Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson, born on December 21, 1989, is a multifaceted American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is best known for her role as Janine Teagues, a second-grade teacher, in the critically acclaimed ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, which she not only created but also serves as executive producer and co-writer.

Brunson first gained widespread recognition in 2014 with her self-produced Instagram series, Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date. This success propelled her into the spotlight, leading her to produce and act in various videos for BuzzFeed Video, where she also developed two streaming series with BuzzFeed Motion Pictures.

Her remarkable talent has earned her significant accolades, including becoming the first Black woman to receive three nominations in the comedy category at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. She won the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and was also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. At the following Emmy ceremony, she made history again by being the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy in over 40 years.

In addition to her work on Abbott Elementary, Brunson has appeared in various television series, including iZombie, Single Parents, and Miracle Workers. She has lent her voice to characters in Lazor Wulf and Magical Girl Friendship Squad, and was featured in the first season of HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show. Her contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized when she received a Peabody Award in 2022 and was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2022.