Top 10 Funniest Maya Rudolph Moments

Looking for the perfect song to serenade your loved one? This might just be it. We all know that without the right soundtrack, romance can feel a bit flat. Luckily, Maya Rudolph knows just what it takes to heat things up: a key change! Yes, you heard that right—a key change. Turns out, few things can’t be fixed with one. What’s truly impressive is how Rudolph’s vocal talents shine, nailing every key change with precision while keeping the humor alive. Even with all the vocal gymnastics, the comedy never skips a beat. Next Valentine’s Day, we’re definitely setting the mood with this tune!

Remember 2020? How could anyone forget? Or maybe you’ve tried to block it out—honestly, who could blame you? In this Netflix special, Rudolph stars as Andrea, a weather reporter on the fictional news show “Everything’s Fine,”… only everything is most definitely not fine. We’ve all checked the weather and wondered what on earth is going on!? Now top that with a pandemic and a highly divisive election, and yeah, who wouldn’t be freaking out? Watching her lose her cool on screen gives us a few moments of much-needed relief as we cackle in solidarity and think, “Us too, girl. Us too.”

In 2019, some of “SNL’s” most talented women joined forces for a movie directed by Amy Poehler. Rudolph stars as Naomi, one of a group of longtime friends heading to Napa for a friend’s 50th birthday celebration. As the wine flows, things get hilariously chaotic. After just one night, Naomi finds herself wearing a shower cap with no idea why. She’s also convinced that a bit of flossing is the perfect way to loosen up a stressed friend. But nothing tops the scene where totally hammered, and she grabs the mic to serenade the birthday girl. It’s a wobbly start, but when life—or wine—knocks you down, the only choice is to get up and keep singing!

After a run-in with mob boss Figgis, Jake and Captain Holt are forced into witness protection under the care of U.S. Marshal Karen Haas. Marshal Haas is a badass when it comes to her job. However, when it comes to her personal life, she’s more of a hot mess. This dynamic gives Rudolph the chance to show off her incredible range, even in her brief time on the series. We were relieved when Jake and Holt got their old lives back but sad to see Rudolph’s stint come to an end. And while we’re talking hilarious sitcom cameos, we couldn’t forget her hilarious Dionne Warwick on “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Classic.

Rudolph really knows how to bring animated characters to life by getting, well, super animated in the recording booth. We saw this in “Big Hero 6,” where her physicality during recording reportedly influenced her character, Aunt Cass. And we’d love to think that same energy inspired her role as Linda Mitchell. Linda has so many great moments in “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” but her best has to be when she goes full-on momma bear. No one has more power to take down technology and save the world than a mom whose kids are in peril. Who knew that if we ever face a robot uprising, all we need is an army of angry moms?

Puberty can feel like a temperamental monster wreaking havoc on our bodies. In “Big Mouth,” this struggle is made literal with the introduction of the Hormone Monsters—well, in this case, a Hormone Monstress. She’s refreshingly blunt and tackles those awkward topics many people find hard to discuss. Her over-the-top delivery perfectly captures the emotional ups and downs of growing up. While “Big Mouth” can be a bit crude and isn’t for everyone, the voice acting and comedic timing make the character really funny. There aren’t many, but we can definitely think of a few times in our lives when we could have used someone like Connie to help us through!

Rudolph has been playing Kamala Harris on “SNL” since 2019 when she introduced America to their “Fun Aunt” or “Funt” during some excellent debate sketches. Harris has since taken on a bigger role in politics, and Rudolph's impression has evolved right along with her. It’s clear she’s been doing her homework, brilliantly capturing Harris's mannerisms, quirks, and even her viral moments. Unlike some “SNL” impressions that go for pure over-the-top parody, Rudolph captures Harris's essence with real skill and flair. Even the real Harris has said she’s a fan! Here’s hoping we get to see much more of Rudolph’s impression in the years ahead.

Rudolph plays Judge Gen, a powerful judge who decides the fate of souls in the afterlife. With cosmic powers and a surprisingly bureaucratic attitude, she brings both authority and humor to every scene. Her chemistry with the other characters, especially Chidi, is fantastic, and it really makes us wish she could stick around for more episodes. Plus, her takes on earthly pop culture are always a treat! It’s no wonder this role earned her not one, not two, but three Primetime Emmy nominations. In just 12 episodes, Rudolph turned Judge Gen into one of the show’s most memorable characters. No doubt about it—she’s heading straight to the Good Place!

In this hilarious comedy, Rudolph plays Lillian, a bride-to-be with the most mismatched group of bridesmaids imaginable. One memorable scene has her best friend Annie taking them all to a Brazilian restaurant before a dress fitting. If you’ve been to one of these wedding dress shops, you know they’re usually pristine and fancy—you can guess where this is headed! The lunch they enjoyed earlier makes a surprise reappearance, and things get messy fast. Everyone scrambles for a receptacle, but Lillian’s big, puffy wedding dress proves to be a major obstacle. Ultimately, she has to stop in the street and let it all out! It’s gross but also quite a sight to behold!

We’ve already talked about Rudolph’s Primetime Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Kamala Harris, but she first joined “SNL” in season 25 and remained until season 33. During her time on the show, she brought us countless memorable characters, impressions, and skits that we still love to watch. Rudolph truly showed off her versatility by playing celebrities like Whitney Houston, Donatella Versace, and Oprah. She even revisited her impression of Beyoncé in later episodes. Honestly, she’s appeared in so many of our favorite sketches that it’s tough to choose! It’s always so much fun when she returns, whether as a guest or a host. Here’s to many more years of Rudolph bringing us joy and laughter!

Which Maya Rudolph moment always makes you chuckle? Let us know in the comments!