Early Life and Family

McKinnon was raised in Sea Cliff, New York. Her mother, Laura Campbell, is a parent educator, and her father, Michael Thomas Berthold, was an architect. From a young age, she demonstrated a strong interest in music and performance, learning to play the piano, cello, and guitar.

Education

McKinnon graduated from North Shore High School in 2002. She later attended Columbia University, where she graduated in 2006. While at Columbia, she co-founded a comedy group called "Tea Party," which specialized in musical and sketch comedy performances.

Career Beginnings and The Big Gay Sketch Show

In 2007, McKinnon joined the original cast of Logo TV’s The Big Gay Sketch Show. She remained with the series throughout its three-season run. Among her various characters, Fitzwilliam—a British boy with eccentric fantasies—garnered notable attention for its comedic edge.

SNL and Rise to Prominence

Renowned for her strong character work and celebrity impressions, McKinnon continued performing live sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City after 2008. Her voice acting credits include roles in animated TV shows such as The Venture Bros., Robotomy, and Ugly Americans. In 2009, she received the NewNowNext Award for Best Rising Comic, and in 2010, she earned a nomination for the ECNY Award for Emerging Comic.

McKinnon made her debut on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on April 7, 2012, as a featured player. She holds the distinction of being the first openly lesbian cast member on the show, as well as the show's third openly gay cast member.