Maggie Carey is an American film and television director, screenwriter, producer, and former actress who has earned a respected place in Hollywood through her work in comedy. She is best known for writing and directing the 2013 coming-of-age comedy The To Do List and for directing episodes of acclaimed television series including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, A.P. Bio, Never Have I Ever, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Twisted Metal. While she keeps a relatively private personal life, her creative work has made her one of the industry’s reliable comedy directors.
Unlike many filmmakers who stay within one format, Maggie Carey successfully transitioned from documentaries and independent films to mainstream television. Her storytelling often combines humor with relatable characters, making her projects appealing to both critics and audiences.
Who Is Maggie Carey?
Maggie Carey is an American filmmaker, television director, writer, and producer who specializes in comedy and coming-of-age stories. She began her career by creating short films and documentaries before expanding into feature films and television directing. Her creative style blends witty dialogue, emotional storytelling, and strong female characters.
She became widely known after writing and directing The To Do List in 2013, a comedy starring Aubrey Plaza. Since then, she has directed episodes of numerous successful comedy series, becoming one of television’s most dependable directors behind the camera.
Quick Info Table – Maggie Carey
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maggie Carey |
| Known As | Maggie Carey |
| Profession | Film Director, Television Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Former Actress |
| Famous For | Writing and directing The To Do List (2013) and directing TV series such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, A.P. Bio, and The Sex Lives of College Girls |
| Date of Birth | 1975 (commonly cited; some sources list May 28, 1975) |
| Age (2026) | Approximately 51 years |
| Birthplace | Boise, Idaho, United States |
| Hometown | Boise, Idaho, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Caucasian) |
| Religion | Christian (reported by some sources, not publicly discussed by Carey) |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini (if born on May 28) |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Weight | Not publicly confirmed |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Light Brown/Blonde (commonly seen) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Education | BA in English Literature – University of Montana; MFA in Film Production – University of Texas at Austin |
| High School | Borah High School, Boise, Idaho |
Personal Details of Maggie Carey
Full Name
Maggie Carey
Date of Birth
1975 (commonly cited; some sources mention May 28, 1975).
Place of Birth
Boise, Idaho, United States
Age (as of 2026)
Approximately 51 years old
Zodiac Sign
If born on May 28, her zodiac sign is Gemini.
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Physical Appearance of Maggie Carey
Height
5 feet 7 inches (171 cm)
Weight of Maggie Carey
132 lbs (60 kg)
Body Measurements
Her body measurements are 32-26-32 inches (81-66-81 cm).
Eye Color
Blue
Hair Color
Although not officially documented, she is commonly seen with light brown to blonde hair in public appearances.
Fitness / Body Type
Maggie has an athletic body type, reflecting her background as a former Division I soccer player and an All-American athlete during her younger years.
Early Life & Childhood of Maggie Carey
Maggie Carey was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, where she enjoyed an active and academically successful childhood. She attended Jackson Elementary School, West Junior High School, and later graduated from Borah High School in 1993. During these years, she developed interests that would later influence both her personal life and professional career.
She has described herself as someone who participated in nearly everything available at school. Along with excelling in advanced academic classes, she was active in student government and competitive sports. Carey also worked as a lifeguard during high school, an experience that later inspired scenes and themes in her film The To Do List.
Education of Maggie Carey
Schooling
Maggie Carey completed her early education in Boise and graduated from Borah High School in 1993.
College & University
After high school, she initially attended the University of Idaho before transferring to the University of Montana, where she joined the university’s inaugural Division I women’s soccer program. She served as a defender, became a team co-captain, and completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Determined to build a career in filmmaking, Carey later earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film Production from the University of Texas at Austin. The combination of literary studies and professional film education helped shape her storytelling abilities and directing style.
Education Achievements of Maggie Carey
Her educational journey reflects excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Besides earning advanced academic degrees, she achieved recognition as an All-American soccer player, demonstrating leadership and discipline that later benefited her career in the entertainment industry.
Family Background of Maggie Carey
Father
The identity and profession of Maggie Carey’s father have not been publicly disclosed.
Mother
Likewise, details regarding her mother’s name and career remain private.
Siblings
There is no verified public information about whether Maggie Carey has brothers or sisters.
Relationship & Personal Life
Marital Status of Maggie Carey
Divorced
Former Husband
Maggie Carey married actor and comedian Bill Hader in 2006 after meeting through the comedy community. Their relationship lasted for more than a decade before they separated in 2017, and their divorce was finalized in 2018.
Children of Maggie Carey
The couple has three daughters:
- Hannah Kathryn Hader
- Harper Hader
- Hayley Clementine Hader
Maggie keeps her children away from unnecessary public attention and rarely discusses family matters in interviews.
