Tina Fey, born as Elizabeth Stamatina Fey on May 18, 1970, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She attended the University of Virginia where she studied playwriting and acting and graduated in 1992. Fey's early professional journey began at The Second City, a renowned improvisational theater troupe based in Chicago, where she honed her comedic skills. Later, she joined the writing team of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1997 and became the first female head writer in 1999. Fey's tenure at SNL was instrumental in shaping her career. It was during this period that she created the character of Sarah Palin during the 2008 Presidential Election which garnered national attention. In 2004, Fey expanded her portfolio by writing and co-starring in the comedy film Mean Girls. The film was a box office success and has since become a pop-culture phenomenon. In 2006, Fey left SNL to develop the television series 30 Rock for NBC, a satirical sitcom based on her experiences at SNL. Serving as the show's creator, writer, and lead actress, Fey received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including multiple Emmys, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Fey also co-created the Netflix comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, further solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the television industry.