Mary Beth Barone

Mary Beth Barone
Born (1991-05-28) May 28, 1991
Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
EducationBoston College (dropped out)
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actress
Years active2015–present
Comedy career
Medium
  • Television
  • stand-up
Genres
Subjects

Mary Elizabeth Barone[1] (born May 28, 1991) is an American comedian and actress. As of 2025, she stars as Grace on Benito Skinner's Amazon Prime Video comedy series Overcompensating (2025–present), for which she also writes, and co-hosts the Dear Media podcast Ride (2023–present) with Skinner. The two also previously co-hosted the Spotify podcast Obsessed (2021–2023).

Barone began her comedy career in New York City in 2015 after working with the Upright Citizens Brigade. She became known for her live show Drag His Ass: A Fuckboy Treatment Program, which was created in 2019 and adapted into a Comedy Central web series in 2021.

Early life

Barone was born on May 28, 1991,[2][3] and raised in a Catholic family of Italian descent in Stamford, Connecticut, with five older siblings.[4][5][6] Her father, James E. Barone, Sr. (1945–2025),[1] worked as a surgeon and briefly performed as a stand-up comedian in New York City in the 1970s.[7] She attended Catholic school in Greenwich for 10 years and later graduated from Westhill High School in Stamford.[8][9] She was raised in a Republican household and identified as a Republican prior to attending college.[10][11] She began studying English at Boston College, but dropped out two years later and moved to Chinatown, Manhattan, at age 20, where she lived for several years.[12][13]

Career

While working at a start-up, Barone took two months of improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade before doing stand-up during an all-women open mic for the group in 2015, after which she decided to pursue comedy full-time.[14][7] A humorous "frequently asked questions" pamphlet she created to answer her family's anticipated questions about a date she was going on while on vacation in Florida went viral on Twitter in May 2019.[4] She met fellow comedian Benito Skinner in 2019 at a comedy show in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and began hosting a monthly comedy show with him that year.[15][16] Also in 2019, she performed a stand-up set for Comedy Central and started the Instagram account and Brooklyn–based live comedy show Drag His Ass: A Fuckboy Treatment Program.[17][18] In May 2021, Drag His Ass had been adapted into a Comedy Central web series.[19] During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started Coming Clean, a livestreamed comedy show on Instagram filmed from her bathtub.[20]

Barone and Skinner co-hosted the weekly Spotify podcast Obsessed, in which they discussed their pop culture "obsessions", from March 2021 to March 2023.[21] Also in March 2021, Barone performed for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[18][12] She and Skinner began co-hosting the weekly Dear Media podcast Ride in March 2023.[22] The Atlantic included it on their list of the best podcasts of 2023.[23] In March 2024, she released her self-produced stand-up special, Thought Provoking, on YouTube, and performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to promote it.[12] Barone started the social media video series Politics for Hot People, which focused on progressive politics, in February 2025.[24] During the 2025 New York City mayoral election, she endorsed Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and interviewed him on Politics for Hot People.[10]

In 2025, Barone began starring in Skinner's Amazon Prime Video series Overcompensating, adapted from his live show of the same name,[25] as Grace, an uptight and popular college student at the fictional Yates University and the older sister of Benny, a closeted freshman at Yates played by Skinner.[9][26] She is also a writer for the series.[27] Henry Chandonnet of The Daily Beast called her a "series standout" and one of several "genuine breakouts" on the show, while Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times called her role "poignant" and "perhaps the show's most moving performance".[28][29] Barone co-starred on the music video for the song "Wild Guess" by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel, which premiered in October 2025.[30]

Barone's first hour-long comedy special Galaxy Brain premiered on July 28, 2026, on Netflix.[31] The special was taped on March 19, 2026, at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.[32] The Guardian's Owen Myers described the special as "55 minutes of whip-smart laughs that tackle all the no-nos of polite dinner party conversation".[33]

Personal life

Barone is bisexual.[8] By 2021, she was dating actor Edward Bluemel.[18] She announced a break up with actor Adam DiMarco during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in July 2025.[34]

Comedic style

In 2018, Time Out New York described Barone's comedic style as "dark post-modernism".[35] Her comedy has been described as deadpan, observational, feminist, sex-positive, and focused on topics such as sex, bisexuality, religion, white privilege, the patriarchy, and "fuckboys".[13][36][20] Vulture described her as "the undisputed queen of hot girl comedy" in 2020.[18] She has listed Victoria Beckham, Lucille Ball, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and her father as influences on her comedy.[5]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2017 Mary Beth's Sex Tape Mary Beth Short film; also writer and co-producer
2022 Supernigga Jessica Short film
2023 The Anne Frank Gift Shop Madison Short film
2024 The Disruptors Mary Beth
Sugar Baby Marie Also executive producer
TBA Love Love † Filming[37]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2022 That Damn Michael Che Party Planner #1 Episode: "Black Mediocrity"
2023 Black Mirror Lucy Episode: "Joan Is Awful"
2025 Overcompensating Grace Main cast; also staff writer

