Briga Heelan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Andover, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupations | Actress, comedian |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Briga Heelan (pronunciation/ˈbriːɡɑː/BREE-gah)[1] is an American actress and comedian. She is known for her work on the sitcomsCougar Town,Ground Floor,Undateable,Love,Great News, andB Positive.
Heelan was born inAndover, Massachusetts,[2] the daughter of actress andLowell Public Schools teacher Kimball Heelan andplaywright Kevin Heelan.[1][3] She has a brother named Conor.[3] Heelan's father, as well as being adramatist, has been afaculty member atPhillips Andover Academy since 1983.[4]
Heelan attendedWalnut Hill School for the Arts and studied for a year at theCincinnati Conservatory of Music, before transferring to theUniversity of Southern California.[1] She graduated with aBachelor of Arts degree in 2009.[5] At graduation, Heelan received the James B. Pendleton Award for outstanding contributions to theUSC School of Dramatic Arts.[6]
Heelan intended to focus onmusical theatre.[7] She met herGround Floor co-star,Skylar Astin, at a musical theatre convention.[7]
Heelan's break-out TV role was onCougar Town.[8] She was credited as arecurring character onUndateable, appearing in three episodes plus thepilot. She was able to shoot bothBill Lawrence-helmedGround Floor andUndateable simultaneously[9] because both comedies aremulti-camera, which require fewer production days than single-camera shows.[10] She also guest starred in the first episode of Season 10 ofCurb Your Enthusiasm.
Regarding Heelan's role inGround Floor, TV criticAlan Sepinwall said Heelan is "simply terrific as Jenny: warm and quirky while always feeling like a strong and independent character".[11][12] TheLos Angeles Times said Heelan "makesGround 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 inOnce Upon a One More Time at theMarquis Theatre. She had previously portrayed the same role in the 2021 world premiere run in Washington, D.C.[14]
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 paganCeltic 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 fromDublin."[1]
On October 16, 2014, Heelan became engaged to herGround Floor co-starRene 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].
| 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" |
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| National | |
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