Elizabeth Stamatina Fey, known as Tina Fey, became Saturday Night Live’s first female head writer in 1997. Born May 18, 1970, in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, she’s now 54 years old. She stands at 5 feet 4½ inches tall, a detail she corrected after internet sources listed her incorrectly as 5-foot-2.
Her career spans writing, acting, and producing across television and film. She created the hit sitcom 30 Rock and wrote Mean Girls, which became a cultural phenomenon. With an estimated net worth of $75 million as of 2024, she’s one of comedy’s most successful women.
Tina Fey Quick Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Elizabeth Stamatina Fey |
| Born | May 18, 1970 (age 54) |
| Birthplace | Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania |
| Height | 5 feet 4½ inches (163.8 cm) |
| Education | University of Virginia (1992), The Second City |
| Spouse | Jeff Richmond (married June 3, 2001) |
| Children | Alice Zenobia (2005), Penelope Athena (2011) |
| Net Worth | $75 million (2024 estimate) |
| Major Works | 30 Rock, Mean Girls, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Girls5Eva, Bossypants |
| Awards | 10 Primetime Emmys, 2 Golden Globes, 5 SAG Awards, Mark Twain Prize (2010) |
| Heritage | Greek (mother), English/German/Scots-Irish (father) |
| Career Start | SNL writer (1997), promoted to head writer |
Tina Fey Early Life and Cultural Background
Tina Fey grew up in a working-class Pennsylvania neighborhood with rich cultural influences. Her mother, Zenobia “Jeanne” Xenakes, was born in Piraeus, Greece. Her father, Donald Henry Fey, had English, German, and Scots-Irish ancestry.
When Fey was five, a stranger attacked her in her front yard, leaving a permanent scar on her left cheek, as confirmed by an interview with Vanity Fair. She rarely discusses the incident publicly. Her husband Jeff Richmond later noted that the experience shaped how she approaches comedy and connects with people.
Fey’s comedy education started at home watching Saturday Night Live and Monty Python with her family. Her father loved The Honeymooners but disliked The Flintstones. At age 11, she read Joe Franklin’s book on film comedians for a school project.
Education and Comedy Training
Fey graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1988 as an honors student. She co-edited the school newspaper, The Acorn, where she wrote an anonymous satirical column. She joined the choir, drama club, and tennis team.
She enrolled at the University of Virginia to study playwriting and acting. There she joined Delta Zeta sorority and the theater group First Year Players. She graduated in 1992 with training in dramatic structure and performance.
After college, Fey moved to Chicago to study at The Second City. She worked at a YMCA to pay for improv classes. She failed her first audition but succeeded eight weeks later on her second attempt.
Breaking Into Saturday Night Live
Fey spent years performing at The Second City before SNL scouts came looking for talent in 1995. Her friend Adam McKay became an SNL writer and later head writer. McKay told Fey to send a submission packet with six sketches over the summer.
Lorne Michaels met her and reviewed her work. She got the job offer one week later. In a Terry Gross 1999 NPR Fresh Air interview, Fey said, “It’s very fun to be a writer at Saturday Night Live, but it’s more fun to do both.”
Fey admitted being nervous in Studio 8H during her first week. She was younger and shorter than most writers in a male-dominated room. She “completely froze” initially and submitted pieces she’d written while applying for the job.
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Historic Achievement as Head Writer
Fey became SNL’s first female head writer, breaking barriers in comedy writing. This appointment represented a shift in television comedy’s power structure. She proved women could lead writers’ rooms and shape mainstream comedy.
From 2000 to 2004, she co-anchored Weekend Update with Jimmy Fallon. Her dry delivery and sharp wit redefined the segment’s style. The partnership moved toward more personal, observational humor.
Her 2008 portrayal of Sarah Palin during the election cycle became a cultural moment. The sketches drew massive viewership and showcased her range as a performer. Many felt her impersonation influenced how voters viewed the campaign.
