Emily Lynne Berthold: The Untold Story of Kate McKinnon’s Sister

Emily Lynne Berthold is an American actress, comedian, voiceover artist, and writer from Long Island, New York. She is also widely known as the younger sister of actress and former Saturday Night Live comedian Kate McKinnon. Emily has developed her own place in entertainment through acting, comedy, voice work, and creative projects. She has also worked with Kate on several projects over the years. This article explores Emily Lynne Berthold’s early life, education, career, acting roles, relationship with Kate, creative collaborations, husband, married life, personal interests, social media presence, and net worth.

Quick Bio

Early Life and Family Background

Emily Lynne Berthold was born and raised in Sea Cliff on Long Island, New York, alongside her older sister, Kate McKinnon. Their mother, Laura Campbell, worked as a family support advocate and public speaker, while their father, Michael Thomas Berthold, was an architect. Emily and Kate grew up in a creative home where humor and entertainment were encouraged. Their parents were fans of Saturday Night Live and encouraged their daughters to see the funny side of things. Their father was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in 1999 and sadly passed away in January 2002.

Education and Career Beginnings

Emily Lynne Berthold developed an interest in film and comedy while growing up with Kate. The sisters enjoyed making videos together when they were young, giving them an early way to explore their creativity. Emily later studied film at SUNY Purchase College in New York. Her education matched her interest in entertainment and helped prepare her for creative work. She eventually became involved in acting, comedy, voice acting, and writing. Rather than following only one path, Emily explored different forms of entertainment and gradually developed a career that included television appearances, online comedy, and projects with her sister.

Emily Lynne Berthold’s Acting and Comedy Career

Emily Lynne Berthold has worked in different areas of comedy and entertainment. She previously performed stand-up comedy and attracted attention for a voice that some viewers thought sounded similar to Kate McKinnon’s. Emily eventually decided to move away from stand-up. In a May 2023 Instagram post, she shared that she felt better after leaving that part of her career. However, she did not leave comedy behind completely. Emily continued using her sense of humor in other ways, including creating comedic skits for social media. Her career also includes acting, voiceover performances, writing, and collaborative comedy projects.

Movies, TV Shows, and Voice Acting

Emily Lynne Berthold has appeared in several television and comedy productions. In 2017, she played a bridesmaid in an episode of Friends from College, which starred Keegan-Michael Key. She later provided voices for Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump in the animated political comedy series Our Cartoon President, which ran from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, Emily appeared in Netflix’s The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show, where she portrayed characters named Scuzz and Rachel. Her work also includes the digital series Notary Publix and the audio comedy Heads Will Roll, showing her experience across different entertainment formats.

Emily Lynne Berthold Meeting With Kate McKinnon

Emily Lynne Berthold did not meet Kate McKinnon through the entertainment industry because the two are sisters who grew up together. Kate is Emily’s older sister, and they spent their childhood in Sea Cliff, Long Island. Their shared interest in humor began long before either became professionally involved in entertainment. In a 2015 interview, the sisters explained that they used to create many videos together as children. Their parents also encouraged their interest in comedy. These childhood experiences became an important part of their connection and eventually developed into professional collaborations as both sisters became involved in creative entertainment projects.

Emily Lynne Berthold and Kate McKinnon’s Relationship

Emily and Kate McKinnon share a close relationship that extends beyond their professional work. They grew up together and continued supporting each other as adults while working on different creative projects. Their strong sisterly connection has also been discussed publicly by Kate. During a CBS Mornings interview in September 2025, Kate described Emily as her best friend and said, “She’s my everything.” Their relationship has influenced some of Kate’s creative work as well. Despite Kate becoming the more widely recognized entertainer through Saturday Night Live and other projects, Emily has maintained her own interests while remaining a frequent collaborator.

