Hubbry Logo
RettaRettaMain
Open search
Retta
Community hub
Retta
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Retta
Retta
Retta
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Marietta Sangai Sirleaf[1][2] (born April 12, 1970), known professionally as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She is best known for her roles as Donna Meagle on NBC's Parks and Recreation and Ruby Hill on NBC's Good Girls.[3] She has appeared in several films and television shows, and has performed stand-up on Comedy Central's Premium Blend.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Retta was born in Newark, New Jersey.[2] She is of Liberian descent.[4] She grew up in Edison and in the Cliffwood Beach section of Aberdeen Township, New Jersey,[5] where she attended Matawan Regional High School, graduating in 1988.[6][7] In 1992, Retta graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where she was pre-med and graduated with a degree in sociology.

Retta was raised as a member of the New Apostolic Church. In the youth group of her church, her ability to make others laugh was a major talent. When Retta competed in her first TV comedy contest, members from all over the world from the New Apostolic Church voted for her. This contributed to her winning the contest and helped to further her career. In that contest she mentioned her faith and spiritual upbringing.[6][8][9]

Career

[edit]

After graduating from Duke, Retta worked as a chemist. In her spare time, she performed stand-up at Charlie Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.[10] Eventually, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy.[11] Retta said on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! that when she started performing stand-up comedy, she decided to call herself Retta rather than explain her name.[12] She started doing standup in 1996, although she said she did not start "earning money" until 1998, when she began touring on the college circuit. Retta said she used to get "really nauseated" before a performance, but that the feeling passed with experience.[13] Retta has said her stand-up material tends to be slightly embellished stories from her regular everyday life, family, and friends.[11][14]

Retta has served as the opening act for such comedians as Shirley Hemphill and Bobby Collins.[13] She has made television appearances on Bravo's Welcome to the Parker, E! Entertainment Television's The Soup,[14] Freddie, Moesha, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,[15] and the "Comedy Divas Showcase" segment of The Jenny Jones Show.[16] Retta has also performed on Premium Blend, a Comedy Central show featuring up-and-coming comedians.[13]

In 2009, Retta started making regular guest appearances on the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation as Donna Meagle, an employee in the Parks Department of the fictional town, Pawnee, Indiana. During a stand-up performance at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Retta said the acting job on the show was stressful because it was unclear how long the show would stay on the air, due to the poor reviews it received during the first season.[14] Alan Sepinwall, a television columnist with The Star-Ledger, said season 2 episodes of Parks and Recreation afforded more personality and funnier jokes to Donna and other minor characters.[17] She was upgraded to a full-time regular cast member in the third season.[18]

In late 2011, she received a "Best Supporting Actress (Comedy)" nomination at the 3rd Indie Soap Awards for the indie web series Vampire Mob.[19] Retta also hosted the 3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards in 2013.[20] In 2014, she appeared on Hollywood Game Night as a contestant along with the other celebrities Paget Brewster, Michael Chiklis, Mario Lopez, Thomas Lennon, and Alyssa Milano.[21] In 2015, Retta was one of the audiobook narrators for Welcome to Night Vale, a novel tie-in to the eponymous podcast series in which she is the voice of Old Woman Josie.[18] The same year she appeared in season 2 of Bravo's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.[18]

In 2018, Retta co-starred in the NBC series, Good Girls, opposite Christina Hendricks and Mae Whitman.[3] In 2018, Retta published a series of essays in a book called So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know.[22] Where she talks about her journey with weight loss with "bestie" and the joys and adventures of being in the "Hollywood Scene!" In 2022, Retta signed a talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.[23] Beginning in 2022, Retta hosted seasons 1-5 of HGTV's Ugliest House in America.

