Lisa Donovan | |
|---|---|
 Donovan in 2021 | |
| Born | (1980-06-11)June 11, 1980 (age 44) New York City, U.S.[1] |
| Other names | LisaNova (onYouTube) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, actress, YouTuber |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Known for | The Pattern, Maker Studios |
| Website | thepattern |
Lisa Donovan (born June 11, 1980) is an American formerYouTuber. She is a founder of Zappin Productions,[2] a production company that specialized inviral videos, as well as the founder and CEO ofThe Pattern, an astrology-based personality app.[1]
Donovan began her career as one of YouTube's earliest content creators and was subsequently one of the co-founders ofMaker Studios, a YouTube video network which was purchased in 2015 byThe Walt Disney Company for $675M.[3] The network was absorbed by Disney in 2017 to becomeDisney Digital Network.
Donovan grew up inScarsdale, New York.[4] She was a student at theUniversity of Colorado at Boulder before moving toLos Angeles, California.[5]
Donovan made her first YouTube channel in September 2005[6] and uploaded her first video, "Introducing LisaNova," a reel of facial clips in black-and-white accompanied by theCharles Aznavour songNon, je n'ai rien oublié, to YouTube on June 7, 2006.[7] She has parodied a number of celebrities and public figures; her impersonation ofSarah Palin was praised inWired as "ruthlessly hilarious", and in 2008Ralph Nader made a guest appearance in one of the skits.[8] In aForbes magazine article, YouTube founderChad Hurley highlighted Donovan's success as an example of the changing paradigm of entertainment.[9] Donovan is also a co-creator of the popular YouTube channel 'The Game Station', which led to her co-founding the YouTube networkMaker Studios.
Donovan was one of the first YouTube content creators to cross over to mainstream Hollywood when she was cast onMADtv in 2006.[10] She debuted in a spoof ofThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she playedSalma Hayek, the producer of the ABC comedyUgly Betty, andRosie O'Donnell.[11] The episode aired on February 17, 2007. After signing a contract and only appearing in four episodes ofMADtv, she left the following season.
In 2015, she played the role of the flight attendant inJeremy Garelick'sThe Wedding Ringer.[12]
Donovan co-founded and served as a board member forMaker Studios, amulti-channel network. Maker Studios was sold toThe Walt Disney Company in 2014.[13]
Donovan is the founder and CEO of The Pattern, an astrology-based personality app.[1] In 2021, Donovan announced that The Pattern intends to launch a dating product called Connect.[14]
