Actress
Lena Waithe
- Born: 17 May 1984, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Estimated net worth: $10 million
Lena Waithe is an acclaimed actress, producer, and writer known for her work in television and film. She gained recognition for her role in the series 'Master of None' and created the series 'The Chi'. Waithe is celebrated for her authentic storytelling and…
Lena Waithe: best films and shows
About Lena Waithe
Lena Waithe is an acclaimed actress, producer, and writer known for her work in television and film. She gained recognition for her role in the series 'Master of None' and created the series 'The Chi'. Waithe is celebrated for her authentic storytelling and representation of the LGBTQ+ community, often featuring strong, complex characters in her projects.
- Born
- 17 May 1984, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Known for
- Acting
- Height
- 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
- Children
- 1 child, name not publicly known
- Parents
- Lena Waithe's mother, Lori Waithe; father, name not publicly known
- Estimated net worth
- $10 million
Fun facts about Lena Waithe
- Lena Waithe was the first Black woman to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
- She is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Hollywood.
Famous Lena Waithe quotes
“I’m just a girl from Chicago trying to get my story out.”
“You can't be afraid to put yourself out there.”
“I want to tell stories that matter.”
Lena Waithe filmography
Cast (47)
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Place to Be Movie | Shy | |
| 2026 | Mating Season TV | Alex (voice) | 8.0 |
| 2025 | Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television TV | Self | 2.1 |
| 2025 | Reclaim the Flag Movie | Self | 5.5 |
| 2025 | It's Dorothy! Movie | Self | 4.0 |
| 2025 | Good Hang with Amy Poehler TV | Unknown character | 5.5 |
| 2024 | Hollywood Black TV | Self | 3.0 |
| 2023 | Being Mary Tyler Moore Movie | Self (voice) | 6.7 |
| 2023 | House Party Movie | Self | 5.6 |
| 2022 | Sherri TV | Self - Guest | 2.6 |
Show 37 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration Movie | Unknown character | 4.4 |
| 2022 | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder TV | College Maya (voice) | 5.3 |
| 2021 | 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Movie | Self | 4.0 |
| 2021 | Twenties After-Show With B. Scott TV | Self - Guest | 1.0 |
| 2021 | The One and Only Dick Gregory Movie | Self | 7.9 |
| 2021 | Bad Hair Movie | Brook-Lynne | 5.6 |
| 2021 | Amend: The Fight for America TV | Self | 7.1 |
| 2020 | Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 Movie | Self | 8.6 |
| 2020 | #blackAF TV | Lena Waithe | 6.0 |
| 2020 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire TV | Self - Contestant | 9.2 |
| 2020 | You Ain't Got These TV | Unknown character | |
| 2020 | Onward Movie | Officer Spector (voice) | 7.6 |
| 2020 | Visible: Out on Television TV | Self - Narrator (voice) | 6.8 |
| 2019 | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner TV | Self | 6.3 |
| 2019 | A Black Lady Sketch Show TV | Office Employee | 7.1 |
| 2018 | The Shop TV | Self | 5.3 |
| 2018 | Ready Player One Movie | Aech / Helen | 7.6 |
| 2018 | The Chi TV | Camille Hallaway | 7.9 |
| 2017 | Big Mouth TV | Lena (voice) | 7.6 |
| 2017 | Steve TV | Self | 6.0 |
| 2017 | Dear White People TV | P. Ninny | 6.0 |
| 2016 | Westworld TV | Ash | 8.0 |
| 2016 | This Is Us TV | Animal Shelter Clerk | 8.2 |
| 2015 | Master of None TV | Denise Watkins | 7.4 |
| 2015 | Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter TV | Self | 6.2 |
| 2014 | Transparent TV | Jane | 6.4 |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen TV | Self - Guest | 4.9 |
| 2009 | RuPaul's Drag Race TV | Self - Guest Judge | 7.5 |
| 2005 | The Comeback TV | Summer | 7.4 |
| 2005 | Grey's Anatomy TV | Evynn Moore | 8.2 |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV | Self - Guest | 5.3 |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV | Self - Guest Host | 5.3 |
| 1997 | The View TV | Self | 4.3 |
| 1996 | The Daily Show TV | Self | 6.4 |
| 1959 | The Grammys TV | Self | 8.6 |
| 1953 | The Oscars TV | Self | 7.1 |
| TBA | Untitled Friendship Breakup Film Movie | Unknown character |
Crew (60)
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Long's Long Lost & Mini Mart Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 5.0 |
| 2025 | Window Cleaners Movie | Executive Music Producer · Crew | |
| 2025 | Honey Bare Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| 2025 | Move Ya Body: The Birth of House Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.0 |
| 2024 | Corpse Fishing Movie | Executive Producer · Production |
Show 55 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tender Thoughts Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 10.0 |
| 2024 | Meal Ticket Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 8.0 |
| 2024 | Play Hard Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 8.0 |
| 2024 | Bitter Leaf Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.0 |
| 2023 | Sarajin Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 8.5 |
| 2023 | Kokomo City Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.7 |
| 2023 | Last Days of the Lab Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.0 |
| 2023 | My Nights Glow Yellow Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 8.0 |
