Cheri Oteri — Biography
Cheryl Ann Oteri is an American actress and comedian, recognized for her work in sketch comedy. She earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and is primarily celebrated for her five seasons as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live, from 1995 to 2000. Before finding her comedic footing on national television, Oteri relocated to Los Angeles at age 25. For four years, she was employed by A&M Records before ultimately joining the renowned comedy ensemble, The Groundlings.
Her entry into the SNL universe was somewhat serendipitous. In 1995, SNL producers attended a Groundlings performance with the initial intention of scouting fellow troupe member Chris Kattan. During a costume change for Kattan, Oteri delivered a monologue that so impressed the producers that she was subsequently invited to audition for Saturday Night Live. This led to her being hired in September 1995, joining Kattan and fellow Groundling Will Ferrell. She was part of a largely revamped cast introduced after a particularly challenging 1994-1995 season for the show.
On SNL, Oteri showcased her talent for impersonations, notably embodying figures such as Alanis Morissette, Barbara Walters, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, Marla Maples, Debbie Reynolds, Jennifer Lopez, Ross Perot, Jennifer Tilly, Kelli Williams, Paula Jones, Tori Spelling, Melanie Chisholm, Robin Byrd, Jessica McClure, Jessica Simpson, Fran Drescher, Marisa Tomei, and Katie Couric.
Beyond her sketch comedy work, Oteri has appeared in a variety of films, including Scary Movie, Inspector Gadget, Liar Liar, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Shrek the Third, and Southland Tales. She also starred in two television pilots that did not proceed to series: Loomis and With You in Spirit. Her guest television credits include appearances on Just Shoot Me!, Strangers with Candy, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she played Martine, an emotionally volatile nanny.
In 2009, Oteri lent her voice to the animated Fox comedy series Sit Down, Shut Up, becoming a regular cast member. She portrayed Helen Klench, an overlooked librarian frequently mistaken for inanimate objects like brooms or toilet brushes. The series debuted in April 2009 on Fox and later transitioned to Comedy Central in May 2010. Oteri also took on the role of a tooth fairy on Imagination Movers, a show featured on the Playhouse Disney programming block. In 2010, she starred in the AMC web series Liza Life Coach. Later that year, Oteri appeared in the pilot episode of Glory Daze, which premiered on TBS in November.
Her hosting duties have included AXS TV's Gotham Comedy Live on May 26, 2016, in New York
Her entry into the SNL universe was somewhat serendipitous. In 1995, SNL producers attended a Groundlings performance with the initial intention of scouting fellow troupe member Chris Kattan. During a costume change for Kattan, Oteri delivered a monologue that so impressed the producers that she was subsequently invited to audition for Saturday Night Live. This led to her being hired in September 1995, joining Kattan and fellow Groundling Will Ferrell. She was part of a largely revamped cast introduced after a particularly challenging 1994-1995 season for the show.
On SNL, Oteri showcased her talent for impersonations, notably embodying figures such as Alanis Morissette, Barbara Walters, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, Marla Maples, Debbie Reynolds, Jennifer Lopez, Ross Perot, Jennifer Tilly, Kelli Williams, Paula Jones, Tori Spelling, Melanie Chisholm, Robin Byrd, Jessica McClure, Jessica Simpson, Fran Drescher, Marisa Tomei, and Katie Couric.
Beyond her sketch comedy work, Oteri has appeared in a variety of films, including Scary Movie, Inspector Gadget, Liar Liar, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Shrek the Third, and Southland Tales. She also starred in two television pilots that did not proceed to series: Loomis and With You in Spirit. Her guest television credits include appearances on Just Shoot Me!, Strangers with Candy, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, where she played Martine, an emotionally volatile nanny.
In 2009, Oteri lent her voice to the animated Fox comedy series Sit Down, Shut Up, becoming a regular cast member. She portrayed Helen Klench, an overlooked librarian frequently mistaken for inanimate objects like brooms or toilet brushes. The series debuted in April 2009 on Fox and later transitioned to Comedy Central in May 2010. Oteri also took on the role of a tooth fairy on Imagination Movers, a show featured on the Playhouse Disney programming block. In 2010, she starred in the AMC web series Liza Life Coach. Later that year, Oteri appeared in the pilot episode of Glory Daze, which premiered on TBS in November.
Her hosting duties have included AXS TV's Gotham Comedy Live on May 26, 2016, in New York
