Trivia

Auditioned for a role in Parks and Recreation (2009), a comedy series launched by the creators of The Office (2005). She did not receive the part, but received a call back to audition for a supporting role in "The Office" as Erin Hannon, a receptionist/secretary who replaced the character of Pam Beesly Halpert when Pam left Dunder Mifflin to join the Michael Scott Paper Co. Kemper was cast in the role and started appearing in the show in April 2009. Although the character was originally intended for 4 episodes, the producers were impressed with Kemper and signed her as a regular in the sixth season.

Went to John Burroughs School in St. Louis where former alumnus Jon Hamm was her drama teacher.

Attended Princeton University, graduating in 2002 with a degree in English. She subsequently studied English for a year at Oxford University.

A contributing writer for the satirical newspaper "The Onion", she also has been published in "McSweeney's", the literary journal founded by Dave Eggers.

Like Amy Poehler and other Saturday Night Live (1975) cast members Bobby Moynihan and Kate McKinnon, she performed at Manhattan's Upright Citizens Brigade improvisational comedy group, usually for free.

She is the daughter of Dorothy and David Woods Kemper, who was chairman & CEO of Commerce Bancshares, a bank holding company founded by the Kemper family. (Her paternal great-great-grandfather was banker William Thornton Kemper, Sr.).

Ellie's paternal grandmother was Mildred Lane Kemper, the namesake of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri), for which the family donated $5 million. Ellie's maternal grandfather, John Robert Jannarone, was a brigadier general.

Played field hockey at Princeton in the 1999 season, though she claims she sat on the bench "roughly 97%" of the time. Her field hockey team went to the national championship in her freshman year, but she quit the team in later years to focus on theater.

Mother, with husband Michael Koman, of sons James Miller Koman (b. July 2016) and Matthew Koman (b. September 5, 2019).

While attending Princeton, she was a member of Quipfire!, a renowned improvisational comedy group, and also the Princeton Triangle Club, a touring musical comedy theater troupe.

Announced on 12/7/11 on Conan O'Brien's show that she was engaged to former Conan writer, Michael Koman.

On the June 20, 2016 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015), she stated that she's a practicing Catholic.

Was voted "Sexiest Sense of Humor" by Victoria's Secret's annual What is Sexy List, 2015.

She's an alumna of The P.I.T in New York City and performed there with many improvisers including Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Chris Caniglia and Joe Lipari.

Older sister of television writer Carrie Kemper.

Was 3 months pregnant with her son James when she completed filming the 2nd season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015).

Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her son James to begin filming the 3rd season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015).

Is of Italian (from her maternal grandfather), German, English, Scottish, Danish, and Irish descent.

She auditioned for Saturday Night Live (1975).