
Lena Waithe
Biography
Lena Waithe (/weɪθ/; born May 17, 1984) is an American actress, producer, and screenwriter. She is the creator of the Showtime drama series The Chi (2018–present) and the BET comedy series Boomerang (2019–20) and Twenties (2020–21). She also wrote and produced the crime film Queen & Slim (2019) and is the executive producer of the horror anthology series Them (2021–present).
Waithe gained recognition for her role in the Netflix comedy-drama series Master of None (2015–2021) and became the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2017 for writing the show's "Thanksgiving" episode, which was loosely based on her personal experience of coming out to her mother. She has also appeared in Steven Spielberg's 2018 adventure film Ready Player One and the HBO series Westworld. In 2023, she was nominated for Best Play at the 76th Tony Awards, her production work on the sketch-comedy play Ain't No Mo'.
Waithe was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2018 and was included on Fast Company's Queer 50 list in 2021 and 2022.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Lena Waithe, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For

TV
Grey's Anatomy
Evynn Moore
2005

TV
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009

TV
The Daily Show
Self
1996

TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest
2003

TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest Host
2003

TV
This Is Us
Animal Shelter Clerk
2016

TV
Westworld
Ash
2016

TV
RuPaul's Drag Race
Self - Guest Judge
2009

TV
Sherri
Self - Guest
2022

TV
Big Mouth
Lena (voice)
2017

TV
Big Mouth
2017

TV
The Oscars
Self
1953

TV
The Chi
Camille Hallaway
2018

TV
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
Self
2015

TV
Transparent
Jane
2014

TV
The Comeback
Summer
2005

TV
Master of None
Denise Watkins
2015

Film
Ready Player One
Aech / Helen
2018

TV
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Self - Contestant
2020

TV
The Shop
Self
2018
Filmography
2025TVSeen & Heard: The History of Black Televisionas Self2025FilmReclaim the Flagas Self2025FilmIt's Dorothy!as Self2023FilmBeing Mary Tyler Mooreas Self (voice)2023FilmHouse Partyas Self2022TVSherrias Self - Guest2022FilmStand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration2022TVThe Proud Family: Louder and Prouderas College Maya (voice)2021Film2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonyas Self2021TVTwenties After-Show With B. Scottas Self - Guest2021FilmThe One and Only Dick Gregoryas Self2021FilmBad Hairas Brook-Lynne2021TVAmend: The Fight for Americaas Self2020FilmGraduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020as Self2020TV#blackAFas Lena Waithe2020TVWho Wants to Be a Millionaireas Self - Contestant2020TVYou Ain't Got These2020FilmOnwardas Officer Spector (voice)2020TVVisible: Out on Televisionas Self - Narrator (voice)2019TVBreakfast, Lunch & Dinneras Self2019TVA Black Lady Sketch Showas Office Employee2018TVThe Shopas Self2018FilmReady Player Oneas Aech / Helen2018TVThe Chias Camille Hallaway2017TVBig Mouthas Lena (voice)2017TVDear White Peopleas P. Ninny2016TVWestworldas Ash2016TVThis Is Usas Animal Shelter Clerk2015TVMaster of Noneas Denise Watkins2015TVClose Up with The Hollywood Reporteras Self2014TVTransparentas Jane2009TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenas Self - Guest2009TVRuPaul's Drag Raceas Self - Guest Judge2005TVThe Comebackas Summer2005TVGrey's Anatomyas Evynn Moore2003TVJimmy Kimmel Live!as Self - Guest1996TVThe Daily Showas Self1959TVThe Grammysas Self1953TVThe Oscarsas Self—FilmPlace To Beas Shy—FilmUntitled Friendship Breakup Film