Quinta Brunson (/ˈkwɪntə/; born December 21, 1989) is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for creating, executive producing, co-writing, and starring as second-grade teacher Janine Teagues in the ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary (2021–present). She first gained recognition in 2014 with her self-produced Instagram series Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date, later joining BuzzFeed Video where she produced and acted in numerous videos and developed two streaming series with BuzzFeed Motion Pictures.
At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, Brunson made history as the first Black woman to be nominated three times in the comedy category, earning nods for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (which she won), Outstanding Comedy Series (as an executive producer), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The following year, at the 75th ceremony, she became the first Black woman in over 40 years to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Brunson has also received a 2022 Peabody Award for Abbott Elementary and was named one of Time‘s 100 Most Influential People of 2022. Beyond Abbott, she has appeared in iZombie, Single Parents, Miracle Workers, and A Black Lady Sketch Show, and has provided voice work for Lazor Wulf and Magical Girl Friendship Squad.
