{{Short description|American actress and comedian}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{for multi|the English model and photographer|Pattie Boyd|the American feminist comedian|Patty Harrison}} {{Infobox person | name = Patti Harrison | image = | alt = | caption = Harrison in November 2024 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|10|31}} | birth_place = Orient, Ohio, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|comedian}} | years_active = 2015–present }}
'''Patti Harrison''' (born October 31, 1990) is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her roles in ''Shrill'' (2019–2021), ''I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson'' (2019–2023), and ''Together Together'' (2021). For her role in ''Together Together'', she earned a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
==Early life== Patti Harrison was born in Orient, Ohio, on October 31, 1990,<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DQpzXZGEpew</ref> to a Vietnamese mother and a white American father. She has six older siblings. Her father, who was from Detroit, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and met Harrison's mother when she was a janitor in his barracks.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=Tig>{{cite podcast |title=Patti Harrison |url=https://www.dontasktig.org/episode/2022/02/09/patti-harrison |website=Don't Ask Tig |date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2022}}</ref> He died of a heart attack when Harrison was six years old.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Escandon |first=Rosa |date=February 16, 2019 |title=28-Year-Old Patti Harrison Makes Filthy Jokes With Heart |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rosaescandon/2019/02/16/28-year-old-patti-harrison-makes-filthy-jokes-with-heart/ |website=Forbes |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Read |first=Bridget |date=February 27, 2018 |title=Patti Harrison—Trans Comedian, Beauty Icon—*Sometimes* Washes Her Hair |url=https://www.vogue.com/vogueworld/article/patti-harrison-trans-comedian-activist |website=Vogue |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heidecker |first=Tim |date=April 2, 2019 |title=Comedian Patti Harrison Asks Tim Heidecker for Tips on Allergies and Anxiety |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/patti-harrison-and-tim-heidecker-hulu-shrill |website=Interview Magazine |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> Her first involvement in comedy came from her participation in an improv team during her time at Ohio University, from which she dropped out.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="Syme 2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Syme |first=Rachel |date=February 20, 2022 |title=Patti Harrison Means It (Except When She Doesn't) |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/patti-harrison-means-it-except-when-she-doesnt |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref>
== Career == Harrison moved to New York City to pursue a comedy career in 2015, but later moved to Los Angeles.<ref name=":0" /> She has said that her stand-up comedy style has changed drastically since her early career, as she initially felt anxious about making sex and sexuality jokes due to internalized transphobia stemming from being a trans woman.<ref name=":0" /> In an interview with ''Vogue'', she described her comedic persona: "I'm a nasty, stupid person. That's my voice. I'm an evil, shitty person on stage, in a very conscious way—the evil is punching up."<ref name=":1" />
In 2017, Harrison gained wider prominence for her appearance on ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'', where she made jokes about U.S. President Donald Trump's transgender military service ban. She has appeared in comedy series such as ''High Maintenance'', ''I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson'', ''Broad City'', and ''Search Party'', as well as the film ''A Simple Favor''.<ref name=":0" /> In 2019, she began playing Ruthie in the Hulu comedy series ''Shrill'' after the show's co-creator and star Aidy Bryant contacted her through Instagram and encouraged her to audition.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Dommu |first=Rose |date=March 27, 2019 |title=Patti Harrison on 'Shrill' and the Art of Being Mean |url=https://www.out.com/television/2019/3/27/patti-harrison-shrill-and-art-being-mean |website=Out |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> She later joined the writing team of the animated comedy series ''Big Mouth'' for its fourth season.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hawgood |first=Alex |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Patti Harrison Bucks Transgender Stereotypes, One Joke at a Time |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/style/patti-harrison-trans-actress-comedian.html|work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref>
