Lauren Adams

• Name — Lauren Adams • Birth Name — Lauren Conlin Adams • Birthplace — Washington, D.C., U.S. • Occupation — Actress, comedian • Years Active — 2004–present • Education — Elon University (BFA)

Adams was born in Washington, D.C. in 1982 and grew up in Potomac, Maryland. She graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a BFA in 2004.

Adams has studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade since August 2007 under Bobby Moynihan, Lennon Parham, Zach Woods, Michael Delaney, Anthony King and Chris Gethard. At UCB, Lauren performed Oscarbait and was a member of former Maude Team Slow Burn and former Harold Teams Johnny Romance and Sherlock & Cookies. She still performs regularly as a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. In Netflix's series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Adams played Gretchen Chalker, a willing, overzealous member of the cult, who believed everything she was told and who failed to adapt to life outside of a cult. Adams also appeared in an episode of The Break with Michelle Wolf titled “Bad Opinions,” in a skit about the New York Times op-ed section.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2009 — Nice Brothers — Interviewer — Episode: "The Nice Brothers Part 2" • 2011 — Musicals in Real Life — iPad Woman — 2 episodes • 2011–2015 — CollegeHumor Originals — Various — 6 episodes • 2012 — Jest Originals — Leslie / Hippie / Cashier — 3 episodes • 2012 — The B.S. of A. with Brian Sack — Various — 5 episodes; also writer • 2013 — Very Mary-Kate — Stand-In — Episode: "Instagram" • 2013 — Pursuit of Sexiness — Shop Girl — Episode: "Thrift Shop" • 2014 — Improv Everywhere Originals — Olympic Runner — Episode: "Surprise Torch Run" • 2014 — Above Average Presents — Lauren — 3 episodes • 2014 — Good Dads — Park Mom — Television film • 2015 — I Hate Being Single — Lonely Bridesmaid — Episode: "Marriage Meat" • 2015 — Nepotism — Crafty Extra — Episode: "Extra Crafty" • 2015–2019 — Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt — Gretchen Chalker — 20 episodes • 2016 — Netflix Presents: The Characters — Laura — Episode: "Natasha Rothwell" • 2016 — Deadbeat — Carol — 3 episodes • 2018 — Myrtle & Willoughby — ShackR Lady — Episode: "#Chase" • 2019 — Last Week Tonight with John Oliver — Homeowner's friend — Episode: "Mobile Homes" • 2019 — Adam Ruins Everything — Lady Liberty — Episode: "Adam Ruins America" • 2019 — Modern Family — Campbell — Episode: "Tree's a Crowd" • 2020 — Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend — Gretchen Chalker — Television film • 2025 — Last Week Tonight with John Oliver — Air traffic controller — Episode 333