Comedian Robby Hoffman: Reaching New Heights

AFTER YEARS OF GRINDING IN STAND-UP, THE HACKS STAR IS FINALLY HITTING HER STRIDE

- BRIANNE TRACY

Robby Hoffman wears many hats—actor, writer, comedian—and when she pops onto Zoom for her People interview, she’s literally wearing one that reads “Main Character.” The label feels especially fitting for her these days, though she insists the style choice wasn’t intentional. “I really didn’t care what this hat said on it—it’s just that it was small enough to fit my head,” she says in her thick Brooklyn accent. “Then I read it, and I was like, ‘Oh, okay. I’m not mad at that at all.’ ”

It’s been a banner year for Hoffman, 39. Since being nominated for an Emmy for her recurring role as Randi on HBO Max’s Hacks in 2025, she’s gone on to debut a Netflix comedy special, Wake Up, score a role alongside Steve Carell on HBO’s Rooster and launch a comedy tour across North America. “I don’t want to jinx anything, but it’s pretty good to be me right now,” admits Hoffman, who adds she’s thankful her career-defining stretch came after years of grinding in television writing and the stand-up circuit. This level of success “out of the blue wouldn’t feel manageable,” she explains. “What’s happening with the