Carol Leifer
Biography
Carol Leifer is an American comedian, writer and producer who started doing stand-up in the 1970s while she was in college. Raised in East Williston, New York, she studied theater at Harpur College and later moved to Queens College to be nearer the city's club scene. She appeared on Late Night with David Letterman 25 times and credited David Letterman, her mentor, with her rise to fame. Her television writing includes Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld and The Larry Sanders Show, and she wrote six Seinfeld episodes while also serving as a story editor. She received four Primetime Emmy nominations, for The Larry Sanders Show, Seinfeld and two Academy Awards broadcasts. She created, executive produced and starred in the sitcom Alright Already, and co-created The Ellen Show with Mitchell Hurwitz. Her acting and voice work includes Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel (1988), Bee Movie, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist and Desperately Seeking Susan.
70years old
Turns 71 on July 27in 259 days
- Born East Williston
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 32 years1988 to 2020
Every film, newest first
- 2020An American PickleIMDb rating 5.7
- 1999Larry David: Curb Your EnthusiasmIMDb rating 8.1
- 1998Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last TimeIMDb rating 7.8
- 1988Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of SteelIMDb rating 5.5
Genres
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Big break
Leifer was hired as a writer for Saturday Night Live by Al Franken and Jim Downey, but executive producer Lorne Michaels did not hire her directly and she was not asked back for a second season.
First role
In 1977 Leifer started doing stand-up comedy and moved to Queens College so she could be nearer the clubs. At New York's Comic Strip, emcee Jerry Seinfeld later introduced her.
A first
Leifer has been called "the real Elaine" because the Seinfeld character Elaine Benes drew in part on her. She also wrote six episodes for the show and worked as a story editor and executive story editor.
Big break
Leifer gives David Letterman, her mentor and lifelong friend, credit for her rise to fame. She did stand-up on Late Night with David Letterman 25 times.
Behind the camera
Carol Leifer wrote and starred in Carol Leifer: Gaudy, Bawdy & Blue, a 1992 Showtime TV film. This mockumentary follows Rusty Berman, a fictional aged comedian Leifer plays, using interviews and flashbacks.
Carol Leifer movies on Netflix
Worked with
Carol Leifer shares two films with Jerry Seinfeld, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Jerry Seinfeld's page
Seth Rogen's page
Hal Holbrook's page
Peter Boyle's page
Larry Miller's page
Jason Alexander's page
All films by Brandon Trost
All films by Robert B. Weide
Marty CallnerDirector, 1 film, 1998
All films by Marty Callner
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.