Sasheer Zamata

Sasheer Zamata Moore (born May 6, 1986) is an American actress and stand‑up comedian whose career has spanned over a decade and a half, beginning in 2005. Raised in Indianapolis after being born in Okinawa, Japan, she is the daughter of Ivory Steward and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Moore, a military family whose background inspired her unique name drawn from a Star Trek crystal. Zamata earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where she co‑founded the long‑form improv troupe Amuse Bouche and participated in the Disney College Program, experiences that honed her performance skills. After moving to New York, she became a regular at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, appearing in web series, sketch shows, and viral YouTube impersonations of figures like Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, which built a devoted online following. In 2014 she broke new ground by joining the cast of Saturday Night Live as the first Black female cast member since Maya Rudolph, delivering memorable characters such as Janelle and Keeley and impersonating pop culture icons with sharp satire. Her tenure on SNL lasted until 2017, after which she expanded into film and television, starring in movies like I Feel Pretty (2018) and voicing roles in The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021). From 2020 to 2023 Zamata headlined the series Woke and Home Economics, and in 2023 she debuted as Jennifer Kale in the Disney+ Marvel series Agatha All Along, cementing her presence in mainstream streaming. Beyond acting, she has produced two stand‑up specials (Pizza Mind and The First Woman), co‑hosted the Best Friends podcast, and served as an ACLU celebrity ambassador, advocating for gender and racial equity. In 2024 she publicly came out as a lesbian, adding another layer to her role as a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Throughout her career, Zamata’s blend of comedic talent, cultural commentary, and activist spirit has made her a distinctive voice in contemporary entertainment.