COMEDIAN AND ACTRESS Caitlin Reilly HAS imitated everyone
FROM WELLNESS INFLUENCERS TO OVERCONFIDENT HOLLYWOOD archetypes.
Her spot impressions have made her a rising star that’s bound to appear on your feed sooner or later. A classically trained actress who studied at London’s prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Reilly first built a devoted following on social media by turning everyday cultural types into hilariously accurate characters.
Since then, she has translated that online success into acting roles in film and television while continuing to create the kind of comedy that feels both wildly specific and universally relatable. Reilly believes that trusting her instincts has shaped her career, and the dream she still hopes to manifest: a return to the theater stage. Read more about Catlin Reilly’s journey in the C&C 100 interview below.
Did you always know you wanted to be a comedian, or did this path find you?
I had always gravitated towards comedy as a child. I exclusively watched Comedy Central way too young, as well as MadTV. I was also obsessed with Johnny Carson and Tracey Ullman. Watched a tape of Carson's “best of” every day after school for years. After I graduated high school, I went to theater school and took myself way too seriously for a few years. Once I was out of that experience, I fell back in love with comedy again and it felt like coming back to myself.
When you were first starting out, was there ever a moment where you felt unseen while pursuing this career? What kept you going in those uncertain times?
Pretty much all the time and most days, I felt unseen. Still do sometimes! That never ends. It’s all uncertain. Being an actor is very hard on your confidence and sense of self. You have to have a strong internal foundation. I’ve been hustling at this since I was 17, and I’ll say the thing that has kept me going is committing myself to the art of it, and not the outcome. Continue to do it because you love it.
When presented with an opportunity (whether a new role or brand deal), how important is it for you to follow your gut? And did that instinct come naturally to you or did it have to be developed over time?
It’s paramount for me. I learned very quickly that betting on myself and listening to my instinct was always the best option. If something didn’t feel aligned with me and who I was, I didn’t involve myself. That instinct is in all of us and the world is designed to tell us to not act on it, but I think it's our biggest strength as artists.
As you’ve gained popularity, how have you learned to navigate protecting your private life? How do you determine what feels safe to share publicly versus keep private?
I approach social media very differently now. I don’t post my family or my husband. I don’t share as much personal stuff as I used to, because the internet is lawless. But I am still dedicated to using my platform for causes I believe in. I think taking up space that way is far more valuable.
“I learned very quickly that betting on myself and listening to my instinct was always the best option.”
Talent is often the baseline that gets people in the door—what do you feel is your IT factor that’s made you stand out?
I truthfully don’t know. I would say my teeth. They’re big and expressive. Hard to get out of your mind.
What’s a project or moment you’re especially proud of—and why?
I’ve been so proud of every film and show I’ve been on because it still feels like a miracle every time someone wants me to be involved. But I’d say I’m most proud of the moment I made for myself at a time when no doors were open for me. I started to put my comedy out there unabashedly, and doors finally started to creep open.
Who’s your anchor/hype person on your team?
I have so many incredibly supportive people in my life. I’m very lucky, it’s hard to choose! My husband is my number one supporter. That’s my main hype man. My second hype man is my manager Mike Jezusko who has been with me since 2020, and has fiercely championed me since day 1 of us being in each other’s lives. My team at Paradigm, my attorneys, and my publicist are also fiercely supportive and protective of me. I have a pretty great hype squad, I’ll say.
When the cameras turn off and you’re wrapped for the day, what’s your favorite way to unwind?
Drinking the blood of my enemies and basking in the glow of the fires from the bridges I’ve burned along the way.
You’ve accomplished so much as an actress, content creator, and comedian. What’s a dream that’s still on your vision board?
I would love to go back to theater one day. I miss it a lot, and think about it often. Putting that out in the universe and hanging it on the moon!
Rapid fire POP QUIZ:
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is:
a big ole juicy stretch.
If I had one more hour in the day, I would:
take my dogs to the dog park.
A song that describes the era I’m in right now is:
“Busy Girl” by Tove Lo and SG Lewis is currently on repeat for me right now.
My current obsession is:
Joan Didion. I’m a Didion head. Currently working through all of her books. Just finished “Blue Nights” and that's all I can think about.
My best ideas come from when...
Resonance, authenticity, truth.