Jackie Hoffman

Jackie Hoffman (born Jacqueline Laura Hoffman on November 29, 1960) is an American actress, singer, and comedian whose career has spanned three decades of stage, film, and television work. A native of Queens, New York, she first gained recognition as a veteran of Chicago’s famed The Second City improv troupe, where she earned a Joseph Jefferson Award during an eight‑year tenure. Hoffman’s one‑woman shows, such as If You Call This Living, The Kvetching Continues, and Jackie Hoffman's Hanukkah, showcase her talent for weaving Jewish‑themed original songs with mordant monologues, establishing her as a distinctive voice in comedy. Her Broadway résumé includes memorable turns in the original cast of Hairspray (2002), the rock musical Xanadu (2007‑2008), and the role of Grandmama in The Addams Family (2010‑2011), for which she won the 2003 Theatre World Award and a Jeff Award for One Woman Shoe. On television, Hoffman has appeared in cult favorites such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, while her film credits include Garden State, Legally Blonde 2, and a cameo in the Oscar‑winning Birdman. In 2017 she earned critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for her supporting role as Mamacita in the FX miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan, demonstrating her ability to blend humor with dramatic depth. More recently, she has become a recurring presence on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building as the sharp‑tongued neighbor Uma Heller and portrayed Assistant Principal McGee in Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Off‑stage, Hoffman is married to jazz trumpeter Steve Smyth and remains an active performer at venues like Joe’s Pub, where her live concerts continue to blend music, storytelling, and satire.