Kate Clinton

Kate Clinton was born on November 9, 1947, in Buffalo, New York. She was raised in a large Catholic family and attended Le Moyne College, a Jesuit liberal arts institution in Syracuse, New York, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She later received her Master of Arts degree from Colgate University. Before embarking on her comedy career, Clinton worked as a high school English teacher for eight years, a role that preceded her public performance career.

Clinton began her stand-up comedy career in 1981. Her comedic style integrated her personal experiences, including her Catholic upbringing and her identity as a lesbian, with commentary on current political events. She describes herself as a “fumerist,” a term indicating her focus on feminist humor. Over her career, which spans more than 25 years, Clinton has authored three books: “Don’t Get Me Started,” “What the L,” and “I Told You So.” She has also released eight comedy CDs, such as “Climate Change,” “Comedy You Can Dance To,” “Read These Lips,” and “The Marrying Kind,” along with two available DVDs. Her consistent work in entertainment and political commentary has established her presence in both. She made appearances on television shows such as “The Secret Lives of Dentists” (2002), “The L Word” (2006, 1 episode), and “Smash” (2012, 1 episode).

Beyond her acting and writing endeavors, Kate Clinton has maintained a regular column for “The Progressive” magazine and was a past columnist for “The Advocate,” a national gay news magazine. Her commentary also extended to online platforms, with blogs featured on HuffPost. Her contributions to public discourse include numerous television appearances and serving as grand marshal for gay pride parades. When the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan commenced, she worked as a part-time commentator on CNN. Clinton’s career has included extensive involvement with social justice and nonprofit organizations, often serving as an emcee for fundraising events and dinners. Her 2006 tour marked her 25th anniversary as a professional stand-up comedian. She performed on Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Tour in 2008 and conducted her “Hilarity Clinton” one-person show tour the same year. She regularly served as emcee at the Out & Equal Workplace Awards Dinner, including the 2010 event in Los Angeles. She has been a fixture at major fundraising events for organizations such as the NYC LGBT Center, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the ACLU, and Out & Equal.