When fans look into the personal life of comedian and Big Mouth creator Nick Kroll, they often find themselves wondering about his partner. Nick Kroll married artist and landscape designer Lily Kwong in November 2020. While her husband spends his days in writers' rooms and comedy clubs, Lily Kwong builds living, breathing installations that merge art, environmentalism, and urban planning.
Far from being just a footnote in a celebrity biography, Kwong has built a distinct multi-disciplinary career that predates her marriage. From high-fashion runways to massive public green spaces, her trajectory offers a fascinating look at creative entrepreneurship outside the Hollywood bubble.
Early Life and Academic Roots
Born on May 29, 1988, in San Francisco, California, Lily Scout Kwong grew up with a deep appreciation for both structural design and handcrafts. Her upbringing in the Bay Area nurtured an early interest in the natural world. She attended the Urban School of San Francisco before moving across the country to pursue higher education.
She studied at Bard College before transferring to Columbia University, where she graduated in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies. This academic background proved foundational, giving her a technical understanding of how human cities interact with natural ecosystems. She later sharpened her practical horticultural skills through specialized studies with botanical experts in South Florida and the New York Botanical Garden.
From Fashion Runways to Studio Lily Kwong
Before establishing herself as a prominent landscape architect, Kwong worked extensively in the fashion industry. Standing nearly 5 feet 10 inches tall, she began modeling in 2007. She spent two years working closely with her cousin, designer Joseph Altuzarra, serving as both a studio assistant and a fit model.
This immersion in high fashion gave her a unique aesthetic lens, but her true passion remained rooted in the earth. She transitioned away from full-time modeling to focus on environmental design, eventually founding Studio Lily Kwong, a Los Angeles-based landscape architecture firm.
Her design philosophy centers on ecological awareness and cultural storytelling. Through her studio, she has collaborated with major global brands including Nike, LVMH, St-Germain, and H&M. Her projects often bridge the gap between corporate spaces and living botany, earning her widespread critical acclaim. In 2018, her innovative work landed her on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the art and style category.
Relationship and Family Life
Nick Kroll and Lily Kwong crossed paths in 2018, connecting through the exclusive dating app Raya. Their shared creative sensibilities sparked a fast connection, leading to a quiet wedding ceremony in November 2020.
The couple has since expanded their family, welcoming their first child, a son named Leo, in January 2021. They welcomed a second child, a daughter, in late 2023. While both maintain active profiles in their respective industries, they keep details about their children relatively private, balancing public careers with a grounded family life in Los Angeles.
Kroll has frequently spoken about fatherhood with genuine warmth, describing the transition as a profoundly rewarding chapter. Meanwhile, Kwong continues to document her ongoing landscape projects, gardening endeavors, and environmental advocacy across social media platforms like Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lily Kwong's profession?
She is a professional landscape designer, eco-conscious entrepreneur, and the founder of Studio Lily Kwong. She also worked as a fashion model earlier in her career.
When did Nick Kroll and Lily Kwong get married?
The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in November 2020 after meeting two years prior.
Do Nick Kroll and Lily Kwong have children?
Yes, they share two children together: a son born in January 2021 and a daughter born in late 2023.
What did Lily Kwong study in college?
She earned a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies from Columbia University in 2012, which heavily influenced her career in sustainable landscape architecture.
