Erica Rhodes

Erica Rhodes is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer known for her high-pitched voice and autobiographical humor focusing on dating, relationships, and personal quirks. Born on April 5, 1983, in Newton, Massachusetts, she began performing at age 10 on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, where she voiced the on-air conscience of host Garrison Keillor and other characters.^[1][2][3] Rhodes has built a diverse career across television, voice acting, and stand-up festivals. Her notable television appearances include guest roles on ABC's Modern Family as Marianne, HBO's Veep, Fox's New Girl, Comedy Central's @midnight, and NBC's Bring the Funny. She provided the voice of the character Dotty in Netflix's animated series A Tale Dark and Grimm and starred in the ABC Digital short-form series The Off-Season. In 2024, Rhodes competed on season 19 of America's Got Talent, advancing to the top five in her quarterfinal week, where judge Sofia Vergara called her "the best comedy act she has ever seen on AGT."^[4][5][1] As a stand-up performer, Rhodes has released albums Sad Lemon (2019) and Ladybug (2023), both reaching number one on the iTunes comedy charts, and her one-hour special La Vie en Rhodes (2021) was produced for the Tribeca Drive-In Festival and is available on Amazon Prime. Her Dry Bar Comedy special Love You More has garnered over two million views on YouTube. Selected as a New Face at the 2018 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, she has also performed at events including Netflix Is a Joke, Moontower Comedy Festival, and San Francisco Sketchfest. Rhodes continues to tour extensively, with her "Call Me Crazy" tour scheduled through 2025.^[4][6]

Early life and education

Family background

Erica Rhodes was born on April 5, 1983, in Newton, Massachusetts.^[1] She is the daughter of Kristina Nilsson, a professional violinist who performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, and Dean Rhodes, a professional clarinetist who later transitioned to a career as a certified public accountant after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.^[7][8][9] Dean Rhodes died on October 25, 2020.^[10] Rhodes' maternal uncle by marriage is Garrison Keillor, the renowned writer and host of the public radio program A Prairie Home Companion, through her aunt Jenny Lind Nilsson, also a violinist married to Keillor.^[11] This family connection provided Rhodes with early exposure to public radio and live performance, as her mother, hailing from the same Minnesota town as Keillor, facilitated introductions that influenced her initial steps into the entertainment world.^[7][9] Growing up in a household immersed in classical music, Rhodes' childhood was profoundly shaped by her parents' professional traditions, fostering an early interest in the performing arts.^[7] The familial emphasis on music and performance created a nurturing environment that encouraged her creative inclinations from a young age.^[12]

Formal education

Erica Rhodes began her formal education in the performing arts at the Boston University College of Fine Arts, where she enrolled as a cello major and received classical training for one year before leaving the program. Influenced by her family's musical heritage, including her mother's career as a professional violinist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, this early academic experience laid a foundation in disciplined performance.^[7][13] She subsequently pursued acting training at the Atlantic Theater Conservatory in New York City, a two-year full-time conservatory program established by playwright David Mamet and actor William H. Macy. Rhodes graduated from this intensive program, which emphasizes practical theater techniques through the school's signature Practical Aesthetics method, focusing on authentic, action-driven performance.^[12][14] The Conservatory's curriculum provided comprehensive instruction in core acting skills, including improvisation for spontaneous character development, script analysis to uncover textual intentions and motivations, and ensemble performance techniques to foster collaborative storytelling and onstage presence. These elements equipped Rhodes with the tools for truthful, moment-to-moment acting in professional settings.^[14][15][16]

Career

Early professional beginnings

Erica Rhodes began her professional entertainment career performing at age 10 on the radio program A Prairie Home Companion, hosted by her uncle by marriage, Garrison Keillor. In the July 6, 1996, episode broadcast from Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, she provided the voice of a talk-show host's conscience in the sketch "Adventures in Ethics," an example of her early involvement in the show's comedic segments. This opportunity arose through family connections, as Keillor's wife at the time was related to Rhodes' mother.^[17][9] Building on this radio exposure, Rhodes transitioned to more structured professional pursuits starting in 2004, shifting from amateur family-influenced appearances to credited roles in short films and sketches. That year, she appeared in the comedic short Cavities and the mockumentary Film Fakers, both of which highlighted her emerging acting and improvisational skills in low-budget productions. These early works, often involving satirical humor, laid the groundwork for her blend of acting and comedy, with Rhodes frequently drawing on her high-pitched voice for character-driven sketches. By the mid-2000s, she was participating in live theater and improv shows in New York, including student-led productions that built her stage presence.^[1][2] Following her formal training at the Atlantic Theater Conservatory, Rhodes secured her first leading film role in the 2008 independent horror movie Plague Town, directed by David Gregory. In the film, she portrayed Jessica Monohan, one of two sisters encountering supernatural threats during a family trip to rural Ireland, earning recognition for her performance in a genre debut that showcased her versatility beyond radio sketches. This role, produced on a modest budget, represented a key milestone in establishing her on-screen presence and attracting attention from indie filmmakers.^[18][3]

