Actress/comedian, Maya Rudolph is best known for her role in NBC’s late-night sketch-comedy series, Saturday Night Live (SNL).  Rudolph made her first appearance on the show in 2000, and quickly became a popular member of the case.  During her time on the show, Rudolph performed as many characters including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Gayle King.  Rudolph her is the daughter of R&B singer, Minnie Riperton, often put her own musical talents to use while portraying characters on the show.  Rudolph made her last appearance as a regular cast member in 2007 before leaving the show to focus on other things.  She has since shared that working on SNL was often extremely time-consuming even though the show only aired once a week.  She stated: “You’re there sometimes on Tuesday nights until 6 or 8 in the morning. You’re exhausted, you’re loopy … and you’ve had three shows in a row, and you haven’t done any of your laundry, and you have no food in the fridge. It’s really difficult to be there for anyone else in your life when you’re doing the show because of the hours it demands.” However, since leaving the show, Rudolph has continued to make people laugh, and she continues to be a presence in both film and television productions.  Here are five quotes from Maya Rudolph that will make you smile.

5. “I feel I’ve definitely become more of a woman because of my job…that, and turning thirty.”

Like many people, Maya Rudolph believes that her career has forced her to look at herself as more of an adult. However, nothing can make a person feel older like actually getting older.

4. “I don’t look my best when I wake up. But, I do feel beautiful when I’m tired and happy and I’ve had a good laugh and a glass of champagne.”

Unlike Beyoncé, who claims to wake up “like this (flawless),” every single day, Rudolph believes that she doesn’t always look her best in the morning.  However, she has found several things that make her feel beautiful, and help her find peace of mind after dealing with the stress of a hectic life.

3. “Most of my life I didn’t feel very normal. There’s definitely been some moments where I feel like, all right, I’ve finally graduated and I’m a normal lady.”

Rudolph lost her mother, the legendary R&B singer, Minnie Riperton, when she was just a child.  Rudolph has stated that losing her mother at such a young age often made her feel like she was different from the other children that she grew up with.  Rudolph, whose mother was black and whose father is white, has also shared that being biracial contributed to her feeling different as a child, However, as an adult, Rudolph feels that she has finally found her place in the world.

2. “I’m still not used to people recognizing me from the show and then having a conversation with me. People approach “comedy people” very differently than a major film star or respected thespian from stage and screen. They come up to me in a very weird way and it takes me a minute and then I’m like, “Oh, you’re being funny…I had this guy come up to me in the Container Store in New York and he was like, [in a thick New York accent] “You’re on Saturday Night Live. What’s your name?” “Maya Rudolph.” “OK. I’ve seen you, you’re funny.” “Thank you.” “But the show’s not as funny as it used to be.” Everybody who feels this way has the same little speech they give you. [Again as the guy] “I thought the show went downhill when Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri left.” “OK, they’re great.” “I don’t think any of the women are as funny as Cheri.” Come on, man. I don’t come down to your…job and tell you how bad you are. “You’re a good attorney, but you’re not as good as the other guy before you, and your firm is dying a slow death because that other guy was way better.”

Nobody likes to be insulted, especially not by random people on the street. Unfortunately, living in the public eye often has this downfalls as Rudolph expresses in this story about an interaction with a ‘fan.’  However, Rudolph feels that her interactions with people differ greatly because she is a comedian and not “a major film star.” But in true comedic fashion, Rudolph is able to make light of her most annoying encounters.

1. “If there’s ice cream present, ordering is a no brainer. I think all of us need to have ice cream whenever possible. My go-to is mint chip.”

No one (except for lactose intolerant people) can argue here.  Ice cream can often brighten even the darkest days, and can even give people something small to look forward to.

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)