Retta

Biography

Marietta Sirleaf, better known simply as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She is mainly known for her starring role as Donna Meagle on NBC's Parks and Recreation. She has appeared in several films and television shows, and has performed stand-up on Comedy Central's Premium Blend. Retta is from New Jersey, and graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She started working in the pharmaceutical research field before moving to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in comedy.Retta started performing stand-up comedy in 1996, although she said she did not start "earning money" until 1998, when she started touring on the college circuit. Retta said she used to get "really nauseated" before a performance, but that the feeling passed with experience.Retta has said her stand-up material tends to be slightly embellished stories from her regular everyday life, family, and friends. She has also made jokes about her obesity. Retta has stated she would give up stand-up comedy for a full-time acting career if possible: "I'm not married to stand-up, just because it's a road thing. It's very lonely with all the traveling.

Known For

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Late Night with Seth Meyers

The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Bob's Burgers

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

All Movies (31)

• That Friend2026 · as Christine
• The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie2024 · as Mrs. Bundy
• Hit Man2024 · as Claudette
• The Greatest Hits2024 · as Dr. Evelyn Bartlett
• 80 for Brady2023 · as Self
• Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong2023 · as Self
• A Parks and Recreation Special2020 · as Donna Meagle
• The Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation2020 · as Donna Meagle
• Good Boys2019 · as Lucas' Mom
• A Legendary Christmas with John & Chrissy2018 · as Self
• Father Figures2017 · as Annie
• Where's the Money2017 · as Roberta
• The Lego Ninjago Movie2017 · as Maggie the Cheerleader (voice)
• Band Aid2017 · as Carol
• To the Bone2017 · as Lobo
• Operator2016 · as Pauline 'Roger' Rogers
• Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life2016 · as Ida Stricker
• Other People2016 · as Nina
• Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip2015 · as Party Planner
• Come Simi2015 · as Nurse Lipps
• Rebel on Ice2015 · as Self
• Sex Ed2014 · as Sydney
• Muffin Top: A Love Story2014 · as Leah
• Kissing Cousins2008 · as Shawna the Chef
• First Sunday2008
• First Sunday2008 · as Roberta
• Dragon Wars: D-War2007 · as Receptionist Nurse
• Sex and Death 1012007 · as Ethel Walters (#100)
• Fracture2007 · as Evidence Room Cop
• Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star2003 · as Sad Eye Sadie
• Slackers2002 · as Bruna

All TV Shows (39)

• Scariest House in America2024 · as Self - Host
• Elsbeth2024 · as Margo Clarke
• The Jennifer Hudson Show2022 · as Self
• The Boys Presents: Diabolical2022 · as Ghost's Mom (voice)
• Ugliest House in America2022 · as Self - Host
• Celebrity Wheel of Fortune2021 · as Self - Contestant
• Get Organized with The Home Edit2020
• Home Movie: The Princess Bride2020 · as The Mother
• Duncanville2020 · as Makeover Station Employee (voice)
• The Morning Show2019 · as Retta
• A Little Late with Lilly Singh2019 · as Self
• The Kelly Clarkson Show2019 · as Self
• Where's Waldo?2019 · as Wizard Nightingale (voice)
• Good Girls2018 · as Ruby Hill
• Big Mouth2017 · as Duke's Mother (voice)
• DuckTales2017 · as Harp (voice)
• DuckTales2017 · as Mystical Harp (voice)
• Carpool Karaoke: The Series2017 · as Self
• The $100,000 Pyramid2016 · as Self - Guest
• Match Game2016 · as Self - Panelist
• To Tell the Truth2016 · as Self - Panelist
• Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce2014 · as Barbara
• Celebrity Name Game2014 · as Self
• Late Night with Seth Meyers2014 · as Self
• Hollywood Game Night2013 · as Self
• Drunk History2013 · as Sylvia Robinson
• Key & Peele2012 · as Woman
• Critics' Choice Television Awards2011 · as Self - Host
• Bubble Guppies2011 · as General Yuck (voice)
• Bob's Burgers2011 · as Animal Control Officer (voice)
• Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen2009 · as Self - Guest
• Parks and Recreation2009 · as Donna Meagle
• Lipshitz Saves the World2007 · as Virginia
• Freddie2005 · as Joan
• It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia2005 · as Hardware Store Clerk
• Jimmy Kimmel Live!2003 · as Heckler
• Comedy Central Presents1998 · as Self
• Moesha1996
• LIVE with Kelly and Mark1988 · as Self - Guest