Heidi Gardner returns to "Saturday Night Live" for her eighth season.

Gardner has received praise for her hilarious original characters on "SNL, " including teen movie reviewer Bailey Gismert; famous 1980s cocaine wife Carla; Angel, Every Boxer’s Girlfriend; Crystal, Your Co-Worker Who Seems Extremely Busy Doing Seemingly Nothing; and John Michael Wozniak, a nice-guy stadium security guard who lost everything to Michael Jordan in the digital short "The Last Dance: Extended Scene."

Gardner, who had never broken character in all her time on SNL, cracked in the most delightful way while playing NewsNation host Bobbi Moore in the "Beavis and Butt-Head" sketch, which became the most-watched sketch last season. In addition, Gardner appeared in her 500th sketch - a milestone that has only been achieved by a handful of "SNL" cast over the show’s 50-season run.

Gardner comes from The Groundlings Main Company in Los Angeles. Most recently, she co-starred on Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed "Shrinking, " starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, and co-starred in Netflix’s hit sports drama "Hustle," alongside Adam Sandler and Queen Latifah. Gardner also appeared opposite Melissa McCarthy in the comedy feature “Life of the Party” and in the Netflix feature “Otherhood,” co-starring Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette and Felicity Huffman.

Gardner guest starred on “Superstore,” the “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” interactive special and the final season of "Veep" and appeared on the Comedy Central series “The Other Two,” from former “SNL” writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider.

In animation, Gardner voices characters in the Netflix animated feature “Leo,” with Adam Sandler, and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” She voiced Tuva Van Void in SYFY’s animated series “Alien News Desk,” Cooch in the Crackle series “SuperMansion” and multiple roles in “Good Times.”

She appears as a judge in the new talent competition series “Second Chance Stage,” streaming on Max in fall 2024.

Gardner hails from Kansas City, Missouri, and her birthday is July 27.