Stand-up comedy development

Following her early radio performances on A Prairie Home Companion, Erica Rhodes transitioned into stand-up comedy in the early 2010s, building her career through live circuits and unscripted stage appearances.^[9] She gained visibility with guest spots on IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang!, where her improvisational skills shone in ensemble sketches alongside comedians like Scott Aukerman.^[4] Rhodes further expanded her live presence via multiple sets for Don't Tell Comedy, including viral performances like "Lady Years Old" in 2021 and "Call Me Crazy" in 2025, which highlighted her rapid-fire delivery in intimate, surprise-venue formats.^[19] Rhodes' stand-up matured through consistent club and festival gigs, emphasizing unpolished, audience-driven shows. In 2025, she headlined a three-night run at The Comedy Vault in Batavia, Illinois, from July 31 to August 2, drawing crowds with her blend of personal anecdotes and crowd work.^[20] This was followed by a performance at Yellow & Co. Events in Mahomet, Illinois, on August 3, where she tested new material in a smaller venue setting.^[21] These appearances underscored her growth in regional circuits, moving from open mics to sold-out weekends. A milestone in her touring career came with the announcement of the "Call Me Crazy Tour" in 2025, featuring stops across the U.S. to showcase her evolving hour-long sets.^[6] One key date is November 22, 2025, at Asbury Hall in Buffalo, New York, with special guest Kimberly Clark, marking her expansion into larger theaters.^[22] Rhodes' comedic style developed into an offbeat, observational approach, drawing from her family's artistic influences—her mother's musical background and her own early experiences as a dancer and cellist—which informed her rhythmic timing and narrative flair.^[23] Initially rooted in concise, haiku-like jokes reminiscent of Steven Wright, her material evolved post-2010 into longer, conversational stories exploring everyday absurdities, often with a "cutesy" facade masking sharp twists on relationships and generational divides.^[11] This maturation reflected her shift from acting pursuits to a distinct stand-up voice, honed through years of live refinement.^[9]

Acting roles

Film appearances

Erica Rhodes made her acting debut in the 2008 independent horror film Plague Town, directed by David Gregory, where she portrayed Jessica Monohan, one of the lead characters in a story about an American family encountering a sinister rural community in Ireland.^[18][24] In 2009, Rhodes appeared in the direct-to-video comedy 18 Year Old Virgin, playing the supporting role of Angela, a high school senior navigating awkward social dynamics in a raunchy teen ensemble.^[25] Her film work continued in 2010 with Go West, a micro-budget indie comedy about aspiring filmmakers, in which she played Julie, a key supporting character contributing to the film's satirical take on Hollywood dreams.^[26] Rhodes took on the role of Jenna in the 2011 Full Moon Features horror-comedy Killer Eye: Halloween Haunt, directed by Charles Band, where she starred as a college student whose slumber party is disrupted by a monstrous creature, blending campy effects with genre tropes.^[27] In the 2013 horror anthology Long Live the Dead, Rhodes appeared in the segment "Dweezle" as Robin, delivering a performance in one of several low-budget tales exploring supernatural themes.^[28] She had a supporting role as June Tiara in the 2014 family comedy Play Nice, directed by Rodman Flender, which follows parents scheming to secure their son's preschool admission after an accidental mishap, highlighting Rhodes' versatility in lighter indie fare.^[29] Rhodes' most recent feature film credit is in the 2018 dark comedy The Dinner Party, where she played Bridget, a guest whose arrival complicates a tense romantic evening, in this intimate production emphasizing interpersonal drama.^[30]

Television appearances

Rhodes made her television acting debut in a guest role on the Fox sitcom New Girl, portraying Wendy, a quirky friend of the character Jess Day, in the episode "Clavado En Un Bar," which aired on January 7, 2014.^[31] Her performance contributed to the episode's comedic exploration of workplace dilemmas and personal relationships.^[31] In 2016, Rhodes appeared on ABC's Modern Family as Marianne, a supporting character in the episode "I Don't Know How She Does It," broadcast on March 2, 2016.^[32] The role highlighted her ability to deliver sharp comedic timing in a family dynamics storyline involving overextended parenting.^[32] Rhodes expanded into voice acting with the Netflix animated series A Tale Dark & Grimm, where she provided the voice for the character Dotty across the 2021 season, premiering on October 8, 2021.^[33] Her portrayal of the mischievous Dotty added humor and energy to the dark fairy tale adaptations. Rhodes starred as Laurie in the ABC Digital short-form series The Off-Season (2017), alongside Robert Belushi.^[34] Additional television credits include a guest appearance on HBO's Veep as Date #2 in the episode "Library," which aired on April 23, 2017. She also featured as Tanya on IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! in the episode "Carly Rae Jepsen Wears a Chunky Necklace and Black Ankle Boots," broadcast on July 30, 2015.^[35]

