Alison Brie
She transformed from a quirky sitcom sidekick into a dramatic powerhouse, proving her range across comedy and prestige television.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American actress and writer·Birthday: December 29·Millennials
Biography
Alison Brie didn't just arrive in Hollywood; she meticulously built a career that defies easy categorization. After early roles, she broke through as the sweet, naive Annie Edison on the cult-favorite sitcom 'Community,' mastering a unique blend of earnestness and physical comedy. Simultaneously, she delivered a raw, emotionally complex performance as Trudy Campbell on 'Mad Men,' holding her own against the show's dramatic heavyweights. Brie refused to be typecast, later co-creating and starring in the wrestling comedy 'GLOW,' where her portrayal of a struggling actress finding her strength was both hilarious and deeply human. Her work extends to voice acting in animated hits and leading roles in independent films, showcasing a relentless drive to explore new creative territory.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alison was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alison Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Alison's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned critical acclaim for her dual role as a struggling actress and her wrestling persona 'Zoya the Destroya' on the Netflix series 'GLOW'.
- Portrayed the complex journey of Trudy Campbell across all seven seasons of the seminal drama 'Mad Men'.
- Played the pivotal role of Annie Edison, a central member of the study group, throughout the six-season run of 'Community'.
- Co-wrote and starred in the 2020 drama film 'Horse Girl,' exploring mental health with a surreal and personal touch.
Did You Know?
She is married to actor and director Dave Franco, brother of James Franco.
She provided the voice for Princess Unikitty in 'The Lego Movie' franchise.
She trained extensively in wrestling for her role on 'GLOW,' performing many of her own stunts.
Her middle name, Brie, is her mother's maiden name, which she uses professionally.
“I think the more specific you get, the more universal it becomes.”
