Kulap Vilaysack
Kulap Tukta Vilaysack (/ˈkuːlɑːp vɪˈlaɪsɑːk/ KOO-lahp vi-LY-sahk; born May 11, 1980) is an American actress, comedian, and writer. She was the co-host of the Who Charted? podcast on the Earwolf network from 2010 until 2018.
Kulap Vilaysack | |
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Kulap Vilaysack in 2015. | |
Born | Kulap Tukta Vilaysack May 11, 1980[1] Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Occupation | Actress, comedian, writer, podcast host |
Years active | 2002–present |
Spouse(s) | |
Parent(s) | Inhpeng and Bouaphet (née Sanavongsai)[2] |
Website | http://kulapvilaysack.com/ |
Early life
Vilaysack was born in Washington, D.C. after her Laotian parents arrived from a refugee camp in Thailand. Her family soon moved to the Twin Cities, settling in the suburb of Eagan, Minnesota.[3] She has two younger sisters, Anita and Alyssa.[4]
After graduating from high school, Vilaysack moved to Los Angeles where she attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and received an associate's degree. She later took classes and performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles.[2] She was also a producer of the Los Angeles/Silverlake-based alternative comedy variety show, "Garage Comedy".[5]
Career
Vilaysack's acting work includes a recurring role as "Nurse Kulap" on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital. Other television guest appearances include Bob's Burgers, The Office, The Sarah Silverman Program, The Hotwives of Orlando, Parks and Recreation, Happy Endings, Reno 911! and Whitney. In 2007, she briefly worked as an associate producer on America's Got Talent.
With comedian Howard Kremer, she co-hosted the podcast Who Charted? on the Earwolf network from 2010 to 2018.[6]
Vilaysack is the creator and showrunner of the reality show spoof Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, her first time working in this capacity.[7] The show premiered in early 2016 as part of the launch of NBC's streaming platform Seeso. Other executive producers on the project include Scott Aukerman, Robert Ben Garant, and Thomas Lennon.[8]
Personal life
Vilaysack married comedian Scott Aukerman in 2008.[9]
She directed a documentary about her family tree entitled Origin Story which premiered on Amazon on May 10, 2019.[10][11] The film incorporates the character Katharsis of The Movement, a superhero based on Vilaysack created by author Gail Simone.[12]
Other
Vilaysack and comedian June Diane Raphael are the founders and directors of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (UCB)-associated "UCB Corps" community, a volunteer charity organization. Vilaysack and Raphael organize charity events and projects to help improve the community, with the help of volunteers and other UCB performers "who want to make our world a better place".[13]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Run Ronnie Run | Gay Female Military Type #2 | Uncredited |
2009 | Spooner | Asian Corporate | |
I Love You, Man | Zooey's Friend | ||
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard | Blowout Customer #2 | Uncredited | |
2010 | Peep World | Lily | |
2014 | Welcome to Me | Grace Dao | |
2018 | Origin Story | Herself | Documentary; also director and producer |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004–2005 | Asia Street Comedy | Various characters | 3 episodes |
2006 | Fire Guys | Hot Pi | Episode #1.3 |
The Office | Nikki | Episode: "A Benihana Christmas" | |
2007 | The Very Funny Show | Various / Ian's Date | 2 episodes |
The Right Now! Show | Various | TV movie | |
2008–2012 | Childrens Hospital | Nurse Kulap / Nurse Sandy / Kulap | 8 episodes |
2008 | The McCaingels | Tze Lan O'Reilly | Series regular |
Downer's Grove | Jane | Episode: "Independent Brett" | |
Brothers & Sisters | Gail | 2 episodes | |
2009 | American Contestant with Bob Odenkirk | TV series short | |
Reno 911! | Stewardess 1 | Episode: "Extradition to Thailand" | |
Single Dads | Molly | Episode: "Brian Gets a Girlfriend" | |
The New Adventures of Old Christine | Nurse | Episode: "The Mole" | |
Secret Girlfriend | Ling | Episode: "You Get a New Girlfriend" | |
2010 | The Sarah Silverman Program | Carly | Episode: "A Fairly Attractive Mind" |
The Wanda Sykes Show | Staffer #2 | Episode #1.18 | |
$#*! My Dad Says | Woman | Episode: "Make a Wish" | |
2011 | Traffic Light | Bartender | 2 episodes |
Whitney | Waitress | Episode: "Two Broke-Up Guys" | |
2012 | Happy Endings | Nicole | Episode: "To Serb with Love" |
Parks and Recreation | Ulani | Episode: "Ben's Parents" | |
2012–2018 | Bob's Burgers | Rupa / Farrah (voice) | 2 episodes |
2013–2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Various | 6 episodes |
2013 | Tiny Commando | Translator Aide | 2 episodes |
Married Single Divorced Show | Herself | Episode: "Sacking Up with Kulap Vilaysack" | |
2014 | The Hotwives of Orlando | Carmelotta | 2 episodes |
Rubberhead | Girl 3 (segment "Lisa") | TV movie | |
BoJack Horseman | Film Crew Assistant (voice) | Episode: "One Trick Pony" | |
Garfunkel and Oates | Laura | Episode: "Road Warriors" | |
2016–2017 | Love | Rebecca | 3 episodes |
2016–2019 | Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Cassandra | 2 episodes Also creator, executive producer, writer, director |
2016–2018 | Take My Wife | Danielle | 4 episodes |
2017 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Nightmare | Episode: "Crime & Punishment" |
Ghosted | Julia | Episode: "Pilot" | |
2017–2019 | I'm Sorry | Corinne | 2 episodes |
References
- Kulap Vilaysack on IMDb
- (February 24, 2010). Kulap Vilaysack blooms in Hollywood. Lao American Magazine
- "Actress Traces Family Roots to Find Her Own 'Origin Story'". NBC News. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- Weiner, Cydney. "Actress Traces Family Roots to Find Her Own 'Origin Story'". NBC News. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- "Discussing the Future Of Talk With Scott Aukerman". Men's Journal. June 5, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- "This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Howard Kremer Goes Solo". Splitsider. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- Porch, Scott (May 26, 2017). "Young Comic TV Showrunners from Left Field". New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
- Radio, Southern California Public (April 5, 2016). "Comedic couple Kulap Vilaysack and Scott Aukerman partner up for 'Bajillion Dollar Propertie$'". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- Russian, Ale. "Kulap Vilaysack on Finding Her Roots in Laos". TIME.com. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- "'Origin Story' Filmmaker Kulap Vilaysack Brings Lao Culture to Hollywood Hills". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ""Bajillion Dollar Properties" Creator Kulap Vilaysack Wants To Be the Asian Shonda Rhimes". Fast Company. June 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- "Origin Story: A Documentary". Originstorydoc.com. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- "The UCB Community Cares". Ucbcorps.tumblr.com. Retrieved December 29, 2016.