Lisa Gilroy Biography: Career, TV Roles & Viral Fame
You might know Lisa Gilroy from a split-second TikTok skit that made you laugh out loud, or from her spot on Comedy Bang! Bang! that left you wondering where she’s been all your life. The Canadian actress and comedian has carved a path that’s equal parts improv training and viral timing.
Born: 22 October 1989 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Known for: Viral comedic videos, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Comedy Bang! Bang! ·
Instagram followers: 435K+ ·
TikTok likes: 10.4M+ ·
Awards: Two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner
Quick snapshot
- Canadian actress and comedian from Edmonton, Alberta (The Groundlings)
- Two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner (Lisa Gilroy official site)
- Appeared on Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Cathy (Wikipedia)
- Exact birth date discrepancy (October 22 vs. October 23) (Famous Birthdays vs. Wikipedia)
- Details of her role in Shrinking not yet publicly confirmed (Famous Birthdays)
- Voice role as Oops Lil Fart (unconfirmed) (Famous Birthdays)
- Continuing as a regular on @fter Midnight (Lisa Gilroy official site)
- Upcoming projects in comedy and TV (unconfirmed) (Lisa Gilroy official site)
Seven facts, one pattern: her career combines improv training with digital virality.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lisa Gilroy (née Lorentz) |
| Date of birth | 22 October 1989 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Profession | Actress, comedian, host |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Notable awards | Two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner |
What is Lisa Gilroy famous for?
Viral comedic videos and social media presence
Lisa Gilroy gained a massive following on TikTok and Instagram, where her comedic clips have racked up over 10.4 million likes on TikTok alone. According to The Groundlings (Los Angeles improv school), she was recently named one of Vulture’s Top Comedians You Should and Will Know. Her official site describes her as a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner (Lisa Gilroy official site).
Gilroy’s blend of improv training and social media savvy has made her a sought-after guest star, landing her on network TV while maintaining a strong digital presence. For aspiring comedians, the lesson is clear: build a following online and back it up with stage training.
Television roles and improvisational comedy
She is best known for her comedy work on Comedy Bang! Bang! and the Dropout platform, according to Apple TV (streaming service database). Her television credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jury Duty, and a regular role on @fter Midnight (Lisa Gilroy official site). She also appears in History of the World Part II, as noted by Earwolf (comedy network). The common thread: improvisational comedy. Gilroy trained with The Second City’s National Touring Company in Toronto and performs regularly at The Groundlings and UCB in Los Angeles (The Groundlings).
What this means: her improv foundation allows her to adapt quickly to any role, which is why she’s become a recurring guest on comedy podcasts and panel shows.
TL;DR: Lisa Gilroy’s viral social media following and Second City/Groundlings training opened doors to network TV roles. Her improv skills make her a versatile guest star.
Was Lisa Gilroy in Black Mirror?
Clarifying the Black Mirror connection
No, Lisa Gilroy did not appear in Black Mirror. A review of her filmography on IMDb (community database) and Wikipedia shows no episode credit for the anthology series. The confusion may arise from the show @fter Midnight, which shares a similar dark-comedy tone, or from a mix-up with another actor.
Other notable TV appearances
Gilroy’s real TV credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jury Duty, Glamorous (as Alyssasays), Interior Chinatown (as Sarah Green), and Twisted Metal (as Vermin) (Apple TV). She also hosted YTV’s The Zone and the Emmy Award-nominated Undercover High, according to The Second City (National Touring Company).
The pattern: her roles are scattered across network TV, streaming originals, and digital series, but none include Black Mirror.
Who did Lisa Gilroy play in Brooklyn 99?
Her character on the show
Lisa Gilroy played a guest role as Cathy in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode “The Honeypot”. According to Wikipedia and The Groundlings, her character interacts with the main cast in a one-off plot. The episode aired during the show’s fifth season (2018).
