Judy Greer
The quintessential scene-stealer whose relatable everywoman charm has anchored over a hundred films and TV shows, often as the best friend you wish you had.
Born 1975 (age 51)·American actress·Birthday: July 20·Generation X
Biography
Judy Greer didn't burst onto the scene as a traditional leading lady; she carved out a vital niche as the hilarious, sardonic, or vulnerably real foil to Hollywood's biggest stars. After studying at the Theatre School at DePaul University, she began landing small but memorable parts in late-'90s comedies. Her breakthrough came as the cynical, eye-rolling best friend in films like '13 Going on 30' and '27 Dresses,' roles that turned her into a generational touchstone for witty support. Greer possesses a rare comedic timing that can pivot from broad physical humor to subtle, heart-breaking delivery in an instant, which led to acclaimed dramatic work on shows like 'Arrested Development' and 'Kidding.' She has become one of the most recognizable and trusted faces in the industry, a character actress whose presence guarantees a lift in any scene. Beyond acting, she's directed episodes of television and authored a candid, humorous memoir, proving her voice extends far beyond the best friend's apartment.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Judy was born in 1975, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Judy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1975
#1 Movie
Jaws
Best Picture
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Judy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1975Born
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1980Started school
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1988Became a teenager
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Could drive
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1993Could vote
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Turned 21
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2005Turned 30
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 40
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 50
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 51 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Published a bestselling memoir, 'I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star,' in 2014.
- Portrayed the fan-favorite character Kitty Sanchez across multiple seasons of the critically adored series 'Arrested Development.'
- Voiced the character of Cheryl Tunt, a central and chaotic figure, in the long-running animated series 'Archer.'
- Starred as the lead in the TBS comedy series 'The McCarthys' and had a recurring dramatic role on the Showtime series 'Kidding.'
Did You Know?
She is a certified yoga instructor.
Greer's first professional acting role was in a Burger King commercial.
She provided the voice for the female Bulborb in the English dub of the video game 'Pikmin 2.'
Her stepfather was a police officer who later became a funeral director.
“I'm always the best friend. I've made an entire career out of being the best friend.”
