# Briga Heelan

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American actress and comedian

Briga Heelan Born Andover, Massachusetts, U.S. Alma mater University of Southern California Occupations Actress, comedian Years active 2009–present Spouse Rene Gube ​ (m. 2015)​ Children 2

**Briga Heelan** (pronunciation [/ˈbriːɡɑː/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*BREE-gah*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key))[1] is an American actress and comedian. She is known for her work on the sitcoms *[Cougar Town](/source/Cougar_Town)*, *[Ground Floor](/source/Ground_Floor)*, *[Undateable](/source/Undateable)*, *[Love](/source/Love_(TV_series))*, *[Great News](/source/Great_News)*, and *[B Positive](/source/B_Positive)*.

## Early life and education

Heelan was born in [Andover, Massachusetts](/source/Andover%2C_Massachusetts),[2] the daughter of actress and [Lowell Public Schools](/source/Lowell_Public_Schools) teacher Kimball Heelan and [playwright](/source/Playwright) Kevin Heelan.[1][3] She has a brother named Conor.[3] Heelan's father, as well as being a [dramatist](/source/Dramatist), has been a [faculty member](/source/Faculty_member) at [Phillips Andover Academy](/source/Phillips_Andover_Academy) since 1983.[4]

Heelan attended [Walnut Hill School for the Arts](/source/Walnut_Hill_School) and studied for a year at the [Cincinnati Conservatory of Music](/source/University_of_Cincinnati_%E2%80%93_College-Conservatory_of_Music), before transferring to the [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California).[1] She graduated with a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree in 2009.[5] At graduation, Heelan received the James B. Pendleton Award for outstanding contributions to the [USC School of Dramatic Arts](/source/USC_School_of_Dramatic_Arts).[6]

## Career

Heelan intended to focus on [musical theatre](/source/Musical_theatre).[7] She met her *[Ground Floor](/source/Ground_Floor)* co-star, [Skylar Astin](/source/Skylar_Astin), at a musical theatre convention.[7]

Heelan's break-out TV role was on *[Cougar Town](/source/Cougar_Town).*[8] She was credited as a [recurring character](/source/Recurring_character) on *[Undateable](/source/Undateable)*, appearing in three episodes plus the [pilot](/source/Television_pilot). She was able to shoot both [Bill Lawrence](/source/Bill_Lawrence_(TV_producer))-helmed *[Ground Floor](/source/Ground_Floor)* and *[Undateable](/source/Undateable)* simultaneously[9] because both comedies are [multi-camera](/source/Multiple-camera_setup), which require fewer production days than single-camera shows.[10] She also guest starred in the first episode of Season 10 of *[Curb Your Enthusiasm](/source/Curb_Your_Enthusiasm)*.

Regarding Heelan's role in *Ground Floor*, TV critic [Alan Sepinwall](/source/Alan_Sepinwall) said Heelan is "simply terrific as Jenny: warm and quirky while always feeling like a strong and independent character".[11][12] The *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* said Heelan "makes *Ground Floor* watchable", describing her as "remarkably alive and in the moment; she makes real all that she touches. I could easily recommend tuning in just to watch her work – and hereby do."[13]

On May 13, 2023, Heelan made her Broadway debut as Cinderella in *[Once Upon a One More Time](/source/Once_Upon_a_One_More_Time)* at the [Marquis Theatre](/source/Marquis_Theatre). She had previously portrayed the same role in the 2021 world premiere run in Washington, D.C.[14]

## Personal life

On her unusual name, she said, "It's an Irish name. In fact, my last name was O'Heelahan back in the day. And Briga, I read somewhere, is some pagan [Celtic goddess](/source/Celtic_goddess), which sounds great, so I really like saying that. But I was named after my grandmother's best friend, who was Irish and came from [Dublin](/source/Dublin)."[1]

On October 16, 2014, Heelan became engaged to her *[Ground Floor](/source/Ground_Floor)* co-star [Rene Gube](/source/Rene_Gube).[15] They were married on May 8, 2015.[16][17] On October 31, 2016, they announced they were expecting their first child, a daughter, due in March 2017. Heelan gave birth to their daughter Bennet Alejandra Gube on March 23, 2017.[18] On June 24, 2024, Heelan announced they were expecting their second child.[19] Heelan gave birth to their second daughter, Lily Lourdes Gube, on November 25th, 2024[20].

## Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 2011 Man Up! Money Episode: "Disciplining the Keens" 2012 Jane by Design Amanda Clark 5 episodes Cougar Town Holly 7 episodes 2013 Happy Endings Ryan Episode: "The Ex Factor" 2013–2015 Ground Floor Jenny Miller Main role (20 episodes) 2014–2015 Undateable Nicki 7 episodes 2015 Truth Be Told Katherine/Kiki Episode: "Guess Who's Coming to Decorate" 2016 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Connie Cavanaugh Episode: "That Text Was Not Meant for Josh!" 2016–2017 Love Heidi 6 episodes 2017–2018 Great News Katie Wendelson Lead role 2019 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Keri Brennan Episode: "He Said, She Said" Modern Family Linda Episode: "Stand by Your Man" 2020 Curb Your Enthusiasm Valerie Ashburn Episode: "Happy New Year" 2020–2021 B Positive Samantha Turner Recurring; 14 episodes 2022 Bob Hearts Abishola Marion Mitchell Episode: "Compress to Impress" 2023 So Help Me Todd Amy Episode: "12 Worried Persons"

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Improper-GroundUp-2014_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Improper-GroundUp-2014_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Improper-GroundUp-2014_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Improper-GroundUp-2014_1-3) Soroff, Jonathan (May 2014). ["Briga Heelan - From the Ground Up"](http://www.improper.com/features/briga-heelan-from-the-ground-up/). *[The Improper Bostonian](/source/The_Improper_Bostonian)*. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ProspectTheater-2014_2-0)** ["Meet the Cast – Part 3. Name: Briga Heelan"](http://prospecttheater.wordpress.com/). *Prospect Theater Company's Weblog*. October 14, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Phillips-Andover-KevinHeelan_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Phillips-Andover-KevinHeelan_3-1) ["Kevin Heelan: Instructor of Playwriting, Acting and Directing"](http://www.andover.edu/Academics/TheatreDance/Faculty/Pages/Kevin-Heelan.aspx). *[Phillips Academy Andover](/source/Phillips_Academy_Andover)*. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AndoverBulletin-KevinWheelan-91-93_4-0)** Britton, Sharon (Fall 1997). ["Kevin Wheelan: Bring On the Ghosts"](https://archive.org/stream/andoverbulletin9193phil). *Andover Bulletin*. Phillips Academy. pp. 14–15. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Robert Redford Honored at Inaugural Gala Fundraiser"](https://issuu.com/uscedu/docs/callboard_spring10). *Callboard*. Los Angeles, CA: USC School of Theater. Spring 2010. p. 1 – via [Issuu](/source/Issuu).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["2008-09 Award Recipients"](https://issuu.com/uscedu/docs/callboard_09fall). *Callboard*. Los Angeles, CA: USC School of Theater. Fall 2009. p. 6 – via [Issuu](/source/Issuu).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TVLine-8Things-2013_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TVLine-8Things-2013_7-1) Mitovich, Matt Webb (November 14, 2013). ["Ground Floor's Briga Heelan: 8 Things to Know About the TBS Comedy's Pretty 'Revelation'"](http://tvline.com/2013/11/14/ground-floor-preview-tbs-briga-heelan/). *[TVLine](/source/TVLine)*. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HitFix-Sepinwall-CougarTown-2012_8-0)** Sepinwall, Alan (March 20, 2012). ["Review: 'Cougar Town' - 'Something Big': Who's Your Daddy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120324191249/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/cougar-town-something-big-whos-your-daddy). *[HitFix](/source/HitFix)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/cougar-town-something-big-whos-your-daddy) on March 24, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HitFix-FienPrint-BLawrenceInterview-2014_9-0)** Fienberg, Daniel (May 29, 2014). ["Interview: Bill Lawrence and Adam Sztykiel on 'Undateable' and The State of TV Comedy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125702/http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/interview-bill-lawrence-and-adam-sztykiel-on-undateable-and-the-state-of-tv-comedy/single-page). *[HitFix](/source/HitFix)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/interview-bill-lawrence-and-adam-sztykiel-on-undateable-and-the-state-of-tv-comedy/single-page) on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Deadline-Recurring-2013_10-0)** Andreeva, Nellie (September 5, 2013). ["Briga Heelan Back On NBC Comedy 'Undateable' As Recurring"](https://deadline.com/2013/09/briga-heelan-back-on-nbc-comedy-undateable-as-recurring-579720/). *[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)*. PMC. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HitFix-Sepinwall-GroundFloor-2013_11-0)** Sepinwall, Alan (November 13, 2013). ["Opposites Attract Comedy from Lawrence & Malins a Reminder that Multi-Cam Can Be Fun"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131116050751/http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-tbs-ground-floor-a-retro-comedy-treat). *[HitFix](/source/HitFix)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-tbs-ground-floor-a-retro-comedy-treat) on November 16, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HitFix-Sepinwall-PickedUp-2014_12-0)** Sepinwall, Alan (January 17, 2014). ["Brody Has to Choose Between Mansfield and Jenny; Will the Show Come Back?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140120233509/http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/season-finale-review-ground-floor-the-decision-come-fly-with-me). *[HitFix](/source/HitFix)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/season-finale-review-ground-floor-the-decision-come-fly-with-me) on January 20, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LATimes-GFloor-Watchable-2013_13-0)** Lloyd, Robert (November 14, 2013). ["TV review: Briga Heelan makes 'Ground Floor' watchable"](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-ground-floor-review-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Gans, Andrew (February 16, 2023). ["Briga Heelan, Justin Guarini, and Aisha Jackson Will Star in Broadway's Once Upon a One More Time"](https://playbill.com/article/briga-heelan-justin-guarini-and-aisha-jackson-will-star-in-broadways-once-upon-a-one-more-time). *PLAYBILL*. Retrieved May 14, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Instagram-Engaged-2014_15-0)** Gube, Rene (October 16, 2014). ["renegube: I'm out the game"](https://instagram.com/p/uM5ZalHz0Z/). *[Instagram](/source/Instagram)*. Retrieved January 28, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Instagram-Married-1_16-0)** Heelan, Briga (May 9, 2015). ["brigaheelan: My last morning as an unmarried woman. IM READY!!"](https://instagram.com/p/uM5ZalHz0Z/). *[Instagram](/source/Instagram)*. Retrieved October 26, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Instagram-Married-2_17-0)** Heelan, Briga (May 9, 2015). ["brigaheelan: Was surrounded by love in every way last night..."](https://instagram.com/p/uM5ZalHz0Z/) *[Instagram](/source/Instagram)*. Retrieved October 26, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Briga Heelan and Rene Gube Welcome Daughter Bennet Alejandra"](https://people.com/parents/briga-heelan-rene-gube-welcome-daughter-bennet-alejandra/). *PEOPLE.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Instagram"](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8lDV3tvv1u/?igsh=eGhtNWVsNHM1dDA5). *www.instagram.com*. Retrieved June 26, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Instagram"](https://www.instagram.com/p/DRfguoRDxfU/). *www.instagram.com*. Retrieved December 20, 2025.

## External links

- [Briga Heelan](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3688635/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Briga Heelan](https://www.instagram.com/brigaheelan/) on [Instagram](/source/Instagram_(identifier))

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Briga Heelan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briga_Heelan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briga_Heelan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.