Tina Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and playwright who was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania in 1970. She is best known for her work on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1997 to 2006 and for creating the acclaimed comedy series 30 Rock. Given her Pennsylvania roots and career based in New York City, some may wonder if Tina Fey ever lived in or had connections to Chicago.
Tina Fey’s Background
Tina Fey was born Elizabeth Stamatina Fey on May 18, 1970 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, a township just west of Philadelphia. She grew up in nearby Nether Providence Township and attended Upper Darby High School, where she was involved inchoir, drama club, and co-edited the school newspaper. After graduating in 1988, Fey attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA where she studied drama and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.
After college, Fey moved to Chicago where she began her career in comedy and improv. Chicago has a vibrant comedy and improv scene, home to the famous Second City troupe and ImprovOlympic theater that launched the careers of comedians like John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chris Farley, and many others. It was this comedy scene and community that drew Fey to Chicago after college.
Fey’s Time in Chicago
Tina Fey lived in Chicago from 1992 to 1997. After moving to Chicago in 1992, she began taking night classes in improv at the ImprovOlympic Theater. She also got involved with the Annoyance Theater, another improv and comedy theater in Chicago. While working days as the childcare registrar at a YMCA in Evanston, IL, Fey took improv classes and performed at night with local troupes.
In 1994, Fey joined the Second City improv troupe, considered one of the most prestigious comedy groups in the country. She toured with their touring company and eventually advanced to their prestigious mainstage cast at their theater in Chicago. Fey performed with Second City from 1994 to 1997, appearing in productions like Paradigm Lost and The Gods Must Be Lazy.
It was while performing with Second City in 1997 that Fey was discovered by Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, who recruited her to join the SNL writing staff. That summer, she moved to New York City to start her new role with SNL, ending her 5+ year stint living and performing in Chicago.
Fey’s Chicago Influences and Connections
Even though Tina Fey moved to New York in 1997, her time in Chicago had a major influence on her comedy career. The improv training and experience she gained at ImprovOlympic, Annoyance Theater, and especially Second City shaped her improvisational skills and comedic sensibilities.
Many of Chicago’s legendary improv and comedy theaters and schools are known for promoting collaborative ensemble work and innovative improv formats like the Harold – styles which carry through in Fey’s later TV work. Her Second City improv background prepared her well for joining SNL’s large ensemble cast.
Fey also made many connections during her Chicago years that she maintains to this day. She frequently collaborates with other former Chicago/Second City performers like Amy Poehler who she first met while she was performing with the Second City troupe. Fey and Poehler went on to anchor Weekend Update together on SNL for several seasons.
In addition to Poehler, Fey has worked and crossed paths with many other Chicago improv and comedy alums over the years including:
- Rachel Dratch – fellow SNL cast member
- Horatio Sanz – fellow SNL cast member
- Chris Farley – starred with Fey in Second City’s Paradigm Lost
- Tim Meadows – worked at Second City and later on SNL
- Adam McKay – SNL head writer, co-founder of Upright Citizens Brigade
- Matt Besser – co-founder of Upright Citizens Brigade
So while Fey only lived in Chicago for 5 years in the early 1990s, her comedy training and connections from that time period continued to shape her career for years to come. Chicago was crucial to establishing her voice and building relationships that she still leverages to this day.
Did Fey Ever Return to Chicago After SNL?
Once Tina Fey moved to New York in 1997, she never again lived in Chicago full-time. However, she has made numerous return visits to Chicago over the years both for work and to visit friends.
Starting in the late 90s once she was working at SNL, Fey would occasionally return to Chicago to scout and recruit talent for the show. As one of the head writers for SNL, she looked for up-and-coming improv/comedy stars from her old stomping grounds like Second City. Actors and comedians like Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, and Amy Poehler were recruited to join SNL in the late 90s/early 2000s following Fey spotting them while performing in Chicago.
In the 2000s and beyond as her career took off, Fey has come back periodically to Chicago for events, award ceremonies, and appearances related to her TV/film projects. Some examples:
- December 2015 – Fey did a Q&A event in Chicago following a screening of Sisters, a comedy film she starred in and produced.
- June 2013 – Received the Chicago History Museum’s Making History Award for Distinction in Creative Industries.
- September 2009 – Returned to Second City to receive a star on their wall of fame outside the theater.
She also has returned to Chicago over the years to visit friends from her improv days or attend social events. However, unlike some SNL alumni like Bill Murray who maintained a residence in Chicago, Fey moved to New York full-time once she joined SNL’s cast. Beyond short trips back, she did not continue living in Chicago after 1997.
Conclusion
In summary, while Tina Fey was born in Pennsylvania and is based in New York City, Chicago did play a key role in establishing her career. She lived there from 1992 to 1997 where she trained and performed at famed comedy theaters like Second City and ImprovOlympic.
Her Chicago experience shaped her improv comedy skills and led to her discovery by SNL. Although she moved to NYC in 1997, she maintains close ties to many Chicago friends and performers. So while not originally from there or currently living there, Chicago was pivotal to launching the early comedy career of the legendary Tina Fey.