Few comedic performers in modern entertainment possess the fearless physicality, eccentric vocal mastery, and uncompromising commitment to the bizarre as Amy Sedaris. Whether playing an unhinged 46-year-old high school freshman, an anxious feline Hollywood talent manager, or a galaxy-hopping starship mechanic, Sedaris elevates every scene she enters.

Rising to national acclaim through Chicago’s legendary Second City touring company alongside lifelong creative partners Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert, Sedaris has assembled an astonishingly diverse filmography spanning cult cable classics, prestige streaming dramas, Hollywood blockbusters, and surreal variety television.

Below, we rank the 12 greatest Amy Sedaris movies and TV shows of all time.

1. Strangers with Candy (1999–2000)

Role: Geraldine “Jerri” Antonia Blank
There is simply no discussing Amy Sedaris without beginning at Flatpoint High School. Co-created with Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, and Mitch Rouse, Strangers with Candy stands as a watershed moment in American alternative comedy. Sedaris’ portrayal of Jerri Blank—a 46-year-old former runaway, prostitute, and convict returning to high school—is a tour de force of physical comedy. With buck teeth, asymmetrical wigs, and high-waisted Sansabelt slacks, Sedaris created a character completely devoid of vanity whose moral compass invariably pointed toward catastrophe.

2. BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)

Role: Princess Carolyn (Voice)
As Princess Carolyn, the hyper-competent, hopelessly loyal Persian cat talent agent and producer on Netflix’s acclaimed animated masterpiece, Sedaris delivered the emotional performance of her career. Amidst rapid-fire tongue-twisters (“You’re the manager of the B-team manager!”), Sedaris brought profound poignancy to a woman constantly sacrificing her personal happiness for ungrateful clients. The episode “The Amelia Earhart Story” remains a masterclass in voice acting.

3. At Home with Amy Sedaris (2017–2020)

Role: Amy Sedaris / Patty Hogg / Nutmeg
Reuniting with long-time collaborator Paul Dinello (who served as consulting producer and writer), this two-time Emmy-nominated truTV series channeled Sedaris’ real-life passion for hospitality, crafting, and cooking into a fever-dream parody of 1960s daytime homemaking shows. Playing multiple characters—including the terrifying regional busybody Patty Hogg—Sedaris turned glued pom-poms and canned meat into high comedic art.

4. The Mandalorian & The Book of Boba Fett (2019–Present)

Role: Peli Motto
Sedaris made an unforgettable entrance into the Star Wars universe as Peli Motto, the frizzy-haired, pit-droid-commanding Mos Eisley hangar mechanic. Bringing a distinct touch of vintage New York street attitude to the sands of Tatooine, her warm maternal rapport with Grogu (“Baby Yoda”) and comedic banter with Pedro Pascal instantly established her as a fan-favorite across the galaxy.

5. Elf (2003)

Role: Deb
In Jon Favreau’s modern holiday classic, Sedaris plays Deb, the patient yet secretly exasperated secretary to James Caan’s cynical children’s book publisher, Walter Hobbs. Her hilarious, deadpan interactions with Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf—cheerfully declining his invitation to eat shredded paper or marveling at his hyper-speed snowflake decorations—anchor some of the film’s coziest comedic beats.

6. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019)

Role: Mimi Kanasis
As the manic, vodka-swilling Manhattan socialite friend to Jane Krakowski’s Jacqueline White, Sedaris unleashed pure chaos across Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s acclaimed sitcom. Mimi’s absolute desperation for social relevance and erratic physical breakdowns provided some of the show’s most uproarious recurring punchlines.

7. Exit 57 (1995–1996)

Role: Various Ensemble Characters
Before Strangers with Candy, this half-hour Comedy Central sketch showcase introduced the dynamic comedic alchemy of Sedaris, Paul Dinello, and Stephen Colbert to national audiences. Nominated for five CableACE Awards, the series highlighted Sedaris’ chameleon-like versatility across suburban nightmare scenarios and absurd vignettes.

8. Maid in Manhattan (2002)

Role: Rachel Hoffberg
Stepping into the glossy world of studio romantic comedy, Sedaris offered a delightfully sharp turn opposite Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes as Rachel Hoffberg, a gossipy Manhattan social climber whose snooty pretension is constantly undermined by hilarious social awkwardness.

9. Broad City (2014–2019)

Role: Pam
Sedaris made a memorable guest appearance in Season 1 as Pam, an eccentric real estate broker who guides Ilana and Abbi through a series of increasingly nightmarish New York apartment viewings (including an apartment that is literally just a bathroom with a hotplate).

10. School of Rock (2003)

Role: Mrs. Lemmons
In Richard Linklater’s beloved musical comedy, Sedaris provided a brief but memorable cameo during the frantic parental meetings at Horace Green Prep, demonstrating her peerless ability to extract huge laughs from minimal screen time.

11. Search Party (2016–2022)

Role: Lorna
In this dark satirical millennial thriller, Sedaris played Lorna, the self-absorbed, eccentric mother to John Reynolds’ Drew. Her complete refusal to take her son’s murder-investigation anxieties seriously provided a pitch-perfect tonal contrast to the series’ paranoia.

12. Strangers with Candy (The Feature Film, 2005)

Role: Jerri Blank
Directed by Paul Dinello and co-written with Colbert and Sedaris, this feature-length prequel captured the Sundance Film Festival with its unapologetic, anarchic energy. Sedaris reunited with her favorite collaborators, demonstrating once again that Jerri Blank remains an immortal titan of American comedy.

For more archival insights into Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello’s creative partnership, read our restored feature on Wigfield and Second City and explore the Official Paul Dinello Biography.