Table of Biography
Retta is an American TV Actress and Comedian. Retta is popular for her role as Donna Meagle on the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation”. Likewise, she has appeared in other series such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Drunk History as well.
Early Life and Education
Retta was born on April 12, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, USA. She is 53 years old and is under the astrological sign, Aries. She holds American nationality her real name is Marietta Sangai Sirleaf and she is of Liberian ancestry.
Her father’s name is George Sirleaf and her mother’s name is Deborah Sirleaf. Her parents immigrated to New Jersey from Liberia the year before she was born. However, information regarding her other family members such as her siblings, cousins, grandparents, and relatives has not been available until now.
Moreover, she grew up around New Jersey, specifically in Edison and Cliffwood Beach. She was raised as a member of the New Apostolic Church.
And, when she was able to compete in her first TV comedy contest, members from all over the world the New Apostolic Church voted for her. Also, in that contest, she mentioned her faith and spiritual upbringing. Also, she has an aunt who is the president of Liberia and her name is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Regarding Retta’s educational background and qualifications, she graduated from Matawan Regional High School in Aberdeen Township, New Jersey. Then, in the year 1992, she went on to graduate from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where she was pre-med and graduated with a degree in sociology.
Caption: Retta along with her friends (Source: TooFab)
Career and Professional Life
Retta went on to work as a chemist after graduating from Duke University. She even did stand-up at Charlie Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, North Carolina, in her spare time.
Then, she moved to Los Angeles so that she could pursue a comedy career. She began doing standup in the year 1996. But she only started earning money in the year 1998, when she began touring on the college circuit. Likewise, she has even been able to serve as the opening act for such comedians as Shirley Hemphill and Bobby Collins.
Retta was able to make television appearances on Bravo’s Welcome to the Parker, E! Entertainment Television’s The Soup, Freddie, Moesha, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the “Comedy Divas Showcase” segment of The Jenny Jones Show, Retta has performed on Premium Blend, and a Comedy Central show featuring up-and-coming comedians as well.
It was the year 2009 when she began making regular guest appearances on the NBC comedy series “Parks and Recreation”. She starred as the character of Donna choired more personality and funnier jokes to Donna and other minor characters. Finally, in the third season, Retta was upgraded to a full-time regular cast member.
Moreover, she even was able to host the 3rd Critics’ Choice Television Awards in the year 2013. Then, a year later, she was able to appear on Hollywood Game Night as a contestant along with many other celebrities.
Likewise, she was one of the audiobook narrators for “Welcome to Night Vale” in the year 2015. It is a novel tie-in to the eponymous podcast series in which she is the voice of Old Woman Josie. Also, in that year, she was able to feature in season 2 of Bravo’s Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.
Retta was able to co-star in the NBC series, “Good Girls”, opposite Christina Hendricks and Mae Whitman in the year 2018. She even was able to publish a series of essays in a book, “So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all Don’t Even Know”.
In the book, she talks about her journey with weight loss along with her “bestie” and the joys and adventures of being in the “Hollywood Scene!”. In the year 2022, she went on to sign a talent-holding deal with NBCUniversal. She hosted HGTV’s Ugliest House in America seasons 1, 2, and 3 as well.
Caption: Retta acting in the movie (Source: Showbiz Cheat Sheet)
Relationship Status
Retta seems to be single at the moment. Or she could be in a relationship but has only kept it a secret and away from the public and the media.
However, she once said that she dated a man from Georgia. He was the one who nicknamed her Retta because her name Marietta sounded like where he came from. Other than this, little to no information about her love life has come forward until now.
Retta – Body Measurements
Retta has a height of 5 feet 8 inches and her weight is 95 Kg. Her other body measurements such as her chest size, waist size, and hip size, are 43-31-45 inches respectively. Moreover, she has dark brown eyes and black hair.
Caption: Retta posing for a picture (Source: Backstage)
Social Media
Retta is pretty active on all of her social accounts. She handles her Instagram account under the name “unforettable” and has 740K followers on it. Likewise, she also has Facebook and Twitter accounts and has garnered 81K and 782.6K followers respectively.
Retta – Net Worth 2024
As perCelebritynetworthh, Retta has a net worth of $3 million and his main income source seems to be her acting and comedic career.