Tig Notaro

Explore the life and humor of Tig Notaro (born 1971), the American comedian, writer, and actor known for her deadpan style, courageous openness in tragedy, and sharp insight into life.

Introduction

Mathilde “Tig” O’Callaghan Notaro (born March 24, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian, writer, radio contributor, and actor. She is celebrated for her distinctive deadpan delivery, her fearless honesty in confronting personal challenges, and work that blends humor and vulnerability.

Her 2012 performance—shortly after being diagnosed with breast cancer—became a turning point in both her life and career, propelling her into wider recognition for turning tragedy into art.

In this article, we trace her biography, artistic evolution, and share some of her most memorable quotes and lessons.

Early Life & Background

Tig Notaro was born in Jackson, Mississippi, to mother Mathilde “Susie” O’Callaghan and father Pat Notaro. Pass Christian, Mississippi, until kindergarten, before her family later moved to Spring, Texas (a Houston suburb).

“Tig” is a childhood nickname given to her by her older brother when she was around two years old.

Academically, Notaro struggled. She has said she failed multiple grades and eventually dropped out of high school. In a 2013 interview, she noted:

“I didn’t have an interest in school at all and was getting in trouble all the time.”

Later, she obtained a GED (general equivalency diploma).

Her path into performance began after moving to Colorado, where she was involved in the music industry, and then eventually to Los Angeles, where she tried her hand at stand-up comedy.

Career & Turning Points

Stand-Up, Voice & Style

Tig’s comedic style is often described as deadpan, understated, and quiet — which gives weight to what she doesn’t say as much as what she does.

Her first comedy albums included Good One. Live, recorded shortly after her cancer diagnosis, was widely celebrated and nominated for a Grammy.

In 2015, she released the special Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted, which aired on HBO. Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special at the 2016 Emmy Awards.

The album version of Boyish Girl Interrupted was also nominated for a Grammy in 2017.

She has also acted (for example, in One Mississippi) and contributed to podcasts and radio.

Personal Challenges & Public Moment

One of the defining moments in Notaro’s career is the 2012 stand-up set in which she laid bare the news of her breast cancer diagnosis, her mother’s recent death, and other personal trials. That set gained widespread acclaim for its audacity, honesty, and pathos.

That performance marks a kind of rupture — where personal pain becomes part of the comedic canvas rather than hidden from it.

A documentary titled Tig (2015) chronicles this period of her life: her cancer journey and efforts to become pregnant with her wife.

In her personal life, Notaro married Stephanie Allynne in 2015.

Personality, Approach & Themes

Tig Notaro is known for:

• Honesty and vulnerability: She often brings parts of her life — illness, loss, identity — into her work in raw, unflinching ways.

• Restraint and subtlety: Her deadpan style means much of her impact lies in what is understated or implied.

• Blending humor and trauma: She operates in that space where laughter and grief coexist, not denying one in favor of the other.

• Courage in risk: She has shown willingness to break norms, confront taboos, or be exposed — whether in revealing medical scars or speaking about her identity.

• Authenticity over popularity: She seems driven less by market trends and more by whether a joke or story feels true.

Her interview and public remarks show she doesn’t want to be defined by any single label (female, gay, cancer survivor), but rather by the work she does.

In a 2023 talk, she mentioned she values “a well-lived life” and that no one thing will make or break you.

Famous Quotes of Tig Notaro

Here are several quotes that reflect her voice, her insights, and her mixture of humor + heart:

• “The best gift you can give anyone is a well-lived life of your own. And no one thing will make or break you.”

• “The other scary beauty of life … was how heightened circumstances … sharpen your vision and shorten your patience for baloney and hogwash.”

• “I don’t want to take myself too seriously, thinking that I’m always having to be this cathartic, intense and deep person, because I certainly enjoy silliness.”

• “It’s not the child’s responsibility to teach the parent.”

• “I always think about the idea that God never gives you more than you can handle … And just the idea that God would be looking at me and thinking, ‘Eh, I think she can handle more.’”

• “There’s something a lot more self-conscious feeling when there’s cameras coming in for close-ups. It makes you very aware.”

• “In standup, you don’t have anything near you except a microphone.”

These quotes show her mixture of humor, directness, philosophical reflection, and mild chiding.

Lessons & Takeaways

From Tig Notaro’s life and work, we can draw several lessons:

1. Power in vulnerability
   Revealing pain, uncertainty, or loss can deepen connection — not weaken it.

2. Humor doesn’t require denial of hardship
   You can laugh with pain, not just around it.

3. Be true to your voice
   Her style is distinct and doesn’t try to mimic others; staying authentic has served her.

4. Life isn’t defined by single moments
   As she says, no one thing makes or breaks you.

5. Resilience is creative
   Turning traumatic experiences into art transforms suffering into generativity.

6. Speak at your pace
   She doesn’t force exposure or overexplain; she shares when it feels right.