Mae Martin
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Mae Martin – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Discover the story of Mae Martin — Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and creator of Feel Good. Learn about their early life, breakthrough works, identity, philosophy, and inspiring quotes.
Introduction
Mae Pearl Martin (born May 2, 1987) is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, and musical artist. Feel Good, a show that blends comedy, romance, and raw introspection.
From early performances in Canada to navigating addiction, identity, and creative reinvention, Mae Martin’s journey is one of vulnerability, wit, and resilience.
Early Life and Family
Mae Martin was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on May 2, 1987.
They have an older brother.
Growing up, Mae was exposed to a rich tapestry of comedic influences: the family home was filled with recordings and shows like Monty Python, The Goon Show, Blackadder, Steve Martin, and The Kids in the Hall. Rocky Horror Show, and Pee-wee Herman.
Their early exposure to comedy and performance planted seeds that would later flourish professionally.
Youth, Challenges & Early Career
Beginning Comedy as a Teen
Mae’s comedic path began young. They booked gigs as part of a local comedy troupe The Young and the Useless when they were just 13. Second City club in Toronto—doing stand-up, box office work, and absorbing the comedy environment.
At 14, Mae began using alcohol and illicit drugs, and by 15, they dropped out of the all-girls school they attended to pursue comedy full-time.
By age 20, Mae had entered rehabilitation and became sober. They later described this period as transformative and central to their creative voice.
Transition to the UK / International Comedy Scene
In 2011, Mae moved to London to break into the British comedy circuit. Mae Martin: Us (Edinburgh Fringe) which helped gain recognition.
In 2017, they premiered Dope, a show about addiction—both literal and metaphorical—that earned critical acclaim and was adapted into a Netflix special.
Mae has also contributed as a writer/story editor for shows like Baroness von Sketch Show.
Breakthrough: Feel Good & Beyond
Feel Good
In 2020, Mae Martin co-launched Feel Good, a dramedy series they co-wrote, co-created, and starred in. Feel Good ran for two seasons, from 2020 to 2021.
The show also charts a shift in how Mae’s character’s gender identity evolves, mirroring aspects of Mae’s own journey.
Other Projects & Recognition
Mae’s comedy special SAP debuted on Netflix in 2023. The Flight Attendant (playing Grace St. James) and won Taskmaster UK (season 15).
In 2019, they published the YA non-fiction book Can Everyone Please Calm Down? A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, combining personal narrative with commentary on modern sexuality.
Mae also continues to produce new work; as of recent years, they’ve been working on a Netflix series titled Wayward.
Identity, Philosophy & Voice
Pronouns & Identity
Mae came out as non-binary publicly in 2021, and uses they/them pronouns (while also sometimes using she/her).
Later in 2021, they underwent top surgery as part of their gender affirmation process.
Comedic Philosophy & Voice
Mae’s style blends autobiographical vulnerability with observational humour. They often mine personal pain, addiction, romantic complexity, and identity tension for insight and empathy.
They have said that the more open and vulnerable they are on stage, the more people resonate with it.
Muh more broadly, Mae sees comedy not just as entertainment, but as a gateway to connection, reflection, and change. For instance, making someone laugh can lower defenses and open space for deeper ideas.
They also recognize the tension in performing emotionally heavy or dark material—they have described using humour to process trauma.
Famous Quotes of Mae Martin
Here are a selection of memorable quotes from Mae Martin:
“Don’t edit yourself too much. Don’t be afraid of looking stupid, ‘cool’ is so rarely funny I think. And just do it! Do as many gigs as you possibly can, and watch as many gigs as you possibly can.”
“Talking about darker stuff from my life was definitely very cathartic and at times confronting.”
“I sort of thought acting was just about arranging your face into emotions. I didn’t realise it was about actually allowing yourself to feel the feelings, then letting your face follow. That was a big learning curve.”
“If you're unhappy, you can't make anything.”
“Watching comedy for the first time I felt absolutely on fire. … There is this environment where people were being applauded for the weirdest things about themselves.”
“I’ve been doing comedy for 20 years now. I started when I was 13 and I think for the first 10 years I was impersonating other people.”
“Making someone laugh is a good way to get their defenses down so that they might then be open to new ideas, especially when they’re laughing at some common ground they relate to. Comedy’s always been an amazing tool for social change.”
Additionally, from Wikiquote:
“I crave nature. When I’m in it, I love it. But I’m not a good camper.”
These quotes reflect Mae’s honesty, intuitive awareness, and mission to use comedy as bridge—not wall.
Lessons from Mae Martin’s Journey
From Mae Martin’s life and work, we can distill several lessons:
-
Vulnerability can be strength
Mae’s willingness to expose flaws, pain, and identity struggles has become a signature strength rather than a liability. -
Don’t shy from complexity
They address addiction, romantic negotiation, gender, and trauma—all simultaneously—showing that life is rarely one-dimensional. -
Start early, but keep evolving
Mae began comedy in adolescence, but continuously reinvented their voice, mediums, and emotional scope. -
Comedy as conduit
Using humour to open emotional space can allow difficult truths to land more gently. -
Identity is fluid, not fixed
Their journey with non-binary identity and sexual fluidity illustrates that selfhood can change over time—and that’s okay. -
Transform pain into art
Mae’s experiences with addiction, trauma, and displacement have become raw material—but not spectacle.
Conclusion
Mae Martin is a distinct and evolving voice in modern comedy and storytelling. From Toronto teenager doing stand-up, through personal struggles and reinvention, to creator of Feel Good and musical artist, they have carved a path defined by authenticity, courage, and wit.
Their impact lies not only in laughter, but in opening space for queer identity, trauma recovery, and human complexity.