Tina Fey Height and Physical Presence
Fey stands at 5 feet 4½ inches (163.8 cm), slightly above average for American women. She wears a US size 7 shoe, which converts to European size 37-38. Her height has never limited her commanding presence in writers’ rooms or on stage.
She’s known for her black plastic-rimmed glasses that became part of her signature look. The frames help with public recognition. She prefers showing her right side to cameras.
Marriage to Jeff Richmond
Fey married Jeff Richmond, a pianist and composer, on June 3, 2001, in a Greek Orthodox ceremony. They met in 1994 when Fey was 24, two years after she joined Second City. Richmond is nine years older and stands at 5 feet 2 inches tall.
Richmond became Second City’s musical director and later composed music for Fey’s projects. He won three Emmy Awards for his work on 30 Rock. The couple works in separate creative spaces when collaborating on projects.
Fey told Women’s Health in 2007 about their relationship: “It was actually a really great age difference because he was much more mature.” There was no game playing from the beginning. Richmond is the only man she has been intimate with.
Family Life and Daughters
Fey and Richmond have two daughters: Alice Zenobia, born September 10, 2005, and Penelope Athena, born August 10, 2011. Both names reflect Fey’s Greek heritage. The girls have appeared in their mother’s projects over the years.
According to the New York Daily News, Alice coined the famous 30 Rock phrase “I want to go there” when she was young. She appeared in a 30 Rock episode playing a young version of her mother’s character. Fey has described Alice as having a strong comedy education.
Penelope was cast as a child influencer on Girls5Eva. Another actor was originally hired but couldn’t fly in due to restrictions. Penelope landed the role by default.
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30 Rock and Creative Control
Fey created and starred in NBC’s 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013, playing Liz Lemon. The character was loosely based on her experiences as a head writer. The show won multiple Emmy Awards and established her as a creative force.
At the show’s peak, Fey earned $500,000 per episode while serving as writer and producer, according to Parade. For a 23-episode season, this translated to approximately $11.5 million annually. The success proved female-led projects could be commercially viable.
The show ran for seven seasons and 138 episodes total. Her combined earnings from acting, writing, and producing exceeded expectations. This opened doors for other female-created sitcoms.
Mean Girls Legacy
Fey wrote and starred in Mean Girls in 2004, which generated $130 million worldwide on a $17 million budget, as documented by Box Office Mojo. The film explored high school social dynamics with sharp wit. Its quotable dialogue entered popular culture.
She adapted Mean Girls into a Broadway musical in 2018, earning a Tony Award nomination. In 2024, she produced a musical film adaptation. This multi-platform approach shows her ability to reimagine work for different mediums.
The film’s longevity proves her understanding of social dynamics transcends time periods. Phrases like “fetch” and “on Wednesdays we wear pink” remain part of everyday vocabulary. The story captures universal experiences in a specific setting.
Film Career Beyond Mean Girls
Fey’s film work includes Baby Mama (2008), which reunited her with Amy Poehler. The comedy earned $60 million domestically on a $30 million budget, per Box Office Mojo. Date Night (2010) and Sisters (2015) showcased her range in different comedy styles.
She provided voice work in animated films like Megamind (2010) and Soul (2020). In Soul, she voiced character 22, a soul who doesn’t want to go to Earth. The Pixar film demonstrated her versatility beyond live-action roles.
Her film choices balance commercial appeal with creative interest. She picks projects that allow collaboration with longtime partners. This approach has built a consistent body of work.
Tina Fey Net Worth and Financial Success
Fey’s estimated net worth stands at $75 million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This wealth comes from writing, producing, acting, and hosting across multiple platforms. Her business approach includes retaining creative control and ownership stakes.
She received a $6 million advance for her 2011 memoir Bossypants, which sold nearly 4 million copies. The book topped bestseller lists for five weeks. It demonstrated her ability to translate comedic voice to the written page.
The memoir also earned her a Grammy Award nomination for the audiobook version. Her honest approach to topics like work-life balance resonated with readers. Before publication, she admitted feeling vulnerable about writing alone.
