11 times Ellie Kemper proved she’s a literal ray of sunshine
Happy 40th to this positive force.
May 1, 2020 7:40 a.m. EST
May 6, 2020 12:00 a.m. EST
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Actress Ellie Kemper joins SiriusXM host Ron Bennington for special "Unmasked" event at SiriusXM Studios on October 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
11. When she clocked into The Office as the new Pam…
By the time Kemper got to The Office, the show was already in its fifth season. Erin was “a 115-pound moonbeam” who couldn’t go by her real name because there was already a Kelly, but she happily obliged to fit in. Who didn’t instantly fall in love with Erin’s wide-eyed optimism and creepy AF background? Even the producers were all-in on her charm, and what started out as a four-episode arc became a full-time gig for Kemper in season six.10. When she was one half of Subtle Sexuality
Who could forget Subtle Sexuality, aka the girl band Kelly (Mindy Kaling) and Erin created? The music video for their wannabe hit, “Male Prima Donna” just makes you want to throw on a pair of gold tights and dance along. With guest appearances by “Nard Dog” (Ed Helms) and “Mr. Understood” (B.J. Novak), it’s the silly/amazing music video that keeps on giving.9. That time she made out with Wendi McLendon-Covey
They may not have joined the Mile-High Club, but Kemper and Wendi McLendon-Covey got pretty darned close as their characters Becca and Rita in Bridesmaids. Sure, many people were all-in on Kristen Wiig’s inebriated charm as Annie on the plane trip gone wrong, but Becca’s sexual awakening during those scenes was like a Kemper revelation for fans and let viewers see a whole new side of her. It also had a few of us reaching for those double Seven and Sevens…8. When she made toast for David Letterman
Kemper has spoken out before about her fear of bombing on late night television, especially in front of her hero David Letterman. So she put a whole heck of a lot of thought into her third and final appearance on his former show, and decided to bring a toaster. But not just any toaster—one that toasted the host’s face. A talking point and something to snack on? That’s just the ultimate Ellie Kemper experience. It was memorable enough to bring up later on, during a Live With Kelly segment where we got to hear how the whole thing came together.7. How she brought light to the dark part of a bunker girl
When Tina Fey creates a role for you, you know you’ve made the big leagues. But really, could you picture anyone else playing the unbreakable personality that is Kimmy Schmidt, especially when you stop to think about how dark that character could have been? Kemper paired a bright wardrobe with eternal optimism and an ability to make every single situation fun, so that just thinking about Kimmy brings a smile to your face. The fact that the show's theme song matches that energy is just a bonus smile.6. When she compared her childhood to a squirrel
Are you really a female comedian if you haven’t released a memoir? In 2018, Kemper joined the likes of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling and Amy Schumer and released her own book. My Squirrel Days is a collection of stories that doesn’t just give readers new insights into her upbringing and (now) famous life, but the self-deprecating yet optimistic humour is exactly what we’ve come to know and love from the actress-author.5. When she opened up about the importance of team sports
Can you picture Kemper as an aggressive field hockey player? Of course you can. The actress actually played competitively growing up, and she was the co-captain of her high school team. She even made the Princeton squad later on, but wound up leaving after she spent more time warming the bench than playing. Always the optimist, she revealed that quitting led her towards comedy, so things really worked out in the end. Now it’s just something for her to brag about. "I’m so proud of the fact that I used to be a jock," she told Good Morning America. "I bring it up at like every opportunity, like, 'Well, when I played field hockey ... '"4.That time she acknowledged Canada in her stand-up act
It’s safe to say Kemper won’t be moving to our home and native land anytime soon, not since she joked at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal that she once went to Quebec City in February and stood outside for two minutes. “So now I can’t bear children,” joked the now-mother-of-two. Still, we Canadians tend to really like being acknowledged by our American counterparts, so fans were clearly all over the act… and they were even more charmed when Kemper busted out a song about making people happy.3. When she agreed to star in the Home Alone remake
We may have mixed feelings about one of the most perfect Christmas movies of all time being remade with brand new characters. But knowing that Kemper is on board is the sunny ray of hope diehard Home Alone fans need. Not only will she bring charm to the film, but the actress is returning to Montreal to finish shooting it in the near future. Here’s hoping she gathers up even more Canadian material for her next stand-up act.View this post on InstagramWe’re not cold YOU’RE COLD (also we are freezing) @pellegrinokatie #canada #coldlife