Personal life

[edit]

On Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, she said she dated a man from Georgia who nicknamed her Retta because her name Marietta sounded like where he came from.[12] She is a niece by marriage of the former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.[4] Despite public confusion, Retta is not the cousin of Ginuwine.[24] Retta is a fan of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, and presented awards at the NHL award ceremonies in Las Vegas, in 2014 and 2015.[25][26][27][28][29]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1998 Ringmaster Additional voices
2002 Slackers Bruna
2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Sad Eye Sadie
2007 Fracture Evidence Room Cop
2007 Sex and Death 101 Ethel
2008 First Sunday Roberta
2014 Sex Ed Sydney
2015 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip Party Planner
2016 Other People Nina
Operator Pauline "Roger" Rogers
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life Ida Stricker
2017 To the Bone Lobo
Band Aid Carol
The Lego Ninjago Movie Maggie the Cheerleader Voice
Where's the Money Roberta
Father Figures Annie
2019 Good Boys Lucas' Mom
2023 80 for Brady Herself
Hit Man Claudette
2024 The Greatest Hits Dr. Evelyn Bartlett

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1997 Moesha Hostess Episode: "Double Date" (Season 3, Episode 12)
2004 $5.15/Hr Joy
2005 Freddie Joan Episode: "Rich Man, Poor Girl"
2006 Rodney Tanya Evans Episode: "When Rodney Comes Marching Home"
2008 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Hardware Store Clerk Episode: "The Gang Gets Extreme: Home Makeover Edition"
2009–15, 2020 Parks and Recreation Donna Meagle Recurring (seasons 1–2); Starring/main (seasons 3–7)[a]
2009 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Heckler Episode: "#7.46"
2014, 2015 Kroll Show TSA #1, Lara Episodes: "Krolling Around with Nick Klown" and "Body Bouncers"
2014 Drunk History Sylvia Robinson Episode: "American Music"
2014 Key & Peele The Woman Episode: "Sex Addict Wendell"
2015–18 Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce Barbara Recurring (season 2); Main (season 3–5)
2018–2021 Good Girls Ruby Hill Main cast
2019 Pinky Malinky Mrs. Malinky (Voice) Episode: "Snack"
Where's Waldo? Wizard Nightingale (Voice) Episode: "Vienna Voice-Versa"
Big Mouth Duke's Mother (Voice) Episode: "Duke"
2020–21 DuckTales Mystical Harp (Voice) 2 episodes
2020 Home Movie: The Princess Bride The Mother Episode: "Chapter One: As You Wish"[30]
2021 Duncanville Makeover Station Employee (Voice) Episode: "Das Banana Boot"
2022 Bubble Guppies General Yuck (Voice) Episode: “Don’t Yuck My Yum!”
Tuca & Bertie Voice Episode: "Fledging Day"
2022–present Ugliest House in America Host [31]
2023 The Morning Show Herself
2024–present Scariest House in America Host [32]
2024-2025 Elsbeth Margo Clarke 2 episodes

Bibliography

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Retta

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Marietta Sangai Sirleaf (born April 12, 1970), known professionally as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and television host of Liberian descent, best known for her role as on the sitcom (2009–2015). Born in , to Liberian immigrant parents, Retta is the niece of , Liberia's first female president and a laureate. She initially pursued a pre-med track at , graduating in 1992, but pivoted to comedy after abandoning plans for medical school. Retta began her career as a stand-up comedian in before moving to in the early 2000s to pursue acting opportunities. Her breakthrough came with a recurring role on starting in 2009, where her portrayal of the confident, luxury-loving assistant earned her widespread recognition and a promotion to series regular in season three. The role highlighted her sharp wit and comedic timing, contributing to the show's critical acclaim. Transitioning to leading roles, Retta starred as Ruby Hill in the crime comedy-drama Good Girls (2018–2021), playing a suburban mother turned criminal, which marked her first major starring vehicle after years in supporting parts. She has since appeared in films such as The Greatest Hits (2024) and The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie (2024), and guest-starred as matchmaker Margo Clarke on the series Elsbeth (2024–2025), earning a 2024 Astra TV Award nomination for Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series. In recent years, Retta has expanded into hosting, fronting HGTV's Ugliest House in America (2022–present) and its spin-off Scariest House in America (2024–present), where she tours and judges bizarre properties with her signature humor. She published the memoir So Close to Being the Sht, Y'all Don't Even Know* in 2018. Her early recognition includes being named one of magazine's best comedy talents in 2005 and a nomination for Female Comic of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine. Retta also signed a with ABC/Disney in 2015 to develop projects.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Marietta Sangai Sirleaf, known professionally as Retta, was born on April 12, 1970, in , to Liberian immigrant parents George and Deborah Sirleaf, who had arrived in the United States the previous year. She grew up in a modest two-bedroom apartment in Edison and Cliffwood Beach, , sharing a crowded space with her parents, two younger brothers—including one named George Jr.—and occasionally a . Retta attended Matawan Regional High School, from which she graduated in 1988. Raised in the , Retta participated actively in the youth group, where her natural ability to make others laugh first became evident during activities and gatherings. Her family heritage traces back to , and she is the niece of former Liberian President . The origin of her "Retta" stems from a college boyfriend from Georgia, who nicknamed her after shortening her first name Marietta to sound like "May-retta," a pronunciation reminiscent of his hometown; this moniker, unrelated to the singer , stuck with her.

