Yvonne Orji
Yvonne Orji is a Nigerian-American actress, comedienne and writer who continues to display her versatility and passion with each project she takes on.
On television, she stars in HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy series Insecure. The show follows the friendship of two modern-day black women (Orji & series creator, Issa Rae) and all their uncomfortable experiences and racy tribulations. In September 2018, she will be making her feature film debut in Universal’s Night School alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.
Yvonne is also currently developing a half-hour sitcom based on her life entitled First Gen, that Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo are executive producing. The show is a family comedy about a Nigerian girl who trades medical school for a career in stand-up comedy and the adventures that ensue after her strict African mother discovers her plans.
A distinguished stand-up comedian, Yvonne has opened for Chris Rock on various stops on his Total Blackout Tour. Yvonne is also known for her inspiring TED Talk, in which she discusses factors that make for a healthy relationship.
Outside of her creative work, she is dedicated to her charitable efforts. In 2008 she spent six months working in post-conflict Liberia with Population Services International (PSI), an NGO that utilizes social marketing in the adoption of healthy behaviors. While in Liberia, she worked with a group of talented youth to help build a mentoring program as well as a weekly talk show that helped educate and prevent against the spread of teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Orji has brought her work with the youth community back to the states, where she is currently involved with (RED) campaigns and faith based youth ministries.
Before moving to Los Angeles, Orji earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Masters of Public Health from George Washington University.