Heidi Lynn Gardner is an American actress, comedian, and writer who became famous for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. She spent eight seasons on SNL from 2017 to 2025, creating memorable characters like Bailey Gismert and Angel. The Kansas City native has built a successful career in comedy and voice acting while maintaining strong ties to her Midwest roots.
Heidi Gardner Biography
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Heidi Lynn Gardner |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | July 27, 1983 |
| Age | 42 years (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Current residence | Leawood, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Green |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Zeb Wells (divorced 2023) |
| Children | None |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas, University of Missouri, The Groundlings |
| Profession | Actress, comedian, writer |
| Net worth | $5-6 million (estimated) |
Who is Heidi Gardner?
Heidi Gardner is a talented actress and comedian best known for her eight-season run on Saturday Night Live.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, she graduated from Notre Dame de Sion, an all-girls Catholic high school, where she was voted “Most likely to be a cast member of Saturday Night Live.”
She joined SNL in 2017 during Season 43 as a featured player and was promoted to repertory status in 2019.
Her run on the show ended in 2025 following Season 50, making her one of the show’s most beloved cast members.
How old is Heidi Gardner? Age and birthday
Heidi Gardner is 42 years old as of January 2026. She was born on July 27, 1983, in Kansas City, Missouri. Her zodiac sign is Leo.
Heidi Gardner’s height, weight, and body measurements
Heidi Gardner stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds (59 kg). She has blonde hair and green eyes. Her body measurements are 35-25-35 inches.
What is Heidi Gardner’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Heidi Gardner’s net worth is estimated between $5 million and $6 million. She built this fortune through her eight-season run on Saturday Night Live, voice acting work, and film appearances.
During her time on SNL, Gardner earned roughly $15,000 per episode. As a repertory cast member, this added up to a comfortable annual salary from the show alone.
Her net worth also includes earnings from her voice work in animated films, guest appearances on television shows, and her Broadway performances.
Career
Early career beginnings
Heidi Gardner’s path to comedy was not straightforward. She attended the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri before moving to Los Angeles.
For nine years, she worked as a hairstylist at a salon to support herself while pursuing her comedy dreams.
In 2011, Gardner enrolled in classes at The Groundlings, a famous Los Angeles improv theater. She worked her way through the levels, joining the Sunday Company in 2014 and reaching the Main Company in 2015. At that point, she quit her hairstyling job to focus full-time on acting.
Voice acting work
Before joining SNL, Gardner built an impressive voice acting resume. She regularly appeared on animated series including Bratz, SuperMansion, and Mike Tyson Mysteries.
Saturday Night Live career
Gardner joined SNL in September 2017 for Season 43. She quickly became known for creating memorable recurring characters. Her most famous characters include:
Bailey Gismert – A ditzy teenage internet film critic who appeared on Weekend Update. The character was known for her vocal fry, emotional reactions, and inappropriate crushes on movie characters. Bailey appeared six times from 2018 through 2020.
Angel – Every boxer’s girlfriend from every boxing movie ever. This parody character appeared on Weekend Update in 2017 and became an instant hit.
Other notable sketches include Floribama Shore, RV Life, The Perfect Mother, and the Beavis and Butthead sketch where Gardner couldn’t stop laughing, creating one of SNL’s most viral moments.
Gardner left SNL in August 2025 after Season 50. Speaking on the Joy podcast with Craig Ferguson, she revealed her reasons: “The only thing that I’ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue or idea fatigue.”
Film and television work
Beyond SNL, Gardner has appeared in several films and TV shows. Her film credits include:
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) – voiced the Last Baker
- Leo (2023) – voiced Eli’s mom
- Scary Movie 6 (2026) – upcoming horror comedy reboot
She has also made guest appearances on television shows including Shrinking, Girls5Eva, Veep, The Other Two, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and You.
Broadway debut
Gardner made her Broadway debut in January 2026 in the comedy show All Out: Comedy About Ambition at the Nederlander Theatre.
She performed alongside Sarah Silverman, Jason Mantzoukas, and Craig Robinson from January 20 through February 15, 2026.
Is Heidi Gardner married? Husband, divorce, and relationship status
Heidi Gardner is currently divorced. She was married to Zeb Wells from 2010 to 2023. Wells is a Marvel Comics writer best known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man, Robot Chicken, and other projects. The couple met while Gardner was a member of The Groundlings.
Gardner and Wells separated in 2023 after 13 years of marriage. She announced the split publicly in March 2024 on The Liz Moody Podcast. Speaking about the breakup, she said: “I went through the most painful and uncomfortable experience of my life.
We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart.”
The couple did not have any children during their marriage.
As of January 2026, Gardner resides in Leawood, Kansas, in a mid-century modern house she purchased in 2021. She has since remodeled the home, which was featured in Architectural Digest in October 2024.
Family background
Heidi Gardner comes from a Kansas City family. Her mother, Erny Huelke, worked as a travel agent, which exposed Gardner to the travel world from a young age. Her father is Rick Gardner. She has at least one sibling, a brother named Justin Gardner, and grandparents she affectionately calls “mamo and bampo.”
Gardner is a devoted fan of Kansas City sports teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. She has spoken openly about her love for her hometown and maintains strong connections to the area.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Heidi Gardner has approximately 398,000 followers on Instagram (@heidilgardner).
She uses the platform to share updates about her career, behind-the-scenes moments, and personal interests. Her social media content reflects her comedic personality and connection to Kansas City culture.
Fast facts about Heidi Gardner
- Gardner was voted “Most likely to be a cast member of Saturday Night Live” by her high school classmates years before she actually joined the show.
- She worked as a hairstylist for nine years in Los Angeles to support herself while pursuing comedy.
- Her mother was a travel agent, which sparked Gardner’s lifelong interest in travel.
- She played flute in her school band at Notre Dame de Sion High School.
- Gardner attended both the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri before moving to Los Angeles.
- She was a member of The Groundlings for four years before joining SNL.
- Her viral Beavis and Butthead SNL sketch became famous because she couldn’t stop laughing during the live performance.
- Gardner owns a mid-century modern home in Leawood, Kansas, that was featured in Architectural Digest in 2024.
- She is a passionate supporter of Kansas City sports teams, particularly the Chiefs and Royals.
- Her parents love to work their famous daughter into all their conversations, as Gardner revealed on Conan in 2020.
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Wrapping up
Heidi Gardner has established herself as one of comedy’s most versatile performers. From her eight-year run on Saturday Night Live to her voice acting work and Broadway debut, she continues to expand her creative reach.
After leaving SNL in 2025, Gardner is focusing on new projects, including her role in Scary Movie 6 and Broadway performances. She maintains strong ties to her Kansas City roots while building an impressive career in entertainment.
References
- Wikipedia. “Heidi Gardner”.
- IMDb. “Heidi Gardner – Biography”.
- Reality Tea. “Heidi Gardner Net Worth 2025: How Much Money Does She Make?”.
- People. “SNL star Heidi Gardner, Zeb Wells Break Up”.
- Deadline. “‘Scary Movie 6’ Casts Damon Wayans Jr., Heidi Gardner, Chris Elliott, More”.
- Architectural Digest. “Inside SNL Star Heidi Gardner’s Midcentury Home”.
- KCUR. “How Kansas City Native Heidi Gardner Ended Up on Saturday Night Live”.
- Travel and Leisure. “‘SNL’ Star Heidi Gardner on Her Love for Hometown Kansas City”.
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