Academic pursuits

Retta attended in , graduating in 1992 with a degree in . Initially, she followed a pre-med track, completing all required science courses despite ultimately shifting her focus away from medicine. During her time at , Retta participated in theater productions, an extracurricular pursuit that helped develop her public speaking and performance abilities while exposing her to diverse perspectives among students. These experiences in the complemented her academic studies and laid foundational skills for her future in entertainment, fostering an appreciation for character-driven narratives and audience interaction. Following graduation, Retta took a to prepare for the (MCAT), during which she worked as a at GlaxoSmithKline in the Raleigh-Durham area. Although she retained her pre-med materials, including study books and notebooks, she ultimately decided against pursuing medicine, instead channeling her interests toward acting and comedy. In January 1997, she relocated to to advance her aspirations in the field.

Career

Stand-up comedy beginnings

After graduating from Duke University in 1992 with a degree in sociology, Retta worked as a chemist for GlaxoSmithKline in Raleigh, North Carolina, while beginning to explore comedy as a hobby. In 1996, she made her stand-up debut performing open-mic sets at Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, drawing inspiration from 1990s sitcoms led by stand-up comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Roseanne Barr. Determined to pursue comedy professionally, Retta relocated to in 1997, driving cross-country and securing an agent focused on college bookings shortly after arrival. Her first paid gig came in 1998, when she began touring the college circuit through the National Association for Campus Activities, marking the start of her professional stand-up career. Early years were marked by financial instability, as she balanced sporadic performances with her prior pharmaceutical research job and other odd roles to make ends meet, while facing a competitive scene that included rising talents like . The post-9/11 economic downturn further reduced gig opportunities, pushing her to audition more aggressively for on-camera work. Retta gained wider recognition in 2002 with an appearance on Comedy Central's Premium Blend, hosted by Wanda Sykes, where she performed alongside comedians like DeRay Davis. She followed this with recurring panelist spots on E!'s The Soup starting in 2004, contributing satirical commentary on pop culture that highlighted her quick wit. These television exposures, combined with winning Comedy Central's inaugural stand-up competition around the same period, helped establish her presence in the industry. Her comedic style evolved through self-deprecating anecdotes and observational humor centered on race, , and everyday pop culture absurdities, often drawing from personal experiences like societal assumptions about her appearance. Initially influenced by high-energy performers like , Retta shifted away from mimicry to embrace a more authentic, conversational delivery that emphasized unvarnished realism. This approach resonated during her early tours, where she opened for established acts including Bobby Collins and in the early 2000s, honing her material on regional and college audiences.

