Busy Philipps
Actress, Activist
Busy Philipps is a New York Times Best-Selling author, actor, activist, writer and previous late-night talk show host of BUSY TONIGHT. Philipps served as executive producer on the show, alongside Tina Fey.
Philipps can currently be seen in Season 2 of the critically acclaimed Peacock comedy series GIRLS5EVA opposite Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Produced by Tina Fey, Girls5eva centers on a one-hit wonder girl group from the '90swho try for another chance at pop stardom. ROLLING STONE said “the role of Summer...fits Philipps like it was tailored to her, exaggerating the persona she’s perfected on past series like COUGAR TOWN without ever fully selling her out as too dumb to function” and THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER touted that “Philipps seems born to play the role..." In 2020, Philipps launched her podcast BUSY PHILIPPS IS DOING HER BEST, with her creative partner Caissie St. Onge. The show features conversations between the duo and their guests, who reflect on times in their lives when a setback led to better opportunities.
In 2018, Philipps released a collection of humorous autobiographical essays in her book THIS WILL ONLY HURT A LITTLE that was immediately a New York Times Best Seller the first week. The book offers unfiltered and candid stories and was published by Simon and Schuster’s Touchstone division.
Philipps continues to use her voice as an advocate and activist. In 2019, she joined the Advisory Board of SeeHer, testified before Congress on reproductive rights after publicly discussing her own abortion and launched the #youknowme campaign on social media.
On the big screen, Philipps was seen in the STX romantic comedy, I FEEL PRETTY, opposite Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams, and directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein. She also appeared in Joel Edgerton’s thriller THE GIFT, alongside Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall. Additional film credits include: Kat Coiro’s, A CASE OF YOU opposite Justin Long, Peter Dinklage and Sam Rockwell; Douglas McGrath’s, I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT alongside Sarah Jessica Parker; Ken Kwapis’s HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU; Paul Weiland’s MADE OF HONOR with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan; Shawn and Marlon Wayans’ comedy, WHITE CHICKS; Paul F. Ryan’s HOME ROOM; and Tim Hunter’s ANATOMY OF A HATE CRIME.
On television, Philipps was seen in HBO’s VICE PRINCIPALS, an 18-episode comedy series from EASTBOUND & DOWN creators Danny McBride and Jody Hill. The series ran for 2 seasons and starred Danny McBride and Walton Goggins. Philipps played ‘Gale Liptrapp’, the ex-wife of McBride’s character and loving mother to his child. Philipps also starred opposite Courteney Cox on the popular TBS comedy COUGAR TOWN where she played ‘Laurie Keller’ for six seasons. Philipps first garnered attention at the age of 19 in Judd Apatow and Paul Feig’s critically praised series, FREAKS AND GEEKS. Her performance as the tough, but sympathetic rebel teen, ‘Kim Kelly’ crafted Philipps as one of the most compelling young characters in contemporary television.
Additional television credits including a 5-episode arc on TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES; a major recurring role as ‘Hope Bobeck’, on season 14 of ER; a starring role in the UPN sitcom LOVE, INC.; and a series regular in Kevin Williamson’s award-winning coming-of-age series DAWSON’S CREEK where she starred alongside a notable cast including, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams.
