Marietta Sirleaf; Comedienne and Actress is also known as Rita on the hit NBC’s show ‘Park and Recreation”

Marietta Sirleaf; comedienne and actress is also known as Rita on the hit NBC’s show Park and Recreation. Upon graduating from Duke University with a degree in Sociology, Retta decided to take a year off before medical school and worked as a contract chemist for GlaxoSmithKline. At that point, she decided pharmaceuticals/medicine wasn’t her calling. She made the decision to LA., California.

Retta started performing at open mics all over the LA area and eventually started showcasing for NACA (National Association for Campus Activities). She became a must-see act on the college circuit and soon was nominated for female comedian of the year by Campus Activities Magazine. She was Comedy Central’s first winner of their Laugh Riots Stand-Up Competition which led to an appearance on the New Faces Showcase at Montreal’s “Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival. This performance led to a development deal with ABC/Disney. Retta was featured in Essence Magazine’s as one of 2005 Class Clowns alongside Sherri Shepherd and Niecy Nash and again in 2010 with Craig Robinson and Brandon T. Jackson.

Retta’s television appearances include “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, “Freddie”, “Comics Unleashed”, “The Soup”, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and “Comedy Central Presents . . . Retta”. Her film credits include “Fracture” with Anthony Hopkins, “First Sunday” with Ice Cube and Katt Williams, “Sex & Death 101” with Simon Baker, and “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” with David Spade.