Maya Rudolph Is Comedy’s Secret Cameo Weapon

It’s no secret that Maya Rudolph is a very, very funny lady. The actress has been cracking us up since her Saturday Night Live years (“Bronx Beat“, anyone?) and has soared through a successful film and television career since. While she’s definitely delivered crazy-good performances in comedies like Bridesmaids, Grown Ups, Sisters, and more, the magic of Maya lies in her stealthy stints on television shows and in movies. Even in the smallest of roles, she manages to sneak in, elicit an abundance of laughter, and sneak back out. She’s a scene-stealer, but she never hijacks a show – she simply steers for a brief period of time and then bids us farewell, leaving the title better than she found it. These past few years have been particularly great for random Rudolph appearances – and this treat of a trick she stores up her sleeve is about to get even better.

In just a three year span, Rudolph has made appearances on Portlandia, The Grinder, Angie Tribeca, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Documentary Now!, Nobodies, and more. There’s something about her willingness to do just about anything – whether it be wildly zany or darkly deadpan – that makes her an asset to whatever situation she is thrown into. Rudolph can play a characterized version of herself or a completely ridiculous role and somehow manage to make it compelling. Anyone else as “Anita” on Portlandia would be totally forgettable – but not Rudolph. She metaphorically grabs the mic from Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen during “Banana Daquiri“, and with her exaggerated vocals and head bobs, she gifts us with an uproarious, memorable performance that evidently upstages the scene’s stars.

As eccentric romance novelist Jackie Wilder on Angie Tribeca, she completely leans into the hyper-dramatic nature of the show, leaving no prisoners as she uses her vocal range and physicality (and those eyes, THOSE EYES!) to marinate in the ridiculous melodrama. The few-episode stints she rides on The Grinder and Brooklyn Nine-Nine utilize her similarly; all she needs is a few minutes on screen as a U.S. Marshal or a therapist, and the episode’s in the bag. Who cares what else is going on? Maya’s made an entrance (and a lasting impression), and that’s all we’re probably going to remember from this anyway. Her bits in A Very Murray Christmas and Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special are a showcase for both her vocal talents and her insanely compelling stage presence; this lady can make me laugh and she can sing? Sign me up.

Most recently, Rudolph’s turn as one-episode wonder Dionne Warwick on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt completely brought the house down. Warwick’s name is mentioned over and over throughout the season while Titus avoids explaining why exactly he washed up from his cruise ship gig, and the reveal that Rudolph is the one playing the iconic singer could not have been better executed. The hilariously ostentatious getup – cheesy wig, dramatic gown, and spot-on vocal impression to boot – could not be a better vehicle for Rudolph’s talents. Watching her eat “baby corns” with Titus is a highlight of the entire series – and she’s only in it for one episode.

HBO‘s Tour De Pharmacy is also finally here to gift us with more Maya moments; even in her brief appearance in the trailer, her mastery of satire (and completely convincing performance) proves what a perfect addition she is to any project. Rudolph has truly earned her spot among the ranks of the funniest people working today – and many of the moments that have put her there have been incredibly fleeting. It’s just a testament to how great she is; the funny lady needs only a few seconds to let you know what comedy gold she’s capable of.

The moral of the story? If your comedy is feeling lackluster, just give Maya Rudolph a call. It’s likely that whatever struggle you’re currently enduring will be vastly improved by her appearance, even if she can only slip in for a stealthy sixty seconds. She’s our secret weapon, remember?