & Background
Elizabeth Claire Kemper was born on May 2, 1980, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Dorothy Ann Jannarone and David Woods Kemper, the chairman and chief executive of Commerce Bank. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where she attended John Burroughs School, the same school Jon Hamm attended, and where she began acting in school plays and in improv comedy.
After high school, Kemper studied at Princeton University in New Jersey, where she was a member of the improv comedy troupe Quipfire! and played field hockey, and then studied at the University of Oxford in England, where she earned a master’s degree in English. After graduating, she moved to New York, where she performed with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and began auditioning for television and film roles.
She married comedy writer Michael Koman in 2012, and they have two sons, James, born in 2016, and Matthew, born in 2019. She lives in New York and in Los Angeles, and she has spoken about her family, her Catholic faith and her love of comedy.
Career
Kemper’s early career included appearances in the films Bridesmaids and 21 Jump Street, and on television in The Office, where she joined the cast in 2009 as Erin Hannon, the new receptionist, and remained for the show’s final five seasons. Her performance was praised for its warmth and its humour, and she became a fan favourite.
After The Office ended in 2013, Kemper starred in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which ran from 2015 to 2019 on Netflix and was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. As Kimmy, she played a woman who is relentlessly optimistic despite a traumatic past, a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016. The show also featured Jon Hamm in a memorable guest role as the cult leader Richard Wayne Gary Wayne.
She has also appeared in the films Home Sweet Home Alone in 2021 and Happiness for Beginners in 2023, and she continues to work in television and in voice acting. Like fellow Office stars Rainn Wilson and Jenna Fischer, Kemper is known for a defining role in The Office, and for the warmth and humour she brings to every performance.
Facts About Ellie Kemper
- Ellie Kemper was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for her role as Kimmy Schmidt in 2016.
- She played Erin Hannon in The Office for five seasons, from 2009 to 2013.
- She studied at Princeton University and at the University of Oxford, where she earned a master’s degree in English.
- She has been married to Michael Koman since 2012, and they have two sons, James and Matthew.
- She wrote the book My Squirrel Days, a collection of essays published in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ellie Kemper?
Ellie Kemper was born on May 2, 1980, which makes her 46 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Ellie Kemper?
Ellie Kemper is 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.65 metres).
Who is Ellie Kemper married to?
Ellie Kemper has been married to comedy writer Michael Koman since 2012. They have two sons, James and Matthew.
What is Ellie Kemper’s net worth?
Ellie Kemper’s net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Ellie Kemper best known for?
Ellie Kemper is best known for playing Kimmy Schmidt in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Erin Hannon in The Office.