Marietta Sirleaf, better known simply as Retta, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She is mainly known for her starring role as Donna Meagle on NBC's Parks and Recreation. She has appeared in several films and television shows, and has performed stand-up on Comedy Central's Premium Blend.
Retta is from New Jersey, and graduated from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She started working in the pharmaceutical research field before moving to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in comedy.Retta started performing stand-up comedy in 1996, although she said she did not start "earning money" until 1998, when she started touring on the college circuit. Retta said she used to get "really nauseated" before a performance, but that the feeling passed with experience.Retta has said her stand-up material tends to be slightly embellished stories from her regular everyday life, family, and friends. She has also made jokes about her obesity. Retta has stated she would give up stand-up comedy for a full-time acting career if possible: "I'm not married to stand-up, just because it's a road thing. It's very lonely with all the traveling.
Known For
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
(1 episode)
2025
Scariest House in America
Self - Host · (4 episodes)
2024
The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie
Mrs. Bundy
2024
Hit Man
Claudette
2024
The Greatest Hits
Dr. Evelyn Bartlett
2024
Elsbeth
Margo Clarke · (2 episodes)
2024
80 for Brady
Self
2023
Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong
Self
2023
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Self · (1 episode)
2022
The Boys Presents: Diabolical
Ghost's Mom (voice) · (1 episode)
2022
Ugliest House in America
Self - Host · (35 episodes)
2022
Get Organized with The Home Edit
(1 episode)
2020
Home Movie: The Princess Bride
The Mother · (1 episode)
2020
A Parks and Recreation Special
Donna Meagle
2020
The Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation
Donna Meagle
2020
Duncanville
Makeover Station Employee (voice) · (1 episode)
2020
The Morning Show
Retta · (1 episode)
2019
A Little Late with Lilly Singh
Self · (1 episode)
2019
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self · (1 episode)
2019
Good Boys
Lucas' Mom
2019
Where's Waldo?
Wizard Nightingale (voice) · (1 episode)
2019
A Legendary Christmas with John & Chrissy
Self
2018
Good Girls
Ruby Hill · (50 episodes)
2018
Father Figures
Annie
2017
Where's the Money
Roberta
2017
Big Mouth
Duke's Mother (voice) · (1 episode)
2017
The Lego Ninjago Movie
Maggie the Cheerleader (voice)
2017
DuckTales
Harp (voice) · (1 episode)
2017
DuckTales
Mystical Harp (voice) · (1 episode)
2017
Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Self · (1 episode)
2017
Band Aid
Carol
2017
To the Bone
Lobo
2017
Operator
Pauline 'Roger' Rogers
2016
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
Ida Stricker
2016
Other People
Nina
2016
The $100,000 Pyramid
Self · (1 episode)
2016
Match Game
Self - Panelist · (1 episode)
2016
To Tell the Truth
Self - Panelist · (1 episode)
2016
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
Party Planner
2015
Come Simi
Nurse Lipps
2015
Rebel on Ice
Self
2015
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce
Barbara · (23 episodes)
2014
Sex Ed
Sydney
2014
Muffin Top: A Love Story
Leah
2014
Celebrity Name Game
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (5 episodes)
2014
Hollywood Game Night
Self · (1 episode)
2013
Drunk History
Sylvia Robinson · (1 episode)
2013
Key & Peele
Woman · (1 episode)
2012
Bubble Guppies
General Yuck (voice) · (1 episode)
2011
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
2009
Parks and Recreation
Donna Meagle · (118 episodes)
2009
Kissing Cousins
Shawna the Chef
2008
First Sunday
2008
First Sunday
Roberta
2008
Dragon Wars: D-War
Receptionist Nurse
2007
Sex and Death 101
Ethel Walters (#100)
2007
Fracture
Evidence Room Cop
2007
Lipshitz Saves the World
Virginia · (1 episode)
2007
Freddie
Joan · (1 episode)
2005
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Hardware Store Clerk · (1 episode)
2005
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
Sad Eye Sadie
2003
Slackers
Bruna
2002
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1988