Paula Poundstone Biography

Paula Poundstone is an American comedian, author, actress, and commentator. She is well known for her quick wit, and striking, impromptu humourous take on contemporary events. She is adept at presenting a unique brand of interactive, observational and improvisational comedy to theatre, radio, film, and television audiences. Her most notable acts were in a series of HBO comedy specials in the 1980s, her political correspondent role for ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ during the 1992 U.S. Presidential campaign and her present recurring role as a panelist on the NPR quiz show ‘Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!’ From humble beginnings in a small town, travelling across the U.S. doing stand-up comedy at open-mic nights, doing television specials, radio programs, voiceovers to podcasts - Poundstone has done it all! She is also an accomplished columnist and author of best-selling books. She has won several awards for her comic acts, shows and writing. Her personal life has been mired in controversy and she has fostered many children over the years. She regularly tours the U.S., performing more than 85 shows a year.