Emily and Kate McKinnon’s Creative Collaborations

Emily and Kate have worked together on several entertainment projects. In 2015, they appeared in the digital comedy series Notary Publix, playing sisters Teresa and Gina Fra Diavolo. Saturday Night Live performer Aidy Bryant also appeared in the project. Emily later worked with Kate on the Audible Original comedy Heads Will Roll. Kate played Queen Mortuana, while Emily voiced JoJo, the queen’s raven minion. Emily also helped Kate record the audiobook for Secrets of the Purple Pearl, released in 2024 as part of Kate’s Millicent Quibb book series. These projects show their long-running creative partnership.

Emily Lynne Berthold’s Husband and Married Life

Emily Lynne Berthold is married to Matt Leary, an illustrator, designer, and former comedian. According to the provided information, Matt is also a co-owner of Jampson Films, a creative visual production company based in Brooklyn, New York City. Matt appeared regularly on Emily’s Instagram during their relationship. The couple became engaged in August 2024 after dating for several years. Emily shared pictures from the surprise proposal, which was attended by Kate McKinnon and other family members and friends. Emily and Matt later exchanged wedding vows in early September 2025 and shared photographs and videos from their wedding celebration.

Personal Life and Social Media

Emily Lynne Berthold shares parts of her personal and creative life through social media while continuing her entertainment work. Her Instagram has included posts about her relationship with Matt Leary, their engagement, wedding, family moments, and her creative activities. She has also shared content featuring her cat, Ruth, and her puppy. Comedy remains an important part of her online presence even after she stepped away from stand-up performances. Instead of focusing only on live comedy, Emily has created humorous skits for her social platforms. She also has a YouTube presence connected with her comedy and other creative interests.

Emily Lynne Berthold’s Net Worth

Emily Lynne Berthold’s net worth is not provided in the available source material, so a reliable financial figure cannot be given from the information used for this article. Her professional background includes work as an actress, comedian, voiceover artist, and writer, along with involvement in digital and audio projects. She has appeared in television productions such as Friends from College, Our Cartoon President, and The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show. Emily has also collaborated with Kate McKinnon on several creative projects. Without verified information about her earnings, assets, contracts, or finances, assigning a specific net worth would only be speculation.

Conclusion

Emily Lynne Berthold has created a varied career while sharing a close personal and professional relationship with her older sister, Kate McKinnon. Raised in Sea Cliff, Long Island, Emily studied film before working in acting, stand-up comedy, voice acting, writing, and digital entertainment. Her credits include Friends from College, Our Cartoon President, The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show, Notary Publix, and Heads Will Roll. She has also supported Kate on audiobook work. Outside her career, Emily married Matt Leary in September 2025 and shares parts of her life online. Her story reflects a lasting connection between family, humor, and creativity.

(FAQs)

Who is Emily Lynne Berthold?

Emily Lynne Berthold is an American actress, comedian, voiceover artist, and writer. She is also the younger sister of Kate McKinnon. Emily has worked on television, digital comedy, audio productions, and projects with her sister.

Is Emily Lynne Berthold Kate McKinnon’s sister?

Yes, Emily Lynne Berthold is Kate McKinnon’s younger sister. They grew up together in Sea Cliff on Long Island, New York. The sisters have remained close and have worked together on several creative comedy projects.

Who is Emily Lynne Berthold’s husband?

Emily Lynne Berthold’s husband is Matt Leary. He is an illustrator, designer, and former comedian. The couple became engaged in August 2024 after dating for several years and exchanged wedding vows in September 2025.

What does Emily Lynne Berthold do for a living?

Emily Lynne Berthold works in the entertainment industry. Her career includes acting, comedy, voice acting, and writing. She has appeared in television productions and has also created comedy projects with her sister, Kate McKinnon.

What movies and TV shows has Emily Lynne Berthold appeared in?

Emily has worked on Friends from College, Our Cartoon President, and The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show. She also appeared in Notary Publix and performed in the Audible comedy production Heads Will Roll.

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