The yet-to-be-titled book will feature stories and personal essays from Kemper, beginning with her childhood in St. Louis and following her career in Hollywood with roles on the television series The Office and feature film Bridesmaids, among many other projects.
“We were bowled over by Ellie Kemper’s gifts as a writer,” said Scribner Executive Editor Shannon Welch in a statement to EW. “She’s brilliant, charming, relatable, unexpected, insightful, and hilarious. She couldn’t be better company on the page.”
Kemper, 36, grew up playing field hockey and doing theater in St. Louis. She’s the daughter of David Kemper, CEO of bank holding company Commerce Bancshares, and comes from one of the richest families in Missouri. In high school, Jon Hamm was briefly her drama teacher. She later graduated from Princeton, interned at The Late Show with Conan O’Brien, and, like many a quick-witted white girl new to New York, began performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade. She had a regular starring role on NBC’s The Office before she turned 30.
All of this is well and good and the makings of a very nice life that I definitely wish I had. But does it really warrant a memoir? Maybe! Kemper, who currently stars as the titular character Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, is an experienced writer (she previously contributed to The Onion) and surely funny. Any hot new takes on “Everything was fine and continues to be fine!” might as well come from her.
Happy writing and God bless ya, Ellie. I haven’t heard what kind of money you made from Scribner yet, but when I do, I’m sure I’ll envy you even more.
CORRECTION: According to Kemper’s manager, the book is being marketed by Scribner as a collection of essays, not—as it was mislabeled by Entertainment Weekly—a memoir.
Image via the AP.
