Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1960-11-29
Jackie Hoffman
Jacqueline Laura Hoffman (born November 29, 1960) is a celebrated American actress, comedian, and singer, recognized for her sharp, character-driven humor and versatility across stage and screen. Born in Queens, New York, and raised in the Bayside neighborhood, she grew up in an observant Jewish household and attended yeshiva as a child. Hoffman’s professional career began in the late 1980s and gained significant momentum in the 1990s through her work with Chicago’s The Second City comedy troupe, where her eight-year tenure earned her a Joseph Jefferson Award. She is particularly well-known for her critically acclaimed one-woman cabaret shows at Joe’s Pub, such as The Kvetching Continues and Jackie Five-Oh!, which often feature original Jewish-themed songs and monologues. On Broadway, Hoffman has originated several memorable roles, including Prudy Pingleton in Hairspray (for which she won a Theatre World Award in 2003), Calliope and Aphrodite in Xanadu, Grandmama in The Addams Family, and Mrs. Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Her extensive television and film career includes a Primetime Emmy-nominated performance as the housekeeper Mamacita in Feud: Bette and Joan, as well as recurring roles in Only Murders in the Building, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She has also appeared in indie hits like Garden State and Shiva Baby. Hoffman is married to jazz trumpeter Steve Smyth and continues to be a staple of the New York theater scene, recently starring in the Off-Broadway comedy My First Ex-Husband.
