Emily Lynne Berthold is an American writer, actress, voice artist, and comedian who builds her career across digital sketches, audio comedy, and collaborative television projects. While public recognition often connects her to her older sister, former Saturday Night Live star Kate McKinnon, Berthold maintains a distinct creative footprint. Her work spans web series, political satire, narrative audio formats, and self-produced digital content.
Understanding her trajectory requires looking past simple family associations. Berthold shapes modern comedy through multi-platform writing and performance, moving fluidly between voiceover acting, character sketches, and long-form audio storytelling.
Early Foundations and Creative Education
Born in Sea Cliff, New York, Berthold grew up in an environment that encouraged humor and artistic exploration. She attended the State University of New York at Purchase, where she studied film. This formal training gave her an understanding of visual composition, narrative pacing, and production mechanics that informed her later writing and acting roles.
Rather than chasing traditional mainstream visibility through constant touring or standard network casting routes, Berthold focused on projects where she could exercise direct creative control. Her education in film provided the structural backbone for self-produced web shorts and character-driven writing collaborations.
Collaborative Breakthroughs in Digital Comedy
Berthold entered the public sphere with collaborative digital media projects. In 2015, she co-created and starred in the web series Notary Publix alongside Kate McKinnon. The project highlighted their shared comedic timing and writing chemistry, setting a template for future independent work.
Her creative portfolio expanded into television and streaming sketch programs over the following decade:
- Above Average Presents (2015): Contributed writing and performance to digital sketch comedy.
- Friends from College (2017): Appeared in supporting television guest roles.
- Our Cartoon President (2019–2020): Provided versatile voice acting for satirical animated figures.
- The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (2020): Delivered character work in Netflix's sketch ecosystem.
Through these appearances, Berthold carved out a niche as a reliable character performer capable of shifting between live-action sketch and sharp voiceover execution.
Audio Storytelling and Narrative Voicework
Voice acting and narrative audio represent core pillars of Berthold's professional output. Audio platforms give performers freedom from physical casting tropes, allowing for rapid character shifts and expansive world-building.
She co-created and starred in the Audible original comedy series Heads Will Roll, playing JoJo, a loyal raven minion opposite McKinnon's villainous queen. The production relied heavily on voice modulation, rapid-fire dialogue, and dense comedic scripting. Berthold extended this audio partnership by co-narrating the audiobook Secrets of the Purple Pearl. These projects demonstrate her capacity to sustain narrative momentum across audio-only formats without relying on visual cues.
Transitioning Away from Stand-Up to Digital Independence
In 2023, Berthold spoke publicly about stepping away from live stand-up comedy, noting that she found greater creative fulfillment outside traditional club performance. Many contemporary comedians face similar pressures within live touring circuits, prompting a shift toward self-directed digital publishing.
By prioritizing online sketches, short-form video, and collaborative writing, Berthold retained control over her schedule and creative output. This pivot aligns with broader shifts in digital media, where independent creators bypass traditional gatekeepers to distribute character comedy directly to audiences via platforms like Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Emily Lynne Berthold's primary professional roles?
She works as an actress, writer, comedian, and voiceover artist. Her career encompasses web series, animated satire, audiobooks, and independent sketch comedy.
How is Emily Lynne Berthold related to Kate McKinnon?
She is the younger sister of former Saturday Night Live cast member Kate McKinnon. The sisters frequently collaborate on writing, audio projects, and digital comedy shorts.
What is Heads Will Roll?
Heads Will Roll is an Audible original comedy series co-created by Berthold and McKinnon. Berthold voices the character JoJo in the scripted audio production.
Why did Emily Lynne Berthold stop performing stand-up?
She transitioned away from live stand-up comedy to focus on writing, voice acting, and digital sketch production, noting that self-directed formats offered a more comfortable creative environment.