Television breakthrough

Retta's television career gained significant momentum in with a as a hardware store clerk in the episode "The Gang Gets Extreme: Home Makeover Edition" of FX's , marking an early scripted role that showcased her comedic timing. This opportunity, built on her prior experience, paved the way for more prominent parts. Later that year, she began recurring as Donna , the sassy and self-assured office manager in the Parks Department on NBC's , evolving into a main cast member across all seven seasons from to 2015. Her portrayal of Donna, known for catchphrases like "Treat Yo' Self," endeared her to audiences and established her as a household name in comedy television. The role on Parks and Recreation brought Retta her first major critical acclaim, including a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy at the 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards in 2011 for her work in the web series Vampire Mob, though her Donna character amplified her visibility. She reprised the role in the 2020 reunion special , a one-off episode set during the that reunited the cast for a scripted video call narrative benefiting . In 2018, Retta achieved a lead role breakthrough as Ruby Hill, a determined mother turning to crime for her family's sake, in NBC's Good Girls, starring alongside and across four seasons until its conclusion in 2021. The series highlighted her versatility in a dramedy format, drawing on her comedic roots while exploring themes of desperation and loyalty. Her performance as Ruby solidified her status as a leading TV actress. Retta expanded into voice acting with the role of the Mystical Harp, a truth-telling enchanted instrument, in two episodes of Disney XD's DuckTales reboot during its 2020–2021 run, including "The Lost Harp of Mervana!" More recently, she guest-starred as elite matchmaker Margo Clarke in two episodes of CBS's Elsbeth—season 1's "Love Knocked Off" in 2024 and the season 2 finale " Holiday" in 2025—further demonstrating her range in the procedural spin-off from . In January 2022, Retta signed an exclusive talent holding deal with , allowing her to develop and star in projects across NBCU Television and Streaming Entertainment as well as , signaling continued investment in her television presence.

Film roles

Retta's film debut came in 1998 with a background role providing additional voices in the low-budget comedy Ringmaster, a satirical take on tabloid talk shows starring . Her early film work consisted primarily of minor supporting parts. In 2007, she appeared as the Evidence Room Cop in the legal thriller , directed by and featuring and in lead roles. That same year, Retta played the Receptionist Nurse in the South Korean fantasy action film Dragon Wars: D-War, a high-concept involving ancient mythical creatures. Retta's contributions to comedy films became more prominent in the 2010s. She took on the role of Sydney, the confident and adventurous bar owner, in the 2014 indie comedy Sex Ed, where her character mentors the protagonist on relationships and life lessons amid a story about an unconventional sex education teacher. This performance highlighted her ability to deliver sharp, relatable humor in ensemble settings. In recent years, Retta has secured higher-profile supporting roles in ensemble comedies. She appeared as herself in the 2023 sports comedy 80 for Brady, joining Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field as part of a group of friends on a road trip to the Super Bowl. Later that year, in Richard Linklater's Hit Man, she portrayed Claudette, a pragmatic detective who improvises key plot twists, drawing from her own experiences to infuse the character with authenticity and comedic edge. In 2024, Retta played Dr. Evelyn Bartlett, a compassionate grief counselor, in the romantic fantasy The Greatest Hits, supporting lead actress Lucy Boynton's exploration of loss and memory through music. She also appeared as Mrs. Bundy in the 2024 comedy The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie. Throughout her film career, Retta has excelled in comedic supporting roles that emphasize her timing, wit, and commanding screen presence, often as bold, self-assured women who steal scenes without dominating the narrative. While early limited her to peripheral characters, her success has facilitated breakthroughs into more nuanced parts, allowing her to challenge by infusing roles with personal flair and depth, as she has reflected in discussions on actor representation.

Hosting and media ventures

Retta began hosting the series Ugliest House in America in 2022, traveling across the to tour properties nominated by owners for their gaudy designs and botched renovations, while delivering humorous narration that highlights the eccentric features of each home. The show culminates in Retta and her team selecting the nation's ugliest house, awarding its owners a $150,000 renovation by designer Alison Victoria. By 2025, the series had reached its sixth season, with Retta's witty commentary—rooted in her experience—continuing to engage viewers through cringe-worthy tours of bizarre spaces like cave-like dwellings and riverfront oddities. Expanding her presence on , Retta launched the spinoff Scariest House in America in 2024, where she courageously explores homes filled with haunts, frights, and eerie elements, such as former jails, alleged mobster hideouts, and crumbling structures with witchy vibes. Similar to its predecessor, the series crowns the most terrifying property, granting its owner a $150,000 makeover by Alison Victoria. The program entered its second season in September 2025, further showcasing Retta's ability to blend humor with the themes of the properties she visits. In 2022, Retta signed a with , allowing her to collaborate exclusively with NBCU Television and Streaming Entertainment, as well as , on developing projects where she could star across their platforms, including and cable networks. This agreement underscores her versatility in non-scripted and entertainment formats. Additionally, Retta appeared on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in 2025, competing to raise funds for charity and ultimately winning $172,200 for the Burbank Vocal Foundation. As part of this philanthropic effort, she made a surprise visit to the foundation's students at Burbank High School, sharing the donation and performing for the group to support their music programs.

