KARI LEE WASOBA: PRIMETIME LADY It's her moment. As the authentic, brainy brunette that TV loves, Kari Lee Wasoba pivots her focus from her highly successful commercial acting career to her true ...Show More
KARI LEE WASOBA: PRIMETIME LADY It's her moment. As the authentic, brainy brunette that TV loves, Kari Lee Wasoba pivots her focus from her highly successful commercial acting career to her true love, comedy. With roots in improv and sketch comedy, Kari's big 'brass ring' is SNL. She's always working on her characters, and is ready to perform at the drop of a mic. "My heroes are Kate McKinnon and Melissa McCarthy!" Kari's favorite shows are SNL, 30 Rock, Silicon Valley, The Mick, Arrested Development, The Mindy Show, Modern Family..."That absurdist comedy is what I love doing. " Kari's ability to morph from morbid to silly is the stuff of sitcoms, dramedy, or horror. Blessed with a mobile, expressive face and large, luminous eyes, Kari shifts on a dime from dark to light, scary to sympathetic. Physically, Kari's grounded, ironic quality recalls the energy of Sarah Paulson, Alison Janey, Mary Elisabeth Winstead; which Kari can transform to broad comedy at will. This is what sets her apart. That--and her talent for playing layered villains. Kari jokes about her constant typecasting as the intense, backstabbing BFF. "I'm often cast as the 'frenemy,' or the mean girl, why? Do I look cruel!? " The crazy ex girlfriend, the vengeful ex employee, the over-ambitious prosecutor, double-crossing Soviet spy, no-prisoners-BB coach with a game to win, ruthless real estate agent, unscrupulous PI...throw Kari that ball and watch her run with it.Working on her own comic material while going up for juicy film and TV roles is how Kari stays fresh. Obsessed with being prepared, Kari takes pride in being off book. A standup improv vet, Kari lives for the funny. A born improviser, Kari joined a marching band in high school whose color guard had zero moves. Kari took it upon herself to choreograph their flag routine, and voila, a new skill was born. Kari took the humor in the band's antics and combined it with the discipline required to play and march. This is classic Kari. Her training with Upright Citizen's Brigade and The Second City Improv prepared her for insanity. Currently in an indie rock band, Kari's always, always active, and out on a limb artistically. Her skill set reads like a gym menu. Aerobics, Bowling, Cheerleading, Hula Hoop, Ice Skating, Jump Rope, Roller Skating, Softball, Swimming, Trampoline, Volleyball, Spinning Flags and Rifles, and Flute! Aware of her 'serious' first impression, Kari relishes playing against type, surprising casting directors with her fifty shades of skills including a Mezzo Soprano, BBC British, Russian, and Southern accents. Her resume is a balance of film, TV, and theater credits with a hearty dose of commercial work. Recent TV leads and film include Drinksgiving, Natural Causes, My Haunted House (TV Series), Sex Sent Me to the ER, Cry Wolfe, Hold the Mayo (TV Mini-Series). Theater work includes Steel Magnolias, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story. In truth, the surface of her talent has just been scratched. Kari's a team player; perfect for ensemble work; Orange is the New Black, Bridesmaids; Pitch Perfect...Kari Lee Wasoba is a primetime lady. Hide