| 2023 | Order for Pickup Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| 2023 | Sorry Grandpa Hsiao Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.0 |
| 2023 | A Thousand and One Movie | Producer · Production | 6.6 |
| 2023 | Being Mary Tyler Moore Movie | Producer · Production | 6.7 |
| 2023 | Chang Can Dunk Movie | Producer · Production | 6.7 |
| 2022 | The 25th Filial Exemplar Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 10.0 |
| 2022 | Beauty Movie | Producer · Production | 4.8 |
| 2022 | Beauty Movie | Writer · Writing | 4.8 |
| 2022 | 100% USDA Certified Organic Homemade Tofu Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 9.0 |
| 2022 | Crooked Trees Gon Give Me Wings Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 9.0 |
| 2022 | Beast Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.0 |
| 2022 | Black Santa Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| 2021 | Artistic Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| 2021 | The One and Only Dick Gregory Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.9 |
| 2021 | Only the Moon Stands Still Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 9.0 |
| 2021 | Soñadora Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.0 |
| 2021 | Shoebox Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 8.0 |
| 2021 | Them TV | Executive Producer · Production | 7.6 |
| 2021 | The Beauty President Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.0 |
| 2020 | You Love Me Movie | Screenplay · Writing | |
| 2020 | The Forty-Year-Old Version Movie | Producer · Production | 6.7 |
| 2019 | Queen & Slim Movie | Producer · Production | 7.1 |
| 2019 | Queen & Slim Movie | Story · Writing | 7.1 |
| 2019 | Queen & Slim Movie | Screenplay · Writing | 7.1 |
| 2019 | Fragile.com Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 4.1 |
| 2019 | Boomerang TV | Creator · Creator | 8.0 |
| 2018 | Rising Movie | Writer · Writing | 3.0 |
| 2018 | Step Sisters Movie | Producer · Production | 6.4 |
| 2018 | The Chi TV | Writer · Writing | 7.9 |
| 2018 | The Chi TV | Creator · Creator | 7.9 |
| 2018 | The Chi TV | Creator · Crew | 7.9 |
| 2018 | The Chi TV | Executive Producer · Production | 7.9 |
| 2015 | Master of None TV | Co-Executive Producer · Production | 7.4 |
| 2015 | Master of None TV | Executive Producer · Production | 7.4 |
| 2015 | Master of None TV | Writer · Writing | 7.4 |
| 2014 | Ladylike Movie | Consulting Producer · Production | |
| 2014 | Dear White People Movie | Producer · Production | 6.1 |
| 2010 | I Will Follow Movie | Production Coordinator · Production | 4.8 |
| 2005 | Bones TV | Writer · Writing | 8.2 |
| TBA | Grand Rising Movie | Writer · Writing | |
| TBA | Grand Rising Movie | Producer · Production | |
| TBA | Such a Fun Age Movie | Producer · Production | |
| TBA | FREYR Movie | Executive Producer · Production | |
| TBA | Untitled Friendship Breakup Film Movie | Producer · Production | |
| TBA | Untitled Friendship Breakup Film Movie | Writer · Writing | |
| TBA | Talent Show Movie | Screenplay · Writing | |
| TBA | Talent Show Movie | Executive Producer · Production |
Latest releases
- Place to Be2026
- Reclaim the Flag2025 / TMDB 5.5
- It's Dorothy!2025 / TMDB 4.0
- Being Mary Tyler Moore2023 / TMDB 6.7
- House Party2023 / TMDB 5.6
- Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration2022 / TMDB 4.4
Questions about Lena Waithe
What are some of Lena Waithe's career highlights?
Lena Waithe's career highlights include winning an Emmy Award for 'Master of None' and creating the critically acclaimed series 'The Chi'. She has also appeared in films like 'Ready Player One' and 'Queen & Slim'.
Has Lena Waithe won any awards?
Yes, Lena Waithe won an Emmy Award in 2017 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her work on 'Master of None'. She has received multiple nominations for her contributions to television and film.
What was Lena Waithe's first film?
Lena Waithe's first film role was in 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco' (2019), where she played a supporting character. Her career began in television with writing and producing before transitioning to film.
What are some of Lena Waithe's most successful films?
Some of Lena Waithe's most successful films include 'Ready Player One' (2018) and 'Queen & Slim' (2019). Both films received critical acclaim and showcased her talent in diverse roles.
What is known about Lena Waithe's personal life?
Lena Waithe is private about her personal life but has openly discussed her identity as a queer Black woman. She has been involved in advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the entertainment industry.
What is Lena Waithe's estimated net worth?
Lena Waithe's estimated net worth is around $10 million, reflecting her success as an actress, writer, and producer in the entertainment industry.
What are some milestones in Lena Waithe's filmography?
Milestones in Lena Waithe's filmography include her Emmy win, her role in 'Master of None', and her influence as the creator of 'The Chi'. She continues to take on significant roles in both film and television.
What upcoming projects does Lena Waithe have?
Lena Waithe is set to star in 'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' (2024), which will further showcase her talent in both acting and storytelling. She continues to develop new projects in film and television.