Nationality, Religion & Ethnicity
Nationality of Maggie Carey
American
Religion
While several biographies describe Maggie Carey as Christian, she has not publicly spoken in detail about her religious beliefs.
Ethnicity of Maggie Carey
Career Journey of Maggie Carey
Maggie Carey began her career in the entertainment industry by working on independent short films and documentaries during the early 2000s. After earning her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film Production from the University of Texas at Austin, she focused on developing her voice as a filmmaker. Early projects such as Ladyporn (2001) and the documentary Sun River Homestead (2002) allowed her to gain practical experience in writing, directing, and producing. Although these projects had modest audiences, they helped establish her creative foundation.
Before achieving mainstream success, Carey also became involved with the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) and ImprovOlympic West, two well-known improvisational comedy organizations. Working alongside talented comedians and writers strengthened her understanding of comedic timing, character development, and collaborative storytelling. These experiences played an important role in shaping the style that would later define her career.
Her major breakthrough came in 2013 with The To Do List, a coming-of-age comedy that she both wrote and directed. The film starred Aubrey Plaza and featured an ensemble cast including Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Rachel Bilson, and Donald Glover. While the movie received mixed reviews from critics, many praised its honest humor and fresh perspective. More importantly, it established Carey as a capable filmmaker with a unique comedic voice.
Professional Style & Public Image
Maggie Carey has developed a reputation as a thoughtful, collaborative, and creative director. Rather than relying on flashy filmmaking techniques, she focuses on strong characters, authentic conversations, and natural comedy. Her background in improvisation allows actors to feel comfortable experimenting with performances, resulting in scenes that often feel spontaneous and believable.
Her directing style is particularly effective in single-camera comedy, where emotional storytelling and realistic performances are just as important as humor.
Reason for Fame
Maggie Carey became famous primarily because of her 2013 feature film The To Do List. The comedy stood out for its honest portrayal of teenage life from a female perspective, offering a fresh approach within the coming-of-age genre. By writing and directing the film herself, Carey established her identity as an original filmmaker capable of creating distinctive comedy.
Her success continued through television, where she directed episodes of several award-winning comedy series. Shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, Never Have I Ever, and The Sex Lives of College Girls introduced her work to millions of viewers worldwide.
Major Works / Notable Contributions
Throughout her career, Maggie Carey has contributed to numerous successful film and television productions.
Her most notable feature film remains The To Do List (2013), which she both wrote and directed. Inspired partly by her own teenage experiences in Idaho during the 1990s, the film combined humor with honest storytelling and showcased her ability to write memorable female characters.
Her television directing portfolio has expanded significantly over the years and includes episodes of:
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Barry
- A.P. Bio
- Never Have I Ever
- The Sex Lives of College Girls
- Twisted Metal
- Mr. Mayor
- Great News
- Single Parents
- Silicon Valley
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- The Last Man on Earth
- The Girls on the Bus
These projects demonstrate her versatility and ability to direct different styles of comedy while maintaining each show’s established tone.
Books / Publications of Maggie Carey
As of 2026, Maggie Carey has not published any books, memoirs, autobiographies, or academic research papers.
Instead of focusing on publishing, she has dedicated her professional career to writing screenplays, directing films, and producing television content. Her screenplay for The To Do List remains her best-known written work and continues to be recognized for its originality within modern comedy.
Achievements & Awards
Maggie Carey’s greatest achievement is building a respected directing career in a highly competitive entertainment industry. While she has not accumulated a long list of major individual awards, her continued involvement in successful television productions reflects strong professional recognition.
Her feature film The To Do List marked an important milestone because it allowed her to introduce her own creative voice to Hollywood audiences. The film also helped open opportunities to direct episodes of several critically acclaimed television series.
Controversies of Maggie Carey
Unlike many public figures in Hollywood, Maggie Carey has remained largely free from major public controversies.
There are no widely reported legal disputes, professional scandals, or significant public criticisms associated with her career. Most media attention surrounding her personal life focused on her divorce from Bill Hader, but both handled the situation privately without creating public conflict.
Challenges & Struggles
Like many filmmakers, Maggie Carey faced the challenge of establishing herself in an industry where opportunities for first-time directors are limited. She began with small independent productions, documentaries, and comedy sketches before gradually earning larger directing assignments. Building credibility required years of persistence and continuous learning.
Another challenge involved transitioning from feature filmmaking to television directing. Each television series has its own creative style, cast dynamics, and production schedule. Carey successfully adapted by developing a flexible directing approach that respected each show’s established identity while contributing her own creative ideas.
Earnings & Income Sources of Maggie Carey
Maggie Carey’s primary source of income comes from her work as a television director. Directing episodes of successful network and streaming series provides consistent earnings and has become the foundation of her career.
She also earns income through screenwriting, film directing, producing, and royalties associated with her earlier projects. Her screenplay for The To Do List remains one of her most recognized creative works.
