Andrea Laing

Andrea Laing is a Jamaican-American film and theater actress. She is best known for her role as Zoe in Adult Swim Yule Log and its sequel Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin' Out, and Erika in the Paramount + series The Game, and Ellen in Pain Hustlers.^[1] She was also the face of Delta Air Lines' 2022 promotional campaign.^[2][3]

Laing was born in Jamaica and spent her childhood in both Jamaica and High Point, North Carolina, where she attended a private Catholic school, Immaculate Heart of Mary.^[4][5] Her parents, both Jamaican immigrants, worked a lot, leaving her to entertain herself by singing and dancing to her stuffed animals, which she credits for her later interest in acting and entertaining.^[5] Laing described her parents and Catholic school upbringing as strict, and also credits growing up in both Jamaica and North Carolina with providing her with a wide exposure and empathy to different communities' stories, which she applied later to her acting career.^[5]

She later attended High Point University, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism with a double minor in criminal justice and sociology.^[2][6]

Laing appeared as a mid-season replacement in the first season of the Oxygen Network reality television show Bad Girls Club in 2007 and in two episodes in the series spin-off Bad Girls Road Trip.^[6][7] She appeared as a featured extra in the horror film Chainsaw Cheerleaders in 2008, and had roles in television shows such as Teen Wolf, with her first recurring role in the 2013 television series Stuff You Should Know.^[7] In 2014, she moved to Atlanta and worked as a temp at CNN and Turner Broadcasting for two years.^[1][2] During that time, she sought something more fulfilling and a friend introduced her to production assistant work and she continued to pursue hosting and acting on camera.^[1] Laing also gained experience doing sketch comedy and stand-up, performing in Atlanta venues like the Limelight Theater (formerly Village Theatre), Sketchworks Comedy, and Dad's Garage Theatre Company.^[1][8]

In 2015, Laing won a hosting position in an NBC competition, and was selected as a red carpet host at the American Black Film Festival.^[2] With more experience, she opted to sign on with a talent agency and take classes to further her acting career.^[2] She continued to accumulate credits in films and television series, including NCIS: New Orleans, Atlanta, Dopesick, and the 2021 Barry Jenkins miniseries The Underground Railroad.^[1] Laing described her work on The Underground Railroad as Henrietta as some of the "most beautiful and yet challenging roles" she had taken on, noting a positive experience with series creator Jenkins and the difficult subject matter.^[1]

In 2022, Laing starred in the Adult Swim meta-horror comedy film Adult Swim Yule Log written and directed by Casper Kelly. The film, about a cursed and murderous yule log that terrorizes weekend cabin renters, was a viral hit, with particular attention paid to Laing's breakout performance as the lead character, Zoe.^[3] Laing would later reprise the role in the film's 2024 sequel Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin' Out to positive reviews.^[3][9] She appeared in another recurring role as Erika in two seasons of the Paramount+ comedy-drama series The Game, and had a stand out role as Ellen in the David Yates film Pain Hustlers alongside stars Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, and Catherine O'Hara.^[1][4]

Laing became the face of Delta Air Lines' 2022 promotional campaign, appearing in ads depicting her traveling through Argentina, including through Buenos Aires, Patagonia, and the Pampas, with voice over by Viola Davis.^[1][10] Laing spent two months shooting the campaign in Argentina.^{[2][4][10][11]}

In 2023, Laing starred onstage in the lead role of Sandy in the award-winning parody musical Vape The Musical at the Aurora Theatre in Berkley, California.^[2]

Laing has also done work as an audio book narrator. Her work on the audio book of the young adult novel A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow was nominated as a finalist for the 2021 Audie Awards held by the Audio Publishers Association.^[2]

Laing is based in Atlanta, Georgia and spends part of her time in Buckhead.^[2][5]

Laing has also described her love of fitness and wellness.^[12] She describes herself as a globetrotter with a passion for international travel, and her exposure through the Delta campaign cast her as a travel guru, with various publications seeking her advice on travel essentials and destination recommendations.^{[2][4][10][11]}

Laing is also involved with philanthropic organizations in Atlanta, working with the Atlanta branches of the Humane Society, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and American Red Cross.^[5]

• Andrea Laing at IMDb