From quirky stand-up shows to heartfelt indie films and viral animated characters, Jenny Slate’s path through Hollywood is one of evolution, vulnerability, and creative risk.
Jenny Slate Biography
Jenny Slate (born March 25, 1982, in Milton, Massachusetts) grew up in a Jewish household, the middle of three daughters. Her mother, Nancy, is a ceramicist, and her father, Ron Slate, worked in communications and technology, besides being a poet. As a child, Jenny attended Hebrew school, had a bat mitzvah, and felt early ties to her cultural roots.
She attended Milton Academy (where she graduated as valedictorian) and later studied literature at Columbia University, graduating in 2004. At Columbia, she helped found the improv group Fruit Paunch, performed in the Varsity Show, and met her longtime collaborator Gabe Liedman.
This educational and creative foundation paved the way for her move into alternative comedy and acting.
ALSO READ: Alyssa Milano: Fame, Activism, Justin Timberlake & David Bugliari Love
Career
Jenny Slate’s career took shape in the New York comedy scene. With Gabe Liedman, she formed the duo Gabe & Jenny, and along with Max Silvestri, they staged Big Terrific, a variety show that gained acclaim in NYC around 2008. Around 2008–2009, she also performed a one-woman show, Jenny Slate: Dead Millionaire, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.
In 2009, Slate joined Saturday Night Live for one season (2009–2010), gaining wider recognition. Over time, her career branched into television, voice acting, film, writing, and producing.
Notable career moves include:
- Her early TV and sketch work (e.g., Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and VH1 commentary)
- Recurring roles in series such as Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, Kroll Show, and Bob’s Burgers.
- Her co-creation (with then-husband Dean Fleischer Camp) of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (shorts, books, and later a feature film)
- Her breakout lead role in Obvious Child (2014) established her as more than a comedic presence
- Voice work in major animated films (The Lorax, Zootopia, The Secret Life of Pets, Lego Batman Movie, Despicable Me 3)
- Dramatic and ensemble roles in films like Gifted, Everything Everywhere All at Once (the cast won a SAG ensemble award)
- Authorial work: books such as Little Weirds and About the House
- Comedy specials, such as Stage Fright (2019) and Jenny Slate: Seasoned Professional.
Through each shift, Slate has balanced humor with introspection, demonstrating that her voice is not just funny, but human.
Jenny Slate Movies
When people talk about Jenny Slate movies, several stand out:
- Obvious Child (2014) — as Donna, a role that blended comedy, heartbreak, and emotional truth.
- Gifted (2017) — supporting role in a touching family drama.
- Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) — part of a groundbreaking ensemble cast.
- Voice roles in big animated films: The Lorax, Zootopia, The Secret Life of Pets, Lego Batman Movie, Despicable Me 3
- Smaller roles or cameos in films that allow her to bring nuance or a quirky spark
Beyond just film titles, her movie work shows her versatility: she can lead, support, voice, or quietly transform a scene with minimal screen time.
Jenny Slate Net Worth
Estimates place Jenny Slate’s net worth at around USD $6 million. This figure takes into account her earnings from acting, voice work, writing, producing, and book sales.
While not among the highest-earning Hollywood stars, Slate’s wealth reflects a steady, diversified career rather than a single blockbuster paycheck. Her creative control on projects like Marcel the Shell and her authorship help supplement her acting income.
ALSO READ: Gerard Butler: His Rise to Fame, Priyanka Chopra & Penny Lane Love
Jenny Slate Family
Jenny Slate’s family life is woven into her identity and public narrative:
- She has two sisters, Abigail and Stacey.
- Her parents are Ron Slate and Nancy Slate (née Gilson).
- Her father’s background includes tech/communications work and poetry, while her mother is a ceramicist.
- In her adult life, Jenny had high-visibility romantic relationships, which often merged with her public persona (see next sections).
- With her husband Ben Shattuck, she has one daughter, Ida Lupine Shattuck, born in late 2020.
- Although the family keeps many details private, Slate occasionally shares glimpses (especially about motherhood) in interviews and on social media.
Her family ties provide a grounding contrast to her public life, a reminder that behind the comedian is a person navigating relationships, parenthood, and creative work.
Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp
Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp share both personal and creative history. They were married in September 2012. Their collaboration birthed Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (shorts, books), a unique, charming project in which Jenny voiced the character and co-wrote with Dean directing.
However, by May 2016, they announced their separation. Reports suggest they remained amicable collaborators even after divorce, acknowledging that their relationship evolved. Their shared creative legacy remains an important chapter in Slate’s biography.
Jenny Slate and Chris Evans
After her split from Dean, Slate’s name became linked romantically to Chris Evans (of Captain America fame). The relationship reportedly began around mid-2016 and lasted into 2018 (or thereabouts). Their time together was intensely covered in tabloids, partly because both had strong public profiles.
Slate has also acknowledged the ups and downs publicly, indicating that those years were among her “hardest years.” While their romance ended, the relationship often surfaces in discussions about her emotional growth and her willingness to be transparent about love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
Jenny Slate and Ben Shattuck
Jenny Slate’s current and more permanent partner is Ben Shattuck, an artist, writer, and curator. They reportedly became engaged in 2019. The pandemic caused multiple postponements of their wedding, and ultimately, they married in their living room on December 31, 2021.
Their daughter, Ida Lupine Shattuck, was born in late 2020 (Slate announced her birth in February 2021). They often present themselves as a creative and supportive family, and Slate has spoken in interviews about how motherhood deeply shifted her priorities.
As of 2025, Slate and Shattuck appear to enjoy a relatively stable and low-drama relationship compared to her earlier public romances.
Jenny Slate Controversies
While Jenny Slate generally has a reputation for being honest, introspective, and self-questioning, she has not entirely escaped controversy.
Big Mouth and racial representation
One major controversy stemmed from her earlier role as the voice of Missy on Big Mouth. Initially, she defended voicing the biracial character by reasoning that Missy’s mother was white and Jewish, but later acknowledged that this logic was flawed. In June 2020, Slate publicly apologized and stepped away from voicing Missy, stating that “Black characters on an animated show should be played by Black people.”
This decision was part of a broader reckoning in media about representation and privilege.
Allegations and HR complaint
In 2025, reports emerged that Slate filed a complaint (to Sony) in relation to issues around a security deposit and conduct by a company contact on the It Ends With Us set. The original article was later edited by The Hollywood Reporter.
Public reaction has been polarized. Some have criticized Slate for what they believe was an overreaction; others defend that every creator has the right to boundaries and workplace comfort. (Note: these are media allegations and rumors; Slate has selectively responded and refused to publicly discuss all facets.)
Slate has also kept a careful line in interviews about her involvement in the It Ends With Us legal drama, choosing to focus on her work rather than media spin.
Wardrobe malfunction
At the 2023 Oscars, Slate experienced a memorable wardrobe malfunction when her dress split, exposing part of her rear. She later joked about it during a Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance, recounting the anxiety and improvised damage control.
These controversies, from casting decisions to workplace complaints to on-stage embarrassments, show that Slate navigates spotlight storms with a mix of honesty, humor, and caution.
Jenny Slate Age
As of 2025, Jenny Slate is 43 years old (born March 25, 1982). Despite her age, she continues to experiment with form and role, refusing to be pigeonholed by her early success or by the “comedian” label.
Jenny Slate Instagram
Jenny Slate is active on Instagram under the handle (@jennyslate). Her account features a mix of behind-the-scenes glimpses, candid life moments (especially as a mother), project announcements, and reflections on art, identity, and vulnerability.
Through her Instagram, fans get a softer, more personal side of the person behind the performer, a place where she sometimes speaks directly, further breaking down the barrier between celebrity and everyday person.
Final Thoughts
Jenny Slate’s journey is compelling not because she’s a flawless star, but because she embodies creative restlessness, emotional honesty, and transformation. From her early improv performances in New York to her film roles, voice acting, authorship, and motherhood, she has never been content to repeat herself.
Whether making us laugh or breaking our hearts, Jenny Slate continues to defy easy categorization. Her story is ongoing, and that’s part of her allure.
ALSO READ: Justin Timberlake: Fame & Scandal From Britney Spears to Jessica Biel