Alia Martine Shawkat is a prominent American actress, singer, and painter. She is best known for playing the character Maeby Fünke in the popular Fox/Netflix television sitcom Arrested Development from 2003-2006 and 2013-2019. Her performance in the series was often highlighted and praised. Shawkat also played a significant role in the TBS and HBO Max dark comedy series Search Party from its premiere in 2016 to its conclusion in 2022. She was recognized for guest-starring as various historical figures such as Frances Cleveland, Virginia Hall, and Alexander Hamilton on Comedy Central's Drunk History. Additionally, Shawkat's career included the roles in State of Grace, The Old Man, and horror-comedy The Final Girls released in 2015.

On the non-acting front, Shawkat is also known for indulging in creative pursuits such as singing, drawing, and painting. As a singer, she enjoys crooning jazz standards in jazz bars, a skill set passed on by her grandfather. Shawkat was even inclined towards learning welding with the goal of creating metal sculptures. She believes that these different forms of art intersect and nourish each other which inspires her to try her hand at various artistic mediums. Also, Shawkat is openly bisexual. In 2023, she gave birth to her son.