Noël Wells | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wells at Earwolf Studios in 2015 | |
| Born | Noël Kristi Wells (1986-12-23)December 23, 1986 (age 38) San Antonio,Texas, U.S. |
| Education | Memorial High School |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Known for | |
Noël Kristi Wells (born December 23, 1986)[1][2] is an American actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She is known for her television roles as Rachel Silva in theNetflix comedy-dramaMaster of None (2015–2017), as the voice of Kelsey Pokoly in theCartoon Network animated television seriesCraig of the Creek (2018–2025), as the voice of EnsignD'Vana Tendi in theParamount+ animated seriesStar Trek: Lower Decks (2020–2024), and her brief tenure as a featured player on theNBCsketch comedy seriesSaturday Night Live during its39th season between 2013 and 2014. She also wrote, directed, and starred in the filmMr. Roosevelt (2017). She has also ventured into music; her debut albumIt's So Nice! was released in 2019.
Wells was born inSan Antonio,Texas.[3] Her father is aTunisian immigrant, and her mother is ofMexican descent.[4][5][6] She says her parents named her Noël because she was born two days before Christmas.[7]
Wells attendedMemorial High School inVictoria, Texas, where she was active in speech and debate and graduated assalutatorian.[8] She graduated from theUniversity of Texas at Austin in 2010[9] with degrees in Plan II Honors andRadio-Television-Film.[10] While attending college, she was a cast member ofEsther's Follies,[11] Austin's long-running musical satire show, where she performed in sketches and as a ventriloquist and magician's assistant.[12] Before becoming an actress she worked as an editor and did motion graphics.
In 2010, Wells moved toLos Angeles and performed at theUpright Citizens Brigade Theatre with the sketch team "New Money".[13][14] She appeared in numerousCracked.com andCollegeHumor videos,[15] and was known for her own sketch and parody videos, which have over 18 million views on YouTube.[16]
In 2013, Wells joined the cast ofSaturday Night Live during its39th season as a featured player along with fellow Upright Citizens Brigade performersJohn Milhiser,Kyle Mooney, andBeck Bennett, as well as writerMike O'Brien and stand-up comedianBrooks Wheelan.[17][18][19] On July 15, 2014, it was announced that Wells would not be returning for a second season.[20][21]
Wells has made guest appearances on television programs such asThe Aquabats! Super Show! andComedy Bang! Bang!, as well as doing recurring voice work onHulu'sThe Awesomes,Disney XD'sWander Over Yonder, andCartoon Network'sCraig of the Creek.In 2015, she co-starred on the critically acclaimedNetflix comedyMaster of None, created byAziz Ansari andAlan Yang. Wells played Rachel, the love-interest of Ansari's character. Hitfix'sAlan Sepinwall said the "Dev/Rachel story is so smartly developed, with such strong chemistry between Ansari and Wells." Richard Lawson ofVanity Fair said her portrayal of Rachel was a "star-making...performance. It's subtle, but not minimalist or deadpan."[22][23][24] All 10 episodes premiered on November 6, 2015, and it won the 2016 Critics' Choice Award for Best Comedy.[25][26]
In March 2017, Wells wrote, directed, and starred in the feature filmMr. Roosevelt, which premiered at theSXSW film festival in Narrative Spotlight. It won multiple awards including the Audience Award and Louis Black Lone Star Jury Award at SXSW, and Best US Narrative Feature at the Traverse City Film Festival.[27][28]
Wells released her debut albumIt's So Nice on August 30, 2019.[29][30] Written and recorded over a two-year period, it was her first foray as a musician and singer-songwriter.
As of September 2019[update], Wells had a television show in development for the streaming serviceApple TV+.[31]
In 2020, Wells was cast as a voice actor in the animated seriesStar Trek: Lower Decks as Ensign Tendi, a newOrioncrewmember (one of four main characters) aboard theUSS Cerritos, working in the ship's medical bay.
Wells has lived inLos Angeles andNew York City.[32][33]
Her photography has been featured in exhibitions and the literary magazineOxford American.[34]
Noël is also an illustrator and her work has been featured in The New Yorker.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Forev | Sophie | |
| 2016 | Dreamland | Joanna | |
| 2017 | The Incredible Jessica James | Tasha | |
| 2017 | Infinity Baby | Theresa | |
| 2017 | Mr. Roosevelt | Emily Martin | Also producer, writer and director |
| 2018 | Happy Anniversary | Mollie | |
| 2018 | Social Animals | Zoe | |
| 2023 | Craig Before the Creek | Kelsey Pokoly, Mortimer, Bug Battler, Serena's Friend | Voice role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Aquabats! Super Show! | Rachel Moonbug | Episode: "The Anti-Bats!" |
| 2013–14 | Saturday Night Live | Featured player | Season 39 |
| 2014 | The Awesomes | Cait Walker / Knight Light | Voice role; 3 episodes |
| 2014–16 | Gentleman Lobsters | Shell | Voice role; 7 episodes |
| 2015 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Aiden Tomasseto | Episode: "Kid Cudi Wears a Denim Shirt and Red Sneakers" |
| 2015 | Semi-Charmed Life | Alex | Television film |
| 2015–16 | Wander Over Yonder | Lord Dominator | Voice; 13 episodes |
| 2015, 2017 | Master of None | Rachel Silva | Main Role |
| 2016 | The UCB Show | Trish/Willow | Episode: "Feel the Bern" |
| 2016 | Loosely Exactly Nicole | Blix | Episode: "Big Break" |
| 2016 | American Dad! | Shannon/DreamSmith Entertainment Announcer | Voice role; 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Elena of Avalor | Marimonda | Voice role; Episode: "Realm of the Jacquins" |
| 2018–25 | Craig of the Creek | Kelsey Pokoly (2nd voice) | Voice role; Main role |
| 2018 | Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy | Karen the Mermaid | Minor role; 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts | Jibralta | Voice role; Episode: "Benson and the Beast" |
| 2020–24 | Star Trek: Lower Decks | EnsignD'Vana Tendi | Voice role; Main role |
| 2020 | Wild Help | Jelly | Voice role; Pilot |
| 2021 | DuckTales | June | Voice role; Episode: "The Last Adventure" |
| 2023 | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Ensign D'Vana Tendi | Voice role; Episode: "Those Old Scientists" |
| 2024 | Jessica's Big Little World | Kelsey Pokoly | Voice role; 2 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Star Trek: Very Short Treks | Ensign D'Vana Tendi | Voice role; 2 episodes |
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