Jean Villepique
A veteran of Chicago's stored improvisational comedy scene, Jean Villepique was a regular presence on television as a guest star in comedies like "The Office" (NBC, 2005-2013) before moving up to recurring and co-starring roles in "Sharp Objects" (HBO, 2018) and the NBC comedy "AP Bio" (2018-). Born Jean Leigh Villepique in New Jersey, she earned a degree in theater from Northwestern University before relocated to Chicago to study improvisational comedy with legendary acting coach Del Close. Villepique performed with both the improvOlympics and Second City troupes before joining the latter as a writer and national touring company member. She made her screen debut as a Second City member in Jeff Garlin's independent comedy "I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With" (2006) and soon found steady work in films and on television series featuring many of her contemporaries in improv and comedy, including "30 Rock" (NBC, 2006-2012), "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2000-) and "The Office." In 2011, she enjoyed a recurring role as the overly enthusiastic neighbor of Christina Applegate and Will Forte on producer Emily Spivey's short-lived but critically praised sitcom "Up All Night" (NBC, 2011-2012), but soon returned to regular guest work on comic series like "Key & Peele" (Comedy Central, 2012-2015) and "Veep" (HBO, 2012-) and the occasional drama like "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC, 2005-). 2018 proved to be one of her busiest and most high-profiled years, with a recurring role on the HBO limited series drama "Sharp Objects" and a series regular role as a teacher on "AP Bio," on which she replaced "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975-) regular Vanessa Bayer.