Amber Ruffin, born on January 9, 1979, in Omaha, Nebraska, is a distinguished American comedian, writer, and actress. She gained prominence as a writer and performer on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” starting in 2014, becoming the first Black woman to write for a late-night network talk show in the U.S. In September 2020, Ruffin launched her own late-night talk show, “The Amber Ruffin Show,” on Peacock, which garnered critical acclaim for its unique format and insightful humor.
In addition to her television work, Ruffin co-authored the New York Times Best Seller “You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism” in 2021, alongside her sister Lacey Lamar. She also co-founded the production company Straight to Cards with Jenny Hagel in 2022, under an overall deal with Universal Television.
Recently, Ruffin was slated to headline the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 26, 2025. However, on March 29, 2025, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) announced that Ruffin’s performance had been canceled. WHCA President Eugene Daniels stated that the organization decided to forgo a comedic act this year to focus on honoring journalistic excellence and supporting future journalists, rather than engaging in potentially divisive politics. This decision followed concerns raised by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich regarding Ruffin’s past critical comments about former President Trump.
Beyond her writing and performance career, Ruffin serves as a weekly panelist on CNN’s “Have I Got News For You,” further establishing her presence in the entertainment industry.