Personal life

Family ties and influences

Retta, born Marietta Sangai Sirleaf, is the niece by marriage to , who served as from 2006 to 2018 and became the first elected female head of state in Africa. This familial connection stems from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's marriage to Retta's father's cousin, linking Retta to a prominent lineage of Liberian leaders and influencers. In interviews, Retta has expressed pride in this tie, noting her mother's affectionate nickname for her aunt, "Iron Ellen," which highlights Sirleaf's renowned determination and outspokenness in advocating for Liberia's people amid political challenges. Retta learned of Sirleaf's 2011 win through a friend, an event that underscored the family's legacy of resilience and public service, further shaping Retta's appreciation for her Liberian roots. This extended family connection has notably influenced Retta's perspectives on her heritage, emphasizing themes of strength and cultural pride within the Liberian . Retta has discussed how her aunt's achievements reinforced her understanding of Liberian women's roles in leadership and community building, drawing from family stories of Sirleaf's dedication to national recovery post-conflict. In reflecting on her upbringing, Retta describes early childhood experiences in —such as family cooking traditions and street-side treats like sugar cane—that instilled a deep sense of cultural identity, even after her family's return to the in the 1980s. These dynamics, marked by her parents' immigrant journey and emphasis on perseverance, have informed Retta's public discussions of balancing American life with Liberian values, fostering a identity rooted in familial and heritage preservation. Retta maintains limited public disclosure about her immediate family beyond childhood, with no mentions of a spouse or children as of 2025. Despite the high-profile political link, she has largely avoided incorporating into her comedic work, focusing instead on universal themes of humor and relatability to honor her family's support without entanglement in partisan discourse. Her family's immigrant ethos of high expectations and resourcefulness provided foundational encouragement for her career pursuits, reinforcing a supportive environment that valued ambition over specific professional paths.

Interests and public persona

Retta is an avid fan of the hockey team, a passion she has enthusiastically shared through live-tweeting games and public appearances. She presented awards at the NHL Awards ceremonies in 2014 and 2015, showcasing her growing enthusiasm for the sport during events in . Retta has openly discussed her journey following her time on , losing 50 pounds through lifestyle changes, and has used interviews to advocate for , encouraging regardless of size. Her approach highlights the importance of health without shaming, aligning with broader conversations on embracing diverse body types. In her public persona, Retta is known for being outspoken on , particularly on under the handle @unforettable, where she infuses humor into everyday life with witty commentary on pop culture, personal anecdotes, and lighthearted observations. This engaging style fosters strong connections with fans, emphasizing relatability and joy in routine moments. Retta demonstrates a commitment to , particularly in supporting arts education for youth; for instance, in 2025, she won $172,200 on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and surprised students at the Burbank Youth Vocal Arts Foundation with the donation during a visit. As of 2025, Retta has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships or children, maintaining privacy in these aspects of her .

Filmography and works

Television credits

Retta's television career spans stand-up specials, guest spots, recurring roles, lead performances, and hosting duties. Her credits are presented chronologically below, focusing on acting roles, voice work, and non-acting appearances.
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodes/Notes
2002Premium BlendSelf (stand-up)1 episode
2004–2007The SoupSelfMultiple episodes (recurring correspondent)
2005FreddieJoan1 episode
2005RodneyTanya1 episode
2008It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaHardware Store Clerk1 episode
2008The LoopPamela1 episode
2009Ugly BettyLydia1 episode
2009–2015, 2020Parks and RecreationDonna Meagle119 episodes (recurring seasons 1–2; main seasons 3–7; special appearance)
2013–2015Kroll ShowVarious3 episodes
2015–2018Girlfriends' Guide to DivorceBarbara12 episodes (recurring)
2017SuperstoreBree1 episode (guest)
2018The Good PlaceDr. Minka1 episode (guest)
2018–2021Good GirlsRuby Hill50 episodes (main role)
2020DuckTalesThe Harp (voice)1 episode
2021DuncanvilleSandy (voice)1 episode (guest)
2022The Boys Presents: DiabolicalGhost's Mom (voice)1 episode
2022Tuca & Bertie(voice)2 episodes
2022–presentUgliest House in AmericaHostMultiple seasons (5+ episodes per season)
2023The Morning ShowHerself1 episode
2024–presentScariest House in AmericaHostOngoing seasons
2024–2025ElsbethMargo Clarke2 episodes (guest)

