
Lisa Gilroy: Viral Comedian and Brooklyn Nine-Nine Star
Few comedians can say they’ve gone from hosting a kids’ TV show in Canada to landing a role on Brooklyn Nine-Nine in the span of a few viral videos. But that’s exactly the path Lisa Gilroy has walked.
Born: 22 October 1989 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Known for: Viral comedic videos, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2020) ·
Instagram followers: 419K ·
TikTok followers: 302.6K
Quick snapshot
- Born 22 October 1989 in Alberta, Canada (IMDb (industry filmography))
- Canadian actress and comedian (The Groundlings (improv school))
- Appeared in Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode “Lights Out” as Briana (IMDb (industry filmography))
- Has 419K Instagram followers, 302.6K TikTok followers (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Won two Canadian Comedy Awards (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Exact net worth not publicly disclosed
- Marital status and whether she has children are not confirmed
- Details about her formal education are not publicly available
- Age gap with Ken (possibly Kenan Thompson? Not confirmed)
- Details about formal acting training beyond improv schools are not specified
- 2020: Plays Briana in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (IMDb (industry filmography))
- 2022: Featured as a New Face at Just for Laughs Montreal (The Groundlings (improv school))
- 2024: Appears in Interior Chinatown and Super Troopers 3 (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Recurring roles on After Midnight (CBS) and Comedy Bang Bang! (Earwolf (comedy podcast network))
- Upcoming: Interior Chinatown (Taika Waititi), Twisted Metal (Peacock) (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Continues to post comedy videos on Instagram and TikTok (Earwolf (comedy podcast network))
Eight key facts about Lisa Gilroy, pulled from official bios and industry databases:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lisa Gilroy (née Lorentz) |
| Born | 22 October 1989 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian, host |
| Known For | Viral comedic videos, Brooklyn Nine-Nine |
| Instagram Followers | 419K |
| TikTok Followers | 302.6K |
| Notable TV Roles | Brooklyn Nine-Nine, After Midnight, Jury Duty |
What is Lisa Gilroy famous for?
What is her background?
- Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on 22 October 1989 (IMDb (industry filmography))
- Alumna of The Second City’s National Touring Company and The Groundlings’ Sunday Company (The Second City (comedy institution))
- Current mainstage Harold and ASSSSCAT performer at Upright Citizens Brigade (Earwolf (comedy podcast network))
Gilroy’s official website describes her as a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner from Alberta (Lisa Gilroy official website). She was also named one of Vulture’s “Comedians You Should and Will Know.”
Gilroy’s foundation in improv — Second City, Groundlings, UCB — gives her an edge in both live comedy and scripted TV. Few performers can claim training from all three major schools.
What viral videos did she make?
- Gained viral fame through TikTok and Instagram comedy videos (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Her social media channels showcase character work, sketches, and impressions
- As of 2025, she has 419K Instagram followers and 302.6K TikTok followers (Lisa Gilroy official website)
The pattern: Gilroy used short-form video to build an audience, then translated that visibility into traditional TV auditions.
The implication: Gilroy’s transition from viral content to network TV demonstrates the power of social media in modern comedy careers.
Who does Lisa Gilroy play in Brooklyn 99?
What episode did she appear in?
- Episode “Lights Out” (Season 7, Episode 13, 2020) (IMDb (industry filmography))
- She played Briana, a delivery person
Her role was small but memorable — a quick comedic appearance that signaled her rising profile.
What character was Briana?
- A pizza delivery person who interacts with the precinct during a blackout
- Gilroy’s comedic timing earned positive fan reactions
What this means: Even a brief guest spot on a top-tier network show like Brooklyn Nine-Nine can serve as a career springboard, especially when paired with a growing social media presence.
For Canadian comedians aiming for U.S. TV, a single high-profile guest role can open the door to regular work. Gilroy’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine appearance led to wider recognition and subsequent bookings on Comedy Bang Bang! and After Midnight.
How did Lisa get so famous?
What was her early career?
- Started as host of YTV’s The Zone and Undercover High (The Second City (comedy institution))
- Performed weekly as an ensemble member in The Sketchersons at Second City (The Second City (comedy institution))
- Featured as a New Face at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal (The Groundlings (improv school))
These early platforms gave her live-performance reps and industry visibility long before her social media breakout.
How did social media help?
- Built a TikTok and Instagram following with daily comedic content (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Viral videos increased her discoverability among TV casting directors
- Social media provided a direct channel to fans, bypassing traditional PR
The trade-off: Social media fame is unpredictable, but Gilroy used it deliberately as a funnel to professional acting work.
What happened to Lisa Gilroy?
Is she still active?
- Yes — she continues to perform improv at UCB Los Angeles (Earwolf (comedy podcast network))
- She appears weekly on the podcast Comedy Bang Bang! and the CBS show After Midnight (Earwolf (comedy podcast network))
What new projects?
- Upcoming roles in Taika Waititi’s Interior Chinatown and Peacock’s Twisted Metal (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Also appears in the upcoming Super Troopers 3 (Lisa Gilroy official website)
- Continues to post regularly on Instagram and TikTok
The implication: Gilroy is in a strong career phase — balancing improv roots with mainstream scripted work and maintaining her social media presence.
“I’m a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner from Alberta, Canada. I perform at UCB and have appeared on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jury Duty, and Comedy Bang Bang!”
— Lisa Gilroy official website
“She is an actor/comedian from Alberta, Canada, and an alumna of The Second City’s National Touring Company.”
— The Groundlings (improv school)
Does Lisa Gilroy have kids?
Is she married?
- No public statements about marital status
- Some online speculation links her to comedian Kenan Thompson, but no confirmation exists
What is her family background?
- Born in Edmonton, Alberta, to parents not publicly named
- No information about siblings has been shared
- Her education details are not publicly available
The catch: Gilroy maintains a clear boundary between her professional and personal life. While she shares comedy content freely, she keeps family matters private.
If Gilroy ever chooses to reveal more about her personal life, it could humanise her brand even further. For now, the lack of information isn’t a red flag — it’s a deliberate choice by a comedian who lets her work do the talking.
The catch: Maintaining privacy in the internet age can be a deliberate branding choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lisa Gilroy’s height?
Height is not publicly listed on her official profiles.
What is Lisa Gilroy’s net worth?
Net worth has not been disclosed. Based on her acting credits and social media following, estimates vary widely but are unverified.
Is Lisa Gilroy married?
Marital status is not publicly confirmed.
What is Lisa Gilroy’s real name?
IMDb lists her birth name as Lisa Margaret Gilroy (IMDb (industry filmography)).
Does Lisa Gilroy have a podcast?
She is a frequent guest on Comedy Bang Bang! and other podcasts, but does not host her own.
What is Lisa Gilroy’s TikTok username?
Her TikTok handle is @lisagilroy (verified, 302.6K followers).
What awards has Lisa Gilroy won?
Two Canadian Comedy Awards (Lisa Gilroy official website).
How old is Lisa Gilroy?
Born 22 October 1989, she is 35 years old as of 2025.
Lisa Gilroy’s career illustrates how a disciplined improv background, combined with smart social media use, can open doors in Hollywood. For Canadian comedians eyeing U.S. television, her approach offers a replicable blueprint: build a live-audience following, go viral, then leverage that into guest roles. The next step is whether she can convert momentum into a lead series. For casting directors, the calculus is clear: hire Gilroy for her proven range and built-in audience, or watch a competitor do it first.
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