Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon Berthold is an American comedian, actress, and author best known for her decade-long tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Born in Sea Cliff, New York, she joined the iconic sketch show in 2012 as its first openly lesbian cast member. Her sharp impersonations of political figures like Hillary Clinton and Kellyanne Conway earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 and 2017. She departed the series in 2022 to pursue a broader range of film and voice acting projects.

McKinnon has successfully transitioned from television sketch comedy to major motion pictures and literary work. She voiced characters in animated hits like The Boss Baby and Nature Cat, while also taking on dramatic roles in films such as Bombshell and Barbie. In 2026, she continues to balance her acting career with writing middle-grade books under the pseudonym Millicent Quibb. She currently resides in a rural homestead in upstate New York, having moved away from New York City after leaving SNL. [edit]

Kate McKinnon Berthold grew up in Sea Cliff, Long Island, where she developed an early fascination with performance. Her father worked as a lawyer and her mother was a nurse, creating a stable household that encouraged her creative pursuits. As a child, she would entertain family gatherings by performing impressions of celebrities like Madonna and Cher. This natural talent led her to North Shore High School, where she continued to hone her comedic skills before heading to college.

She attended Columbia University, graduating in 2006 with a degree in English literature. During her time at Columbia, McKinnon immersed herself in the improv scene, joining student groups named The Muppets and The Muppet Show. These experiences were crucial in shaping her improvisational style. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles briefly before settling in New York City to pursue comedy full-time. She spent several years performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and with the sketch group The Groundlings, building a reputation in the local improv community before her national breakthrough. [edit]

Her professional career launched with appearances on the Logo series The Big Gay Sketch Show from 2007 to 2010. This role showcased her versatility and paved the way for her audition for NBC's Saturday Night Live. She joined the show in September 2012 as a featured player and quickly became a standout cast member. Over her ten-year run, she created memorable characters including Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton, and Kellyanne Conway. Her work on the show garnered ten Primetime Emmy nominations, resulting in wins in 2016 and 2017.

Following her departure from SNL in 2022, McKinnon expanded her filmography significantly. She starred in major studio comedies like Sisters, Ghostbusters, The Bubble, and Barbie. In 2023, she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Carole Baskin in the Peacock miniseries Joe vs. Carole. Her voice acting credits include roles in The Magic School Bus Rides Again and The Croods: A New Age. As of early 2026, she remains active with roles in In the Blink of an Eye and an upcoming fantasy series titled Heads Will Roll. [edit]

McKinnon is widely recognized for her witty, intelligent, and versatile persona. Her content is characterized by sharp satire and a unique ability to transform into any character, whether a politician or a fictional monster. She is known for her supportive nature towards fans and her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. Her fashion sense often features bold, colorful outfits that complement her comedic style. Media outlets frequently describe her as a trailblazer for representation in mainstream comedy. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for Kate McKinnon. While she is a well-known figure in comedy and entertainment, no official ranking exists in the current iFANN Global Fame Rankings database. Her fanbase is highly organized and enthusiastic, though there is no single documented name for the group. Fans often refer to themselves simply as supporters of her work or SNL enthusiasts. Notable fan activities include creating memes celebrating her impressions and organizing campaigns to promote her projects. The community frequently highlights her impact on LGBTQ+ representation in media. [edit]

McKinnon writes children's books under the pen name Millicent Quibb, demonstrating her literary talents beyond acting. She is a self-proclaimed prepper who purchased land in upstate New York to prepare for potential apocalyptic scenarios. Her impression of Justin Bieber became a viral sensation due to its uncanny accuracy regarding his hair and mannerisms. She once played a character on The Big Gay Sketch Show that parodied a famous celebrity, a skill she later perfected on SNL. Fans often cite her ability to disappear into any role as her most defining trait. [edit]

Kate McKinnon was born to Patricia and Robert Berthold. Her father was a lawyer and her mother a nurse. She has a sister named Emily Lynne, whom she officiated at their wedding in June 2026. Despite her public profile, McKinnon keeps her personal life relatively private, focusing on her work and interests. She lives with her long-term partner Sarah Schneider in a rural home in upstate New York. The couple maintains a close-knit dynamic and rarely share details about their relationship with the media. [edit]

Sarah Schneider, Amy Poehler, Megan Mullally, Daveed Diggs, John Cena. [edit]

Kate McKinnon is openly gay and has been in a long-term relationship with writer and producer Sarah Schneider since approximately 2016. The couple met through mutual friends within the comedy community and have maintained a relatively private life despite McKinnon's public profile. They have occasionally been spotted together at public events but generally avoid tabloid attention. As of 2026, there are no reports of marriage or children, though they remain a stable couple. There are no credible reports of other public relationships prior to her partnership with Schneider.

In June 2026, McKinnon officiated her sister Emily Lynne's wedding, stating she was ready to officiate more weddings. This event highlighted the close-knit nature of her family dynamics. Despite her fame, she keeps her romantic life largely out of the spotlight, focusing instead on her work and personal interests. The relationship with Schneider remains her only documented long-term partnership. [edit]

iFANN Editorial Team research places Kate McKinnon's net worth at approximately $15 million as of 2026. This estimate reflects her steady income from acting, voice work, writing, and real estate investments. Her salary on Saturday Night Live reportedly reached $200,000 per episode during her final seasons, contributing significantly to her wealth accumulation. Post-SNL, her film salaries for movies like Barbie and The Bubble likely ranged from $500,000 to $1 million per project.

Additional revenue streams include consistent voice acting work in animated series like Nature Cat and earnings from her middle-grade books published under the pseudonym Millicent Quibb. She owns a home in upstate New York, which she purchased as part of her homesteading lifestyle. While endorsement deals are limited, she focuses on brands aligned with her values. The financial trajectory shows steady growth driven by her diverse portfolio of high-profile projects. [edit]

Kate McKinnon has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 and 2017 for her work on Saturday Night Live. She also won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2017 and the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2016. Her performance in Ghostbusters earned her an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance in 2017. [edit]