Film credits

Retta's film credits primarily feature her in supporting and comedic roles across a range of genres, from comedies to dramas. Her debut came in a minor voice role, and she has continued with character parts in ensemble casts. The following table lists her feature film appearances chronologically up to 2024, including directors and notable co-stars where applicable.
YearTitleRoleDirectorNotable Co-stars
1998RingmasterAdditional Voices (uncredited)Neil AbramsonJerry Springer, Jaime Pressly
2002SlackersBrunaDewey NicksJason Schwartzman, Devon Sawa
2003Dickie Roberts: Former Child StarSad Eye SadieSam WeismanDavid Spade, Mary McCormack
2005Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousAgent JanetJohn PasquinSandra Bullock, Regina King
2007FractureEvidence Room CopGregory HoblitAnthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling
2007Sex and Death 101EthelDaniel WatersSimon Baker, Winona Ryder
2007Dragon Wars: D-WarReceptionist NurseShim Hyung-raeJason Behr, Amanda Brooks
2008First SundayRobertaDavid E. TalbertIce Cube, Tracy Morgan
2008Kissing CousinsShawna the ChefMark L. TaylorSam Page, David Giuntoli
2009I Love You, Beth CooperPrincipalChris ColumbusHayden Panettiere, Paul Rust
2014Sex EdSydneyIsaac FederHaley Joel Osment, Lorenza Izzo
2014Muffin Top: A Love StoryLeahCathryn MichonCathryn Michon, David O'Donnell
2016OperatorPauline "Roger" RogersAmariah OlsonLuke Hemsworth, Ving Rhames
2016Middle School: The Worst Years of My LifeIda StrickerSteve CarrGriffin Gluck, Lauren Graham
2017Band AidTherapistZoe Lister-JonesZoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally
2017To the BoneLoboMarti NoxonLily Collins, Keanu Reeves
2017The Lego Ninjago MovieMaggie the Cheerleader (voice)Charlie BeanDave Franco, Jackie Chan (voices)
2017Where's the MoneyRobertaScott ZabielskiAndrew Bachelor, Kat Graham
2017Father FiguresAnnieLawrence SherOwen Wilson, Ed Helms
2019Good BoysLucas' MomGene StupnitskyJacob Tremblay, Brady Noon
202380 for BradyDr. LilyKyle MarvinJane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, Tom Brady
2023Hit ManClaudetteRichard LinklaterGlen Powell, Adria Arjona
2024The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The MovieMrs. BundyJimmy TatroJimmy Tatro, Cody Ko
2024The Greatest HitsDr. Evelyn BartlettNed BensonLucy Boynton, Justin H. Min