Music videos

Year Title Artist(s) Notes Ref.
2025 "Wild Guess" Ruel Female lead; directed by Jackie! Zhou [30]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dr. James E. Barone, Sr. Obituary". The Green Cremation. Archived from the original on May 12, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Mary Beth Barone, Comedian + Actor". Into the Gloss. April 25, 2025. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ Chen, Tanya (May 1, 2019). "A Woman Handed Out Pamphlets To Her Family To Answer All Their Pestering Questions Ahead Of A Date". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  4. 1 2 McLaughlin, Kelly (May 2, 2019). "A woman gave her family a hilarious brochure about going on a date while they were on vacation, and recommends the tactic for anyone dealing with prying personal questions". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Derschowitz, Jessica; Howard, Courtney; Malkin, Marc; Miller, Stuart; Plunkett, Paul; Riley, Jenelle (July 17, 2025). "Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2025 Includes Emmy Nominee Robby Hoffman, 'Overcompensating' Star Mary Beth Barone". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Mary Beth Barone, Comedian + Actor". Into The Gloss. Archived from the original on 2026-07-27. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  7. 1 2 Nordstrom, Leigh (May 6, 2021). "Why You Should Pay Attention to Mary Beth Barone". Women's Wear Daily. Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Garcia, Gretty (June 30, 2020). "Mary Beth Barone Is a Sucker for Stories of Forbidden Love". The Cut. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Nguyen, Jayden (May 29, 2025). "'Overcompensating' actor Mary Beth Barone talks about CT hometown on 'Therapuss' podcast". Shelton Herald. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Greenwood, Douglas (May 13, 2025). "She Could Have Been Your English Teacher. Instead, She's Funny on TV". i-D. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  11. ↑ Summers, Joan (June 5, 2025). "'Overcompensating' Hits Where It Heals". Paper. Archived from the original on December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 Martino, Will (July 11, 2025). "Mary Beth Barone Is Boston College's Funniest Dropout". The Heights. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Goldberg, David (April 1, 2019). "Mary Beth Barone talks stand-up, shopping and partying in NYC". Time Out. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  14. ↑ Baker, Jessica (May 14, 2021). "Mary Beth Barone Is Here to Save Your Dating Life". Who What Wear. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  15. ↑ Gilcrease, Grayson (August 26, 2021). "Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone's Obsessed Podcast Was Born From Toxic Stan Culture". Popsugar. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ Macias, Ernesto (October 9, 2019). "Benny Drama on 'Terrifying' Libras, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Catholicism". Interview. Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  17. ↑ Wetmore, Brendan (February 26, 2020). "Meet the Comedian Curing Fuckboys: Mary Beth Barone". Paper. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Nugent, Annabel (November 19, 2021). "Mary Beth Barone interview: 'I was always suspicious of funny women'". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  19. ↑ Halabian, Layla (May 11, 2021). "Comedian Mary Beth Barone Will Drag F*ckboys Toward Redemption". Nylon. Archived from the original on October 24, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "The Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2020". Vulture. October 19, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  21. ↑ Valentine McCartney, Claire (February 20, 2024). "Benito Skinner & Mary Beth Barone Launch New Podcast, 'Obsessed'". Nylon. Archived from the original on December 14, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  22. ↑ Reynozo, Shirley (March 29, 2023). "Ride - a new podcast by Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone". Galore. Archived from the original on January 14, 2026. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  23. ↑ Standley, Laura Jane (December 26, 2023). "The 25 Best Podcasts of 2023". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  24. ↑ Holtermann, Callie (July 5, 2025). "How 'Hot' Became a Bipartisan Political Buzzword". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  25. ↑ Summers, Joan (June 5, 2025). "Mary Beth Barone Talks 'Overcompensating'". Paper. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  26. ↑ Ang, Raymond (May 22, 2025). "How Benito Skinner made Overcompensating". British GQ. Archived from the original on December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  27. ↑ Hereford, André (May 17, 2025). "'Overcompensating' Is Funny, Flirty, and Fearlessly Honest". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  28. ↑ Chandonnet, Henry (May 16, 2025). "Not Another 31-Year-Old Playing a Teenager on TV". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  29. ↑ Lloyd, Robert (May 14, 2025). "Review: 'Overcompensating' navigates the confusion of college life and self-discovery". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Newton, Felicity (October 17, 2025). "Ruel is celebrating the release of his album 'Kicking My Feet' with a new video for 'Wild Guess'". Dork. Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  31. ↑ Grobar, Matt (June 24, 2026). "Netflix Sets Premiere Date For Mary Beth Barone Stand-Up Special 'Galaxy Brain'". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 25, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  32. ↑ Grobar, Matt (November 3, 2025). "Mary Beth Barone Sets Debut Netflix Special 'Galaxy Brain'". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  33. ↑ Myers, Owen (July 28, 2026). "Mary Beth Barone on provocative jokes, Palestine and manosphere misogyny: 'It's hard to stomach that those are my co-workers'". The Guardian. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  34. ↑ Feneley, Ruby (January 15, 2026). "Mary Beth Barone Is The Internet Best Friend We've Been Waiting For". Elle. Archived from the original on June 4, 2026. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Different Energies". Time Out. September 7, 2018. Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  36. ↑ Garcia, Gretty (June 30, 2020). "Mary Beth Barone Is a Sucker for Stories of Forbidden Love". The Cut. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  37. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (August 26, 2026). "Amazon MGM's Tennis Rom-Com 'Love Love' Adds 5 To Cast, Including Desmond Chiam & Kam Patterson". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
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