Media and competition appearances

Podcast and radio engagements

Erica Rhodes began her radio career as a performer on the long-running variety show A Prairie Home Companion, making her debut at the age of 13 in 1996 and continuing with recurring appearances through the program's run until 2016.^[36] Her contributions included comedic sketches and musical segments alongside host Garrison Keillor, with notable post-2010 episodes featuring her in humorous dialogues, such as a 2010 broadcast where she was humorously positioned as Keillor's potential replacement host, and a 2011 New Year's Eve special involving diary-style monologues.^[37][38] In 2015, she performed a stand-up segment during a live episode, showcasing her improvisational style in the show's signature Midwestern storytelling format.^[39] Rhodes expanded into podcasting with guest appearances that highlighted her analytical and debate skills in comedic contexts. In 2016, she joined host Ken Reid on the TV Guidance Counselor podcast for Episode 178, where they dissected TV tropes and programming from the week of April 23-29, 1994, drawing on her Massachusetts roots for nostalgic insights.^[40] The following year, in 2017, she appeared on Episode 74 of The Best Debate in the Universe, hosted by Maddox, engaging in a panel debate on "Predicting the next big Hollywood scandal" alongside comedians Rucka, Mikey Bolts, and others, blending satire with timely cultural commentary.^[41] From 2019 onward, Rhodes became a frequent guest and panelist on The Adam Carolla Show, appearing multiple times annually to discuss comedy, personal anecdotes, and current events in her signature witty style.^[42] Her episodes often featured candid conversations, such as the January 20, 2025, installment titled "Erica Rhodes Shoots Her Shot," where she opened up about dating experiences and celebrity crushes.^[43] Later appearances in 2025 included "California Screamin' with Erica Rhodes" on July 6, exploring California's quirks; "NYC Erects Statue of Overweight Black Woman + Comedian Erica Rhodes" on May 12, touching on urban absurdities; "All Things Ladylike with Erica Rhodes" on September 29, delving into gender dynamics; and "Erica Rhodes Hates Activities for Couples" on October 20, critiquing relationship trends alongside reactions to social protests.^{[44][45][46][47]}

Chronological List of Key Engagements

• June 26, 2010 – A Prairie Home Companion: Featured in a sketch as the "young and bright" host replacement, emphasizing generational humor in radio variety.^[37]
• December 31, 2011 – A Prairie Home Companion: Performed in a "Diary" segment with reflective, comedic monologues for New Year's.^[38]
• November 2015 – A Prairie Home Companion: Delivered a stand-up routine during a live broadcast, integrating personal anecdotes into the show's narrative style.^[39]
• September 28, 2016 – TV Guidance Counselor (Episode 178): Analyzed 1990s TV listings with host Ken Reid, focusing on cultural tropes and shared regional background.^[40]
• November 6, 2017 – The Best Debate in the Universe (Episode 74): Debated predictions for Hollywood scandals, contributing satirical takes on industry figures like James Toback.^[41]
• January 20, 2025 – The Adam Carolla Show ("Erica Rhodes Shoots Her Shot"): Shared personal stories on dating and artist crushes, highlighting emotional vulnerability in comedy.^[43]
• May 12, 2025 – The Adam Carolla Show ("NYC Erects Statue..."): Discussed social sculptures and prison consulting, blending absurdity with real-world critique.^[45]
• July 6, 2025 – The Adam Carolla Show ("California Screamin'"): Explored state-specific eccentricities and robot advancements in society.^[44]
• September 29, 2025 – The Adam Carolla Show ("All Things Ladylike"): Examined ladylike behaviors and gender expectations through humorous lenses.^[46]
• October 20, 2025 – The Adam Carolla Show ("Erica Rhodes Hates Activities for Couples"): Critiqued couple activities and reacted to "NO KINGS" protests, emphasizing relational satire.^[47]

