Key Takeaways:
- Robby Hoffman’s 2025 was marked by significant milestones, including an Emmy nomination for her role in "Hacks," her marriage to Gabby Windey, and the premiere of her first Netflix stand-up special, "Wake Up."
- Hoffman’s journey to success was marked by persistence and determination, having dropped out of CPA school to pursue comedy and working her way up from writing jobs to stand-up performances.
- Her comedy style has been compared to Larry David, with a focus on observational humor and a thick Brooklyn accent.
- Hoffman believes in the importance of creative freedom and trusts her audience to appreciate her unique perspective.
- She is optimistic about the future of comedy and artistry, seeing the rise of artificial intelligence as a potential catalyst for human creativity.
Introduction to Robby Hoffman
Robby Hoffman was born into a large Hasidic Jewish family in Brooklyn, one of 10 kids, and has always been comfortable in a crowd. Growing up in dense apartments and neighborhoods, she loved being around people and felt at home in a bustling environment. This comfort in crowds would later serve her well in her career as a comedian. Hoffman’s family, although not always in the best of situations, was always funny, and she credits her upbringing with instilling in her a sense of humor.
The Origins of Her Career
Hoffman’s introduction to the world of comedy came through her mother, who took her to the library every weekend to check out comedy films. She became culturally informed about comedy and knew that being funny ran in her family. However, it wasn’t until she dropped out of CPA school that she decided to pursue comedy full-time. She discovered the Just for Laughs comedy festival while in college and was inspired to write her own material. With the help of a free computer from her accounting job, Hoffman wrote a script in Microsoft Word, manually formatting the pages to mimic the look of a screenplay. She posed as a courier to get her script to the offices at HBO Canada and other networks, and eventually landed an option deal for $1,000.
Breaking into the Industry
Hoffman’s big break came when she was hired as a writers’ assistant on the PBS children’s TV show "Odd Squad." She won an Emmy in 2019 for her work writing the series and gained her first experience on a set. As she took on more writing jobs for various TV series, she moved to Los Angeles, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Hoffman had always been drawn to California, where her father lived, and felt a connection to the city. She recalls a letter she wrote to herself at 12, which she opened when she was 18, saying that she hoped to live in L.A. one day.
The Creation of "Wake Up"
Hoffman’s first Netflix stand-up special, "Wake Up," was directed by John Mulaney, who reached out to her after hearing about the project. The special was shot at the Masonic Lodge in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and features Hoffman’s unique brand of observational humor. The title "Wake Up" refers to a phrase she often uses in her material, addressing the audience directly. However, it also touches on the current comedy climate, with some high-profile comedians criticizing the "woke" standards of political correctness. Hoffman’s response is to say that she doesn’t approach her material as controversial, only as what is currently on her mind.
Hoffman’s Perspective on Comedy
Hoffman believes that comedy should be a space for creative freedom, where people can say what they want, but also be prepared to stand by their words. She trusts her audience to appreciate her unique perspective and doesn’t find that certain audiences are more or less receptive to her work in different geographic regions. Instead, she says, "I think I get away with, ‘Well, what are you going to do? It’s Robby Hoffman.’" This confidence in her audience has allowed her to tackle a wide range of topics, from pedophiles to contemporary pronoun use, with ease and humor.
A Momentous Year
2025 was a significant year for Hoffman, with her Emmy nomination, marriage to Gabby Windey, and the premiere of "Wake Up." However, she sees this year as the culmination of years of dedication to her craft, rather than a sudden explosion of success. Hoffman believes that her persistence and hard work have finally paid off, and that her audience has finally found her. She is optimistic about the future of comedy and artistry, seeing the rise of artificial intelligence as a potential catalyst for human creativity. As she looks to the future, Hoffman is busy finishing filming "Hacks" Season 5, developing a TV show, and embarking on a stand-up tour in 2026.
Conclusion
Robby Hoffman’s story is one of perseverance and determination, a testament to the power of hard work and creative vision. From her humble beginnings in a large Hasidic Jewish family in Brooklyn to her current status as a rising star in the comedy world, Hoffman has always stayed true to herself and her unique brand of humor. As she continues to push the boundaries of comedy and artistry, Hoffman remains an inspiration to aspiring comedians and artists everywhere, a reminder that success is possible with persistence, dedication, and a willingness to take risks.