Harrison was named one of ''Variety'' magazine's "10 Comics to Watch" in 2019.<ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine |last=Reghay |first=Nayomi |date=October 13, 2017 |title=Meet Trans Comedian Making Fart Jokes an Act of Resistance |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/patti-harrison-meet-the-trans-comedian-making-fart-jokes-an-act-of-resistance-196357/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Variety Announces 10 Comics to Watch for 2019 |url=https://variety.com/2019/legit/features/10-comics-to-watch-2019-variety-1203242713/ |website=Variety |date=June 13, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Baritaux |first=Zio |date=October 10, 2017 |title=patti harrison is the trans comic we need desperately right now |url=https://i-d.co/article/patti-harrison-is-the-trans-comic-we-need-desperately-right-now/ |website=Vice<nowiki>:</nowiki> i-D |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> Later that year, she co-hosted Comedy Central's digital series ''Unsend'' with Joel Kim Booster.<ref name=":2" /> She also co-hosts the podcast ''A Woman's Smile'' with River L. Ramirez.<ref name=":0" /> She co-starred in ''Yearly Departed'' (2020) alongside other comedians such as Ziwe Fumudoh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strause |first=Jackie |date=December 30, 2020 |title='Yearly Departed': Rachel Brosnahan on Amazon Female Comedy Special |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/yearly-departed-team-on-pulling-off-something-impossible-with-amazon-female-comedy-special |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> That same year, she began hosting the monthly show ''Died & Gone to Heaven!'' at Largo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Jesse |date=March 6, 2020 |title=Q&A: At the table with comedian Patti Harrison, talking Saltine cereal and the intimacy of boiled eggs |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-03-06/patti-harrison-comedian |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 29, 2020}}</ref>
In February 2021, Harrison was banned from Twitter after she impersonated the account of Nilla Wafers in a parody of corporate pinkwashing, particularly satirizing a tweet from Oreo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Megh |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Patti Harrison Apologizes to Bisexual People Who Love Nilla Wafers |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/05/patti-harrison-twitter-suspension-jimmy-kimmel.html |website=Vulture |access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> The controversy led to her appearing on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' to discuss it.<ref name=JK/> She became the first transgender actor to take part in a Disney animated film when she voiced Tail Chief in ''Raya and the Last Dragon'' (2021)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Michelle |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Patti Harrison Is the First Known Trans Actor Cast in a Disney Animated Movie {{!}} them. |url=http://www.them.us/story/patti-harrison-cast-raya-and-the-last-dragon-disney |website=www.them.us |access-date=March 27, 2021}}</ref> and had her debut feature film leading role in ''Together Together'' (2021),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galuppo |first=Mia |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Bleecker Street Grabs Sundance Competition Title 'Together Together' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sundance-bleecker-street-grabs-competition-title-together-together |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> for which she earned a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. She serves as ''Miss Culturista'' at the annual Las Culturistas Culture Awards, hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Jason P. |date=18 June 2023 |title=The True Winners & Losers of the Las Culturistas Culture Awards |website=Vulture |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/06/2023-las-culturistas-culture-awards-the-true-winners-losers.html |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref>
==Influences== Harrison has said one of her early comedic influences was ''Mad TV'', which she enjoyed watching during her childhood; she admired the female comedians on the show, especially Mo Collins, Nicole Sullivan, and Debra Wilson.<ref name=":4" /> She has also said that Kristen Wiig and Lisa Kudrow are her idols and that the ''Scary Movie'' films were her favorites as a child.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2022 |title=Patti Harrison interview: 'Not everyone is ready to have a laugh at beheading videos' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/patti-harrison-interview-fringe-i-think-you-should-leave-b2138943.html |access-date=August 10, 2022 |website=The Independent}}</ref>
== Personal life == Harrison came out as a trans woman shortly after dropping out of Ohio University, later describing her family as supportive.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> In 2020, she canvassed for the Democratic Socialists of America.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1278508330118524930|user=DSA_LosAngeles|title=Have you joined our Stimulus Solidarity Fundraiser yet??? So far @party_harderson, @ayoedebiri, @ihatejoelkim, and @NaomiandAndy have come by to hang. And there is PLENTY more to come.|date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> In 2021, she was diagnosed with ADHD, telling ''The New Yorker'' that she delayed seeking a diagnosis until she had "reached a point where [she] was so frustrated with [her] inability to just stay on track".<ref name="Syme 2022"/> She frequently posts her artwork on Instagram.<ref name=":1" />
