Comedian Martha Kelly Finds Fame on TikTok & HBO

Comedian Martha Kelly, known for her dry wit and the "Forehead Corner" TikTok series, has experienced a career resurgence. Since 2019, she has been based in Burbank, California, using social media to connect with fans. Her TikTok presence, which began in 2024, has grown to over 160,000 followers, characterized by personal anecdotes and humorous observations, often enhanced by the "Republican Makeup" filter.

Kelly's role as the drug lord Laurie in HBO's Euphoria, which started in 2022, brought her widespread recognition and an Emmy nomination. The January 2026 release of the Season Three teaser, featuring her character threatening Zendaya's Rue, caused her TikTok page to explode, with many young fans engaging with her online.

Kelly, 58, humorously notes her newfound 'coolness' factor with her college-aged niece. Her career, which includes roles in "Baskets," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Marriage Story," and "Fallout," has seen her voice characters in animated series. Despite decades of work, she struggled for consistency, only securing credit card approval after landing her role in "Baskets."

Originating from Torrance, California, Kelly grew up in a large family and developed a love for comedy through frequent arguments. Inspired by female comedians like Roseanne Barr and Janeane Garofalo in the late Eighties, she pursued stand-up. After numerous early struggles and periods of drinking, her career gained momentum when she began performing at an informal open mic in the Palms neighborhood of Los Angeles, alongside comedians like Zach Galifianakis.

Her career experienced a significant boost in 2014 when Zach Galifianakis cast her as his assistant in the pilot for "Baskets." This role provided stability and confidence, leading to further opportunities. Kelly's performance as Laurie in "Euphoria" presented new challenges, particularly playing a villain. However, she found reassurance from the show's creator, Sam Levinson, and her co-stars, particularly Zendaya, despite initial fears of "ruining" the show.

Kelly describes Laurie as a "snake-in-the-grass sociopath" and anticipates Season Three will explore the character's backstory and a "nemesis." Her experience at the 2022 Emmys, though stressful, was highlighted by a positive experience sitting with other guest actors and later sharing the moment with her niece, whom she brought as her date.