Yvonne Orji: Bio, Family, Net Worth, Age, Career, Movies and Awards

Who is Yvonne Orji?

Yvonne Anuli Orji is a Nigerian-born, American-based actress and comedian. She is popularly known for Issa Rae's television series, Insecure, where she has starred as Molly in 2016-present.

Full Name: Yvonne Anuli Orji

Date of Birth: 2nd December, 1983

Age: 39

Nationality: Nigerian-American

Education: BA and Master's degrees in Liberal Arts and Public Health respectively, from George Washington University.

Occupation: Actress, Comedian

Net Worth: $500,000. 

Yvonne Orji - Nigerian-born, American-based actress and comedian

Yvonne Orji Early Life

Born Yvonne Anuli Orji and professionally and famously known as Yvonne Orji, she was born on December 2nd, 1983 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 

She moved abroad shortly afterwards at age six (6) and lived in Laurel, Maryland, United States where she grew up.

She spent her high school years in a small town in Pennsylvania, called Lititz, where she attended Linden Hall high school, the country's oldest all-girls boarding school.

Yvonne Orji Education

Yvonne Orji attended Linden Hall for her high school education. 

She earned both her BA and Master's degrees in Liberal Arts and Public Health respectively, from George Washington University.

Yvonne Orji Career

The plan was to become a healthcare professional such as a doctor, pharmacist, a lawyer or engineer, but Yvonne had other plans.

After her Stand-Up performance in the talent portion of a beauty pageant she entered as a favor for a friend, she was inspired to become a comedian as a graduate student.  That performance would become her first stand-up comedy. 

Yvonne moved to New York City after graduate school in 2009 to pursue a career in comedy. In 2015, she got the role of Molly in Issa Rae's Insecure with no acting experience. 

Prior to landing this major role, Yvonne worked as a wedding emcee. 

In 2017, she spoke at TEDxWilmingtonSalon where she delivered her talk titled, 'The Wait is Sexy'. In her talk, Yvonne explains her reasons for believing in sex before marriage and maintaining her sexual purity until marriage.

Shortly afterwards in 2018, she authored her book titled, 'Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams.'

In 2021, she began to develop a series for Disney+ titled 'First Gen.'  The series is based on her personal life experiences and is produced by the famous Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo.

She starred in the viral pilot episode for First Gen which is simply an autobiographical sitcom based on a Nigerian woman who forsakes medical school to become a stand-up comedian.

Also in 2021, she hosted the second edition of the Yearly Departed which was released on 23rd December, 2021, with eulogies delivered by these famous celebrities:

• Jane Fonda

• X Mayo

• Aparna Nancherla

• Chelsea Peretti

• Dulcé Sloan

• Megan Stalter

And lastly, a musical performance by Alessia Cara.

Yvonne Orji - Nigerian-American Entertainer

Yvonne Orji Personal Life

Yvonne Orji is the youngest in a family of four.

The renowned American-based entertainer is a devout Christian who was raised a Catholic and has vowed to maintain her virginity until marriage. 

In addition to her creative life and work, Yvonne is a dedicated philanthropist. 1n 2008 and 2009, she worked in post-conflict Liberia with Population Services International(PS1) for six months. 

While in the country, she worked together with a group of talented young people to help build a mentoring program and a weekly talk show that was aimed at helping to educate people on prevention against the spread of teen pregnancy and HiV/AIDS.

At the time, Yvonne lends her time, voice and resources as a RED Ambassador, a Literacy Champion for Jumpstart and working with JetBlue for Good.

Also, she serves as a creative consultant for Beauty and the Baller.

Yvonne Orji Net Worth

Yvonne Orji has a measured net worth of $500,000. She earns from acting, stand-up comedy, and tours.

Yvonne Orji Filmography

• In 2011, she played the role of Njideka in the "Head Shrunk" episode of Love That Girl!

• In 2013, she starred in Sex (Therapy) with the Jones Moshinda.

• In 2016-present, she has starred as Molly Carter in 34 episodes of Insecure.

• In 2017, she played the role of Stacy in 2 episodes of Flip the Script.

• In 2018, she starred as Maya in Night School.

• In 2019, she played the role of a flight attendant in an episode in A Black Lady Sketch Show.

• In 2020, she starred as herself in the HBO comedy special titled 'Momma, I Made It!

• In 2021, she starred as Emily in Vacation Friends.

• In 2021, she hosted the second edition of the Amazon Prime Video comedy special titled 'Yearly Departed 2021.'

Yvonne Orji Awards and nominations

In 2020, Yvonne Orji was nominated as the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Insecure, by the Primetime Emmy Awards.