Publications and writings

Retta's primary foray into published writing is her 2018 memoir, So Close to Being the Sht, Y’all Don’t Even Know*, released by St. Martin's Griffin as a collection of humorous essays. The book chronicles her personal journey, including candid reflections on weight loss experiences, the challenges of navigating Hollywood as a and , and entertaining anecdotes spanning her early career struggles to rising fame. Key essays delve into topics like her time as a contract chemist before , awkward encounters such as telling "dirty" jokes to Mormon audiences, feeling like an outsider on the set of , and fending off body-shaming critics. The was praised for Retta's bold, unfiltered voice and relatable humor, with reviewers highlighting its empowering take on and perseverance in entertainment. As of November 2025, Retta has not published any additional books, though elements of her essay-style storytelling appear in serialized form on her appearances and interviews.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802876/
  2. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/retta/bio/3000393467/
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/08/retta-how-tvs-treat-yo-self-queen-conquered-comedy
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802876/bio/
  5. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/good-girls-retta-feature-profile-1069033/
  6. https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a68063965/retta-scariest-house-hgtv-and-tv-career/
  7. https://collider.com/ugliest-house-in-america-new-season-2026-hgtv-retta/
  8. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250109354/soclosetobeingtheshtyalldontevenknow
  9. https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/retta-has-a-story-to-tell.html
  10. https://thecinemaholic.com/retta-everything-we-know-about-hgtv-host/
  11. https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/who-retta-all-actress-ahead-ugliest-house-america-ugly-paradise-premiere-hgtv
  12. https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/actors/retta-net-worth/
  13. https://www.npr.org/2018/05/26/614449902/not-my-job-3-questions-for-good-girls-star-retta-about-good-boys
  14. https://today.duke.edu/2015/02/retta-sirleaf-returns-duke
  15. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-black-women-comedy-retta-20170720-htmlstory.html
  16. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/retta-background-front-center-1996/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0677963/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421460/fullcredits/
  19. https://www.metroweekly.com/2014/10/unmistakably-retta/
  20. https://kids.kiddle.co/Retta
  21. https://screenrant.com/always-sunny-philadelphia-guest-stars-ranked/
  22. https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/retta-talent-holding-deal-nbcuniversal-1235165302/
  23. https://www.indieseriesawards.com/2011/12/nominations-3rd-annual-indie-soap.html
  24. https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/parks-and-recreation-virtual-reunion-special-aubrey-plaza-adam-scott-retta-interview-1234593427/
  25. https://www.npr.org/2019/04/19/714750417/retta-tweet-yo-self
  26. https://www.tvline.com/news/ducktales-season-3-episode-4-video-retta-singing-mermaid-1186015/
  27. https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/elsbeth-season-2-finale-photos-cell-block-tango-carrie-preston/
  28. https://deadline.com/2022/01/retta-talent-holding-deal-nbcuniversal-good-girls-parks-and-recreation-1234921092/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165494/fullcredits/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0488120/fullcredits/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372873/fullcredits/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2751310/fullcredits/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18079362/fullcredits/
  34. https://collider.com/hit-man-retta/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31945450/
  36. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/05/01/180083329/To-Avoid-Or-To-Embrace-How-Actors-Navigate-Stereotypes
  37. https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/hgtv-retta-ugliest-house-in-america-1235028113/
  38. https://people.com/home/retta-to-host-new-hgtv-series-ugliest-house-in-america-featuring-the-countrys-wildest-homes/
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRGhLddY1qE
  40. https://www.hgtv.com/shows/scariest-house-in-america
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33305795/
  42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gTlqkJP8eM
  43. https://myburbank.com/actress-retta-wins-172200-on-celebrity-wheel-of-fortune-for-burbank-youth-vocal-arts-foundation/
  44. https://abc7.com/videoClip/17933719/
  45. https://uproxx.com/tv/retta-from-parks-and-recreation-is-related-to-liberias-nobel-prize-winning-president/
  46. https://variety.com/2018/tv/features/retta-good-girls-parks-and-recreation-healthcare-trans-issues-trump-1202658020/
  47. https://kuklaskorner.com/kuklas-korner-hockey/your-presenters-and-performers-for-the-2014-nhl-awards-show
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4839308/
  49. https://blog.umd.edu/sjeremij/retta-weight-loss-how-the-parks-and-rec-star-lost-50-pounds-naturally-in-1-year/
  50. https://www.instagram.com/unforettable/?hl=en
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msz1bMmPQrc
  52. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/hgtv-star-retta-her-real-162800254.html
  53. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/retta/credits/3000393467/
  54. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/75318-retta
  55. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/Retta
  56. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/retta
  57. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6474378/
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11973534/
  59. https://www.hgtv.com/shows/ugliest-house-in-america
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30892133/
  61. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36132686/
  62. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5541240/
  63. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250109354/soclosetobeingtheshtyalldontevenknow/
  64. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/so-close-to-being-the-sh-t-yall-dont-even-know-retta/1126974593
  65. https://www.amazon.com/Close-Being-Yall-Dont-Even/dp/1250109345
  66. https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com/book-review-so-close-to-being-the-sht-yall-dont-even-know-by-rhetta/
  67. https://lauralieff.com/retta-so-close-to-being-the-sht-yall-dont-even-know/
  68. https://www.amazon.com/Retta/e/B07F1LBX2F
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.