Maya Rudolph told how she found her own path to fame despite having two famous parents

July 17, 2024

Maya Rudolph is aware of the privileges she has received due to nepotism, but she doesn’t believe it influenced her breakthrough in comedy.

Maya Rudolph poses in a white shirt and black cardigan at The Groundlings event — Lila Seeley / Getty Images

For those who don’t know, Maya’s mother is legendary singer Minnie Riperton, best known for her 1974 song “Lovin’ You.”

Close up of Minnie Riperton — Maya even recreated two of her mother’s album covers when she hosted *SNL* back in 2021.

Harry Langdon / Getty Images

Her father is famous songwriter and producer Richard Rudolph. Richard co-wrote “Lovin’ You” with Minnie and has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Stevie Wonder, 2Pac, Teena Marie, Michael McDonald, Chaka Khan, The Temptations, New Edition and others.

Maya Rudolph, her father Richard Rudolph, her mother Minnie Riperton and Maya's brother Marc Rudolph — Pictured above are Maya Rudolph, her father Richard Rudolph, her mother Minnie Riperton and Maya’s brother Marc Rudolph.

Michael Ochs Archive / Getty Images

In a recent interview on the Armchair Expert In the podcast, Maya explained why she doesn’t believe having famous parents helped her acting and comedy career.

Close up of Maya Rudolph — Gregg Deguire/Deadline via Getty Images

“They were musicians. They were not actors,” said Maya. “My goal was to go to New York and Saturday Night Live. I understand this urge to be somewhere else – to roam around a new city and make my own way.”

Maya Rudolph imitates Kamala Harris with a drink, expresses herself with hand gestures and wears a suit and pearls — NBC

“But this is a huge undertaking. I didn’t think, ‘Oh, my dad writes songs, that makes me a comedian.’ There was no direct connection. I knew I had to do it myself.”

Maya, who currently stars in the hit Apple TV+ series preythen thought about her mother’s legacy and how many of her friends didn’t even know they were related.

Maya Rudolph in an elegant white dress with a champagne glass in her hand, smiling at an event — Apple TV+ / Courtesy of the Everett Collection

“It’s interesting because my mother was a singer who not all of my friends knew back then. Everyone who knows me today knows that’s my mother, but growing up I didn’t feel like she was a household name.”