Robby Hoffman: Embracing Uncomfortable Truths

Robby Hoffman, a comedian known for her roles in 'Hacks' and 'Rooster,' discusses her unique perspective shaped by a poor, Hasidic upbringing in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She finds that the "rich weird" is significantly stranger than the "poor weird," noting that generosity is more prevalent in households with less.

Hoffman's comedy, including her Netflix special 'Wake Up,' is deeply influenced by her past. She recounts the struggles of poverty, including sleeping on the floor without air conditioning. Her experiences also inform her views on fame and her relationship with wife Gabby Windey.

Leaving her Hasidic community wasn't immediate; she remained observant until age 19. The transition involved her mother's initiative to seek a different life for her children, providing them with broader educational opportunities. Hoffman later attended a private Jewish school on scholarship.

Navigating high school involved hiding her socioeconomic background and "boyishness." She recalls a friend's advice to adopt more feminine traits, like carrying a purse instead of a backpack. Coming out at 17 was a difficult experience, leading to the loss of friends in her conservative community.

On stage, Hoffman finds freedom and authenticity, describing the feeling as being in a "womb." She believes comedy "chooses you," a calling that significantly altered her initial plans for a more conventional life. Her work often touches on taboo subjects, acknowledging the audience's right to react.

Hoffman has faced backlash from various communities, including pit bull and celiac advocates, finding humor in the specific groups that have publicly criticized her. She contrasts this with more pressing societal issues, like anti-Mexican sentiment.

Her role in 'Hacks' earned her an Emmy nomination, a life-changing experience. She also addresses a critique of her Yiddish line in the show, defending her ad-libbed choices and her mother's fluency.

Hoffman attributes her success to not needing to be part of a "big machine" that divides people, focusing instead on the "rich versus the poor." Her relationship with Gabby Windey, she explains, is built on trust and mutual healing, a chosen family offering stability absent in their upbringings.