15 Comedic Talents Who Got Their Start At UCB

It's no secret that Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer—the stars of the new series Broad City—are regulars at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC. So in honor of the ladies’ Comedy Central debut at 10:30/9:30c on January 22, we decided to take a look back at some now-famous faces who have graced the UCB stage.

1. Amy Poehler

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Before executive producing Broad City and her Golden-Globe-hosting (and winning) days, Poehler founded the Upright Citizens Brigade with Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh.

2. Jordan Peele

Comedy Central

Peele got his start at Chicago’s ImprovOlympic, but has performed at UCB with his duo Two White Guys. His sketch show Key & Peele with Keegan-Michael Key recently got renewed for a fourth season.

3. Nick Kroll

Comedy Central

Now the star and creator of Kroll Show, Nick Kroll was a student at UCB in New York and has hosted numerous stand-up shows there.

4. John Mulaney

Comedy Central

In addition to his Comedy Central special New in Town, Mulaney is a regular on Kroll Show as George St. Geegland, half of the duo behind "Oh, Hello." He has performed his material at a variety of UCB stand-up shows.

5. Jenny Slate

Comedy Central

Slate starred in her one-woman show, “Dead Millionaire,” at UCB in New York and now appears regularly as Liz B. (among others) on Kroll Show.

6. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer

Comedy Central

Abbi and Ilana both became students at UCB in New York in 2006. While they pursued projects apart, they came together for their web series Broad City, which was adapted into a Comedy Central show premiering January 22 at 10:30/9:30c.

7. Andy Daly

Comedy Central

Daly was one of the first people to enroll in UCB classes in New York and served as a cast member on "ASSSSCAT." His Comedy Central show Review premieres this Spring.

8. Jon Daly

Comedy Central

Daly has been affiliated with UCB for over a decade, including his membership in the improv group Mother. He’s now a regular on Kroll Show.

9. Jason Mantzoukas

Comedy Central

Like Jon Daly, Mantzoukas also made his way as a member of the UCB house team Mother before moving on to roles in TV — including Eagle Wing in the upcoming season of Kroll Show.

10. Wyatt Cenac

Comedy Central

A prolific stand-up before becoming a correspondent on The Daily Show, Cenac performed at UCB shows including Comedy Death Ray and The Doo Doo Show.

11. Derek Waters

Comedy Central

The mind behind Drunk History also devised Derek and Simon: The Show, a half-hour production featuring live and video sketches.

12. Jerry Minor

Comedy Central

He’s currently the voice of Brickleberry’s Denzel Jackson, but Minor is a UCB vet who has appeared in the infamous "ASSSSCAT" show.

13. Jessica Williams

Comedy Central

Currently a correspondent on The Daily Show, Williams performed at ComedySportz and UCB in Los Angeles before moving to New York.

14. Chris Gethard

Comedy Central

Although he’ll soon be known as Ilana’s boss Derek in Broad City, Gethard has made a name for himself teaching and performing at UCB in New York. His show The Chris Gethard Show even began as a monthly stage production there.

15. John Gemberling

Comedy Central

His turn as Matt Bevers, Abbi’s roommate’s boyfriend, is only Gemberling’s latest. His improv group Death by Roo Roo is a fixture on the UCB stage.