Impact of her guest role
Although a small part, the role introduced her to a wider audience and is often cited as a breakout TV credit. Kinfolk (lifestyle magazine) notes that her performance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine helped her gain notice for subsequent projects like Jury Duty.
A single guest role on a hit sitcom can open doors. Gilroy’s two-minute appearance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine led to more substantial roles, proving that even small parts can be career catalysts when backed by strong improv skills.
The implication: that two-minute appearance became a stepping stone to larger projects.
Is Lisa Gilroy related to Tony Gilroy?
Family background and common surname confusion
No, Lisa Gilroy is not related to screenwriter and director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton, Rogue One). No source in her biography mentions a familial connection. Her official site and CBC Arts (Canadian public broadcaster) discuss her family background only in the context of her upbringing in Alberta. The shared surname “Gilroy” is coincidental.
The takeaway: the surname is common enough that confusion arises, but there is no evidence of a relationship.
What is Lisa Gilroy’s nationality?
Canadian citizenship and upbringing
Lisa Gilroy is Canadian. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on October 22, 1989 (IMDb). She graduated from the University of Alberta in 2014 with a BA/BEd in drama, then moved to Toronto to pursue comedy (Wikipedia). CBC Arts reports that she originally planned to become a teacher before discovering improv and switching to performance.
Why this matters: her Canadian comedy training at The Second City and The Groundlings gave her a distinct style that translates well on U.S. television.
Timeline: Lisa Gilroy’s career path
Five key milestones, one arc: from Edmonton classrooms to Los Angeles soundstages.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Born in Alberta, Canada (IMDb) |
| 2010s | Began career in comedy, hosting YTV’s The Zone and Undercover High (The Second City) |
| 2018 | Appeared on Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Cathy (Wikipedia) |
| 2020s | Gained viral fame on TikTok and Instagram; regular on Comedy Bang! Bang! and @fter Midnight (official site) |
| 2023 | Cast in Jury Duty on Amazon (Kinfolk) |
The arc: each step built on improvisational training and digital visibility.
Confirmed and unclear facts about Lisa Gilroy
Confirmed facts
- She is a Canadian actress and comedian from Edmonton, Alberta (The Groundlings)
- She was born on October 22, 1989 (Wikipedia)
- She appeared on Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Cathy (Wikipedia)
- She is not related to Tony Gilroy (no source indicates a relationship)
What’s unclear
- Exact birth date: October 22, 1989 vs. October 23, 1990 (Famous Birthdays vs. Wikipedia and IMDb)
- Details of her role in Shrinking are not publicly confirmed
- The reason for Chelsea Peretti’s departure from Brooklyn Nine-Nine is not officially stated
- Voice role as Oops Lil Fart (unconfirmed)
Separating verified from speculative helps readers assess what’s reliably known about Gilroy.
Quotes from and about Lisa Gilroy
“Lisa Gilroy is a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner known for Comedy Bang Bang!, @fter Midnight, and Jury Duty.”
— Lisa Gilroy official site
“She originally planned to become a teacher before pivoting into performance after discovering improv.”
— CBC Arts (Canadian public broadcaster)
“Lisa Gilroy was recently named one of Vulture’s Top Comedians You Should and Will Know.”
— The Groundlings (Los Angeles improv school)
For aspiring Canadian comedians, the path is clear: invest in improv training, build a digital audience, and take every guest role that comes your way. The alternative is a slower climb in a field that rewards visibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lisa Gilroy’s age?
She was born on October 22, 1989, making her 35 years old (as of 2025).
What is Lisa Gilroy’s height?
Her exact height is not publicly confirmed.
Who is Lisa Gilroy’s husband?
She is married to a man named Mike, but further details are not publicly available.
What movies and TV shows has Lisa Gilroy been in?
Her notable credits include Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jury Duty, @fter Midnight, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Scrubs, Twisted Metal, and Shrinking.
Who plays Oops Lil Fart?
Lisa Gilroy voices the character Oops Lil Fart (unconfirmed).
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