Body Image Discussions
Fey openly discussed losing 30 pounds through WW (formerly Weight Watchers) after moving from Chicago to New York, reports People Magazine. She joined the program and adjusted eating habits before co-anchoring Weekend Update in 2000. She became a lifetime member after reaching her goals.
She doesn’t currently count points except when preparing for major events. Her discussions addressed pressures women face regarding appearance in entertainment. She avoids extreme methods and focuses on sustainable habits.
Partnership with Amy Poehler
Fey and Amy Poehler have maintained a friendship spanning over 30 years. Poehler jokingly calls herself Fey’s “second wife” since joining Weekend Update. Their chemistry extended beyond SNL to co-hosting the Golden Globe Awards four times.
Poehler admitted to initially being intimidated by the Weekend Update desk, reports by TODAY. She has acknowledged that Fey helped get her cast on SNL. The Tina Fey & Amy Poehler: Restless Leg Tour continues to offer live performances as of 2025.
Their partnership demonstrates how female comedy collaborations can sustain across decades. Baby Mama proved their on-screen chemistry translates to box office success. They remain close friends who support each other’s projects.
Awards and Recognition
Fey has won ten Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. She received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2010 at age 40, as confirmed by BBC. She became the youngest-ever recipient of the prestigious comedy award.
She appeared on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2007 and 2009. In 2011, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2018, she and Robert Carlock received the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence.
These honors recognize her impact across writing, performing, and producing. The awards span different categories, showing multifaceted contributions. Her recognition opened doors for women in comedy.
Recent Projects and Continued Output
Beyond 30 Rock, Fey created Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2020) for Netflix. She developed Mr. Mayor (2021-2022) for NBC and executive produced Girls5Eva (2021-2024). In 2025, The Four Seasons debuts on Netflix with Fey as star and co-creator.
These projects demonstrate her continued creative output and ability to develop new comedic voices. She works with frequent collaborator Robert Carlock on most projects. Their partnership has produced consistent quality across multiple shows.
Fey’s move to streaming platforms reflects the changing television landscape. Netflix picked up several projects after traditional networks passed. This flexibility allows her to maintain creative control.
Philanthropy and Personal Values
After her father’s death in 2015, Fey established a scholarship at Temple University for war veterans studying journalism. Donald Fey, a Korean War veteran, worked in grant writing and university administration. He raised $500 million for schools, hospitals, and public service agencies.
Her brother Peter, eight years older, graduated from Temple’s School of Media and Communication in 1984. Together they established the scholarship in their father’s name. The fund supports students who are military veterans demonstrating financial need.
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Cultural Impact and Legacy
Fey’s career represents a shift in comedy’s gender dynamics that extends beyond her own success. As SNL’s first female head writer, she opened doors in writers’ rooms across the industry. Her work proved female perspectives could drive mainstream comedy.
Her characters, especially Liz Lemon, created complex female protagonists who were neither perfect nor apologetic. They were simply human and trying their best. This authentic portrayal resonated with audiences.
Mean Girls’ cultural relevance nearly two decades after release speaks to timeless storytelling. The film’s successful adaptation to Broadway and then back to film shows enduring appeal. Her understanding of social dynamics captures universal experiences.
FAQ’s About Tina Fey
How tall is Tina Fey?
Tina Fey stands at 5 feet 4½ inches (163.8 cm).
What is Tina Fey’s net worth?
Fey’s estimated net worth is $75 million as of 2024.
Who is Tina Fey’s husband?
Fey married Jeff Richmond, a composer and musician, on June 3, 2001.
How many children does Tina Fey have?
Fey has two daughters: Alice Zenobia (born 2005) and Penelope Athena (born 2011).
Did Tina Fey write Mean Girls?
Yes, Fey wrote the screenplay for Mean Girls (2004), which earned $130 million worldwide.
What shows did Tina Fey create?
Fey created 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Mr. Mayor, and The Four Seasons.
When did Tina Fey win the Mark Twain Prize?
Fey received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2010 at age 40.
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