Alex Borstein
Alex Borstein (born February 15, 1971) is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and voice artist best known for Family Guy and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Learn about her early life, breakthrough roles, creative philosophy, and legacy.
Introduction
Alexandrea “Alex” Borstein is a versatile force in entertainment: a voice-actor, comedian, television actor, writer, and producer. Over her multi-decade career, she has become especially famous for voicing Lois Griffin on Family Guy and for her Emmy-winning performance as Susie Myerson in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She blends sharp wit, vocal flexibility, comedic grounding, and emotional nuance in a way few performers do.
Early Life and Education
Alex Borstein was born on February 15, 1971 in Highland Park, Illinois. She spent part of her childhood in Deerfield, Illinois, before her family moved to Northridge, California (Los Angeles area) during her youth.
Her parents, Irv and Judy Borstein, were both mental health professionals. She has two older brothers.
Borstein graduated from Chatsworth High School in 1989. She then studied rhetoric at San Francisco State University, earning a bachelor’s degree.
During her early years she also trained in improvisational comedy at the ACME Comedy Theatre in California, which would become a foundational part of her comedic skillset.
Career and Achievements
Early Career & MADtv
Borstein began working in comedy and voice work in the early 1990s. While doing improv and comedic writing, she contributed to shows like Casper, Pinky and the Brain, and Power Rangers Zeo doing voice roles.
In 1997, she became a cast member on the sketch comedy show MADtv. She remained with MADtv through 2009 (and made later brief returns). Her recurring characters included Ms. Swan, “Mama Brightling,” Echo (Stick Chick), and others.
Family Guy & Voice Work
While working on MADtv, Borstein met Seth MacFarlane. When he developed Family Guy (beginning in 1999), he cast her as Lois Griffin. From Family Guy’s debut in January 1999 onward, Borstein has voiced Lois and other characters (e.g. Tricia Takanawa, Barbara Pewterschmidt) and served as a writer and producer on the show. Her voice work extended to many animated shows and video games (e.g. Robot Chicken, The Bad Guys, The Angry Birds Movie).
Television & Film Roles
Borstein has taken on live-action roles beyond voice work. Some major credits include:
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Gilmore Girls — she had a pilot role as Sookie St. James, but contractual issues prevented her from continuing; she later made guest appearances in other roles.
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Getting On (2013–2015) — she starred as Dawn Forchette in this medical comedy series.
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023) — she played the sharp, streetwise Susie Myerson, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards.
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She has also appeared in films such as Bad Santa (2003), Little Man, Ted (2012), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), Love the Coopers (2015), The Bad Guys (2022) (voice), and more.
In 2023, she released a musical comedy special, Alex Borstein: Corsets & Clown Suits, on Prime Video, which she wrote and starred in.
Awards & Honors
Borstein has won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including:
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Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (twice).
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She also won for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for Family Guy.
She is often recognized for excellence both in voice acting and in live performance (comedy & dramatic).
Style, Strengths & Influence
Vocal Versatility & Character Work
One of Borstein’s greatest strengths is her vocal range: from comedic accents (Ms. Swan) to a grounded, emotionally textured voice in Susie Myerson. She gives unique character to each role.
Comedy + Emotional Depth
She blends sharp comedic timing with emotional stakes. In Mrs. Maisel, for example, her character has comedic edges but also heart, frustration, ambition, and fierce loyalty.
Writing & Producing
She doesn’t just act or voice — she contributes creatively behind the scenes (writing, producing) for Family Guy and other projects. This gives her control over the tone and voice of the material.
Authenticity & Personal Voice
Her comedy often reflects raw, personal, and self-aware observations. Her 2023 special Corsets & Clown Suits is described as part musical, part confessional, exploring life as a divorced mother, dating, and self-identity. She has also expressed her Jewish identity, honoring heritage (e.g. via family stories, cultural observance).
Personal Life & Advocacy
Borstein married actor and writer Jackson Douglas (whom she met during her improv days) in 1999. They had two children: a son (Barnaby) and a daughter (Henrietta). The couple separated, and their divorce was finalized in 2017.
Borstein is a carrier of hemophilia and has been an advocate for the National Hemophilia Foundation.
She also launched a fashion venture, Henabee’s, focusing on stylish arm sleeves to help women feel comfortable on the red carpet—reflecting her desire to reshape comfort, body image, and fashion norms.
Notable Quotes & Public Voice
While she is less known for pithy taglines, some remarks reflect her mindset:
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In her 2023 special, she framed Corsets & Clown Suits as “a filthy TED Talk” — a description that suggests mixing intellect, irreverence, and personal storytelling.
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She has commented publicly on representation and believing in one’s own voice, especially as a woman in comedy and acting in an industry that emphasizes youth and appearance. (E.g. her interactions about beauty standards, self-image)
These remarks show a performer comfortable with vulnerability, critique, and re-defining norms rather than conforming to them.
Lessons & Reflections
From Alex Borstein’s journey, a few insights emerge:
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Diversity of talent is a strength.
Her ability to act, voice, write, and produce gives her resilience and creative freedom. -
Voice matters—in every sense.
Vocal uniqueness and saying what others might not gives power, especially in comedy. -
Bring vulnerability into your art.
Her performances often succeed because she allows emotional truth (not just jokes). -
Advocate through your life.
Her work on hemophilia awareness, her fashion brand for comfort, and her cultural identity show how public figures can extend impact beyond entertainment. -
Reinvention over stagnation.
Moving from sketch comedy to voice work to complex dramatic/comedic roles demonstrates evolution, not being boxed in.
Conclusion
Alex Borstein is a rare multi-hyphenate in entertainment—someone whose voice is instantly recognizable, whose comedic chops are sharp, and whose emotional depth enhances her performances. From MADtv to Family Guy to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, she has earned respect across comedy, drama, and voice acting. Her contributions behind the scenes, her advocacy, and her willingness to explore personal themes in her art mark her as a creator, not just a performer.