You know that feeling when you're watching a show and a specific actress pops up, and you're like, "Wait, I know her, she’s hilarious," but you can’t quite place the name? That’s Carly Craig. Honestly, she’s been the secret sauce in some of the best comedies of the last twenty years. Whether she’s playing the "perfect" nightmare neighbor or a girl who’s just trying to navigate the hellscape of modern dating, she has this weirdly specific ability to be both the most beautiful person in the room and the absolute weirdest.
She’s a Second City alum, which explains a lot. You don't get that timing by accident. From working with the Farrelly brothers to creating her own series, Carly Craig movies and tv shows have basically defined a specific era of "cringe-but-relatable" humor.
The Big Break: Role Models and the Farrelly Era
If you were a fan of those R-rated comedies in the late 2000s, you’ve definitely seen her. In Role Models (2008), she played Connie, and let's be real—trying to keep a straight face next to Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd is a feat in itself.
But it was her connection with the Farrelly brothers that really cemented her as a comedy staple. They clearly loved her. She showed up in The Heartbreak Kid, Hall Pass, and The Three Stooges. Oh, and if you’ve seen Dumb and Dumber To, she played the younger version of Fraida Felcher. It’s a specific kind of slapstick world, and she fit right in without ever feeling like she was "playing" funny. She just was.
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The Scene-Stealer on the Small Screen
Television is where Carly really gets to flex. If you haven't seen Burning Love, stop what you're doing and go find it. It’s a parody of The Bachelor, and Carly plays Felicia. She is unhinged in the best way.
Then there’s American Housewife. For years, she played Tara Summers, the "perfect" Westport mom who was the ultimate foil for Katie Otto. She’s the person you love to hate because she makes being annoying look like an Olympic sport.
- Hello Ladies: She was a recurring force in Stephen Merchant’s HBO series.
- Sideswiped: This was her baby. She didn't just star in it; she created it.
- Cougar Town: Even in guest spots, she leaves a mark.
Why Sideswiped Changed the Game for Her
We have to talk about Sideswiped. It premiered on YouTube Premium back in 2018, and it’s basically a semi-autobiographical look at her life.
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Carly actually got out of a 12-year relationship at 35 and realized the dating world had moved entirely to apps. She was terrified. So, she did what any writer would do: she went on a bunch of Tinder dates for "research" and turned the horror stories into a show.
It’s about a woman named Olivia (played by Carly) who decides to date all 252 of her Tinder matches. It starred Rosanna Arquette as her mom and Chelsea Frei as her sister. It was refreshing because it didn't treat dating like a romantic comedy; it treated it like a tactical mission that usually ends in disaster.
The Versatility of a Comedic Ninja
What most people get wrong about Carly is thinking she’s just a "sitcom actress." She’s actually a classically trained dramatic actress from the Stella Adler Academy.
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She’s done the "serious" stuff too, like working on Mike Leigh’s Ecstasy or Neil LaBute’s Bash. That foundation is why her comedy works. You can't play "crazy" or "annoying" effectively unless you know how to ground it in something real. Even when she’s playing a character like Tara Summers, there’s a layer of humanity there that makes the character work.
What’s Next for Carly Craig?
As of 2026, Carly is still grinding behind the scenes. One of the most exciting things on her plate is Hellicious. She’s writing and executive producing an animated series based on the comic book, with Anthony Kiedis (yes, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) attached. It’s a massive pivot from the suburban world of American Housewife, but that’s exactly why she’s stayed relevant. She’s not afraid to get weird.
Making the Most of the Carly Craig Filmography
If you want to actually appreciate her range, don't just stick to the big movies.
- Watch the "Sideswiped" Pilot: The scene in the gynecologist's office with Jason Sudeikis is legendary. It actually happened to her in real life.
- Binge "Burning Love": It’s the best way to see her improv roots.
- Check out "Faith Based": A more recent 2020 film where she plays Brandy. It’s a sharp satire on the Christian film industry.
Carly Craig is one of those actors who makes everything she’s in about 15% better just by being there. Whether she’s a lead or a guest star, she’s consistently one of the funniest people on screen.
To stay updated on her latest projects, especially as Hellicious moves through production, keep an eye on her social media. She’s surprisingly transparent about the development process, which is a goldmine for anyone interested in the "how-to" of Hollywood producing.