Television competitions and specials

Erica Rhodes competed in the NBC comedy competition series Bring the Funny in 2019, where she performed stand-up routines as a solo comedian.^[48] In the Open Mic round, she delivered a self-deprecating set introducing her high-pitched voice, earning smiles from judges Kenan Thompson, Jeff Foxworthy, and Chrissy Teigen.^[48] Rhodes advanced to the Comedy Clash and Showcase rounds with routines highlighting her observational humor, and judge Jeff Foxworthy praised her as possessing "the best-defined comic voice of the competition."^[4] In 2024, Rhodes auditioned on America's Got Talent with a stand-up set exploring dating frustrations, her distinctive voice, aging, and relationship absurdities.^[5] The performance drew enthusiastic responses from the judges: Sofia Vergara declared her the best comedy act she had ever seen on the show and her favorite comedian overall, while Howie Mandel called her brilliant, relatable, and destined for fame; Simon Cowell and Heidi Klum also praised the relatable humor.^[5] Rhodes advanced to the quarterfinals, where she performed another set on friend-zoning and personal anecdotes, placing in the top five of her quarterfinal group but not progressing to the semifinals.^[49] Rhodes made her network television stand-up debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in July 2024, delivering a short set on generational self-confidence differences between Gen X self-deprecation and the self-love embraced by Millennials and Gen Z.^[50] The routine incorporated personal stories, including reflections on her father's humor, and promoted her album Ladybug.^[50] In September 2025, Rhodes appeared on the CBS comedy showcase Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, joining a panel with Jeff Dye, Mike E. Winfield, and Adam Ferrara for a roundtable discussion and comedic performances.^[51]

Comedy works

Stand-up specials

Erica Rhodes released her debut full-length stand-up special, Love You More, in 2019 through Dry Bar Comedy. The 40-minute set, directed by Isaac Halasima, features Rhodes riffing on personal topics including voice lifts, grammar mishaps, non-motivational quotes, and everyday absurdities in a confessional style delivered with her signature high-pitched voice and energetic presence.^[52][53] It streams on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Tubi, earning an IMDb rating of 7.9/10 from 29 user reviews.^[54][52] In 2020, Rhodes followed with another Dry Bar Comedy special, 20 Year Olds Don't Matter, a 39-minute performance that explores generational differences between Gen X and millennials, self-confidence gaps, and the irrelevance of youthful perspectives in adult life. Filmed in a clean, intimate theater setting, the special highlights her observational humor and relatable anecdotes about aging and modern relationships, amassing over 2.3 million views on YouTube.^[55] It represents a key milestone in transitioning her live tour material to recorded formats.^[55] Rhodes' 2021 special, La Vie en Rhodes, marks her first hour-long production outside the Dry Bar series, filmed at a drive-in outside the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, amid the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Self-directed and produced in collaboration with Tribeca Enterprises and Comedy Dynamics, the 60-minute runtime delves into personal anecdotes on family dynamics, dating mishaps, narcissistic exes, emoji etiquette, bad grammar, and political correctness, blending confessional storytelling with quirky, wordplay-driven punchlines. Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and other platforms, it received an IMDb rating of 7.5/10 from 33 votes.^[56][57][58] Critics offered mixed reception; Paste Magazine praised her confident adaptation to the unconventional drive-in venue and charming crowd interaction but critiqued portions of the material as feeling recycled and derivative, suggesting she had yet to fully realize her potential.^[59] No additional full stand-up specials were released by Rhodes through 2025, though she continued touring and sharing shorter sets on platforms like YouTube and Don't Tell Comedy.

Discography

Erica Rhodes has released two self-produced comedy albums, both reaching number one on the iTunes comedy charts and featuring her signature observational style adapted from live stand-up routines. These audio recordings capture her performances in intimate settings, emphasizing relatable personal anecdotes delivered with sharp wit and timing. Available primarily through digital streaming platforms, her discography highlights her evolution as a comedian focusing on the quirks of modern life.^[4] Her debut album, Sad Lemon, was self-released on June 18, 2019, and consists of 21 tracks totaling approximately 55 minutes. Recorded live, it showcases Rhodes' observational humor centered on everyday frustrations, such as the challenges of single life in one's thirties, voice acting gigs, and interpersonal awkwardness. Tracks like "Making It," "Eye Contact," and "I Love You More" exemplify her confessional approach, blending self-deprecating insights with precise punchlines that resonate through loose, engaging delivery. The album is distributed on platforms including Spotify and Bandcamp.^[60][61] Rhodes' follow-up, Ladybug, arrived on October 20, 2023, as an independent production with 16 tracks spanning 55 minutes. This release delves into themes of resilience and absurdity, exploring topics like relationships, self-improvement fads, family dynamics, and hallucinogenic experiences. Standout bits include "Trophy Wife," which satirizes societal expectations of marriage; "Self-Help," poking fun at wellness culture; and "Shrooms," capturing the chaos of altered states. The album maintains her tight joke structure while amplifying emotional depth, making it a natural progression from her earlier work. It is accessible via Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.^[62][63][64] No additional albums or singles have been released by Rhodes as of November 2025, though her audio work continues to draw from ongoing live performances.^[65]