== Filmography == === Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Patti Harrison film work |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="1" | 2018 | ''A Simple Favor'' | Kiko | |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | ''Together Together'' | Anna Caper | |- | ''Raya and the Last Dragon'' | Chief of Tail (voice) | |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''The Lost City'' | Allison | |- | ''Mack & Rita'' | Stephanie | |- | rowspan="3" | 2023 | ''Theater Camp'' | Caroline | |- | ''Trolls Band Together'' | Brandy (voice) | |- |''Milennial Hunter'' | Claire (voice) | |- | 2024 | ''The Luckiest Man in America'' | Janie | |- | 2026 | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| ''She Keeps Me Young'' {{dagger|alt=Denotes films that have not yet been released}} | {{TBA}} | Post-production |- | TBA | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| ''Close Personal Friends'' {{dagger|alt=Denotes films that have not yet been released}} | {{TBA}} | Post-production |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Patti Harrison television work |- !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2016–2017 | ''The Special Without Brett Davis'' | Patti / Sharting Woman / Maygan Mason | 6 episodes<br>Writer (3 episodes) |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 | ''Broad City'' | Anthropologie Employee | Episode: "Bedbugs" |- | ''The Chris Gethard Show'' | Sharon Herron | Episode: "Take a Chance" |- | ''Search Party'' | Renee | 3 episodes |- | 2017–2018 | ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' | Correspondent | 3 episodes |- | rowspan="3" | 2019 | ''High Maintenance'' | Chrinty | Episode: "Breathwork" |- | ''Full Frontal with Samantha Bee'' | Correspondent | Season 4, Episode 13<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tbs.com/shows/full-frontal-with-samantha-bee/clips/pride-like-its-1969|title=Pride Like It's 1969|website=www.tbs.com|access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref> |- | ''BoJack Horseman'' | Barbara (voice) | Episode: "Feel-Good Story" |- | 2019–2021 | ''Shrill'' | Ruthie | 16 episodes |- | 2019–2023 | ''I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson'' | Various Characters | 4 episodes<br>Writer (6 episodes) |- | 2020 | ''Magical Girl Friendship Squad'' | The Mushroominations (voice) | Episode: "Anti Fungal Spit Skanks" |- | rowspan="7" | 2021 | ''History of Swear Words'' | Herself | 3 episodes |- | ''Bob's Burgers'' | Patti / Pixie Princess Patricia (voice) | 2 episodes |- | ''Ziwe'' | Various Characters | 3 episodes |- | ''Tuca & Bertie'' | Martha (voice) | 4 episodes |- | ''Q-Force'' | Stat (voice) | 10 episodes |- | ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'' | Herself | 1 episode<ref name=JK>{{Cite web |author=Jimmy Kimmel Live |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Patti Harrison on Being Banned from Twitter for Impersonating Nilla Wafers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZIvpTrNNmo |website=YouTube |access-date=June 12, 2022}}</ref> |- | ''Adventure Time: Distant Lands'' | Weapon Head (voice) | Episode: "Wizard City" |- | rowspan="2" | 2021–2022 | ''The Great North'' | Debbie, Momma Marita (voice) | 9 episodes |- | ''Made for Love'' | Bangles de la Morga | 3 episodes |- | rowspan="3" | 2022 | ''Three Busy Debras'' | London England | Episode: "Operation: Seal Team Debra" |- | ''She-Hulk: Attorney at Law'' | Lulu | Episode: "Just Jen" |- | ''American Dad!'' | Ali (voice) | Episode: "Smooshed: A Love Story" |- | rowspan="3" | 2025 | ''Poker Face'' | Alex | 4 episodes |- |''Sausage Party: Foodtopia'' |Jill (voice) |Recurring role |- |''Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake'' | Witch Wizard (voice) | 3 episodes |- | 2026 | ''Regular Show: The Lost Tapes'' | Valencia (voice) | Episode: "Coffee Shop Wars" |}
=== Music videos === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Video ! scope="col" | Artist(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="1" | 2022 | "Bicstan" | Hudson Mohawke | Starring, co-directed w/ Alan Resnick |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Instagram|party_harderson}} * {{IMDb name|8773928}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Patti}}
Category:Living people Category:1990 births Category:21st-century American actresses Category:American actors with disabilities Category:American film actresses Category:American transgender actresses Category:American transgender writers Category:American comedians of Asian descent Category:American LGBTQ people of Asian descent Category:American people of Vietnamese descent Category:American sketch comedians Category:American stand-up comedians Category:American television writers Category:American transgender comedians Category:American voice actresses Category:American women comedians Category:American writers with disabilities Category:American television actresses Category:American women television writers Category:Comedians from Ohio Category:LGBTQ people from Ohio Category:LGBTQ writers with disabilities Category:Members of the Democratic Socialists of America from Ohio Category:Ohio University alumni Category:People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Category:Transgender people with disabilities Category:American LGBTQ women writers