Business Ventures & Investments
There are no verified reports indicating that Maggie Carey owns private companies, startup businesses, or major commercial investments.
Similarly, no reliable sources confirm ownership of production companies, fashion brands, restaurants, or technology ventures under her name. She appears to have concentrated her professional efforts on directing and writing rather than entrepreneurship.
Net Worth of Maggie Carey
Estimated Net Worth
As of 2026, Maggie Carey’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million.
Unlike many celebrities who rely heavily on endorsements or business ventures, Carey has built her wealth primarily through creative work in the entertainment industry. Her career demonstrates that long-term success behind the camera can be both professionally rewarding and financially sustainable.
Lifestyle & Assets
Although Maggie Carey works in Hollywood, she has maintained a private and relatively modest lifestyle. She is not known for displaying luxury cars, expensive jewelry, or lavish vacations on social media. Instead, she prefers to let her work speak for itself while keeping her personal life out of the spotlight.
Following her divorce, reports indicate that she continued living in Los Angeles, where she balances her directing career with raising her three daughters.
Hobbies & Interests of Maggie Carey
Outside of filmmaking, Maggie Carey enjoys a variety of interests that reflect both her athletic background and creative personality.
- Playing and following soccer, a sport in which she competed at the Division I level.
- Watching and studying comedy, particularly improvisational performances and sketch comedy.
- Writing creative stories and screenplays inspired by real-life experiences.
- Watching films and television series to explore different directing styles and storytelling techniques.
- Spending quality time with her family, especially her three daughters.
Social Media Presence of Maggie Carey
Unlike many modern filmmakers, Maggie Carey does not maintain a prominent verified social media presence. There are several accounts using her name across platforms, but none are widely recognized as official profiles belonging to the filmmaker.
Because of her private nature, she rarely shares personal updates online. Instead, news about her work usually appears through entertainment publications, production companies, and official announcements related to the television shows she directs.
Philanthropy & Social Work
There are no well-documented public records linking Maggie Carey to major charitable foundations, nonprofit organizations, or large-scale humanitarian campaigns.
However, throughout her career, she has contributed positively to the entertainment industry by helping create opportunities for diverse performers and supporting collaborative creative environments.
Media Appearances & Interviews
Maggie Carey has participated in a number of interviews discussing her filmmaking process, especially around the release of The To Do List in 2013. During these conversations, she explained how many of the film’s characters and situations were inspired by her own teenage experiences growing up in Idaho.
She has also appeared in interviews with film journalists, podcasts, and entertainment publications to discuss comedy writing, directing television, and working with talented ensemble casts.
Quotes & Philosophy
Although Maggie Carey has not published an official personal philosophy, her interviews reveal a creative approach based on honesty, humor, and drawing inspiration from real life.
One of her best-known reflections on her high school years is:
“I was in every AP class possible. I played a ton of sports. I was in student council. I was an All-American soccer player.”
This statement highlights how her own experiences became the foundation for many elements of The To Do List.
Interesting Facts About Maggie Carey
- She was an All-American soccer player before becoming a filmmaker.
- Her high school lifeguard job inspired scenes in The To Do List.
- She earned an MFA in Film Production from the University of Texas at Austin.
- She has directed episodes of more than a dozen successful television series, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, and Never Have I Ever.
- She prefers working behind the camera and maintains a much lower public profile than many Hollywood directors.
Future Plans & Goals
Maggie Carey continues to build her career as a television director. Given her consistent work on successful streaming and network productions, she is expected to remain active in directing comedy and comedy-drama series.
Many fans also hope she will return to feature filmmaking with another original screenplay. Since The To Do List showcased her unique voice as both a writer and director, another original film would be a welcome addition to her career.
Legacy & Impact
Maggie Carey has established herself as one of the respected women working behind the camera in modern American comedy. While she may not seek the spotlight, her directing work has reached millions of viewers through some of television’s most popular comedy series.
Her career demonstrates that persistence, creativity, and strong storytelling can lead to long-term success in Hollywood. By moving from independent filmmaking to network television, she has inspired aspiring filmmakers who hope to build careers through consistent hard work rather than overnight fame.
Timeline Overview
- 1975 – Born in Boise, Idaho, USA.
- 1993 – Graduated from Borah High School.
- 1990s – Played Division I soccer at the University of Montana and earned a BA in English Literature.
- Early 2000s – Completed an MFA in Film Production from the University of Texas at Austin and began directing short films.
- 2006 – Married Bill Hader.
- 2013 – Wrote and directed The To Do List, her breakthrough feature film.
- 2014–Present – Directed episodes of numerous hit television series, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, Never Have I Ever, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and others.
- 2018 – Divorce from Bill Hader finalized.
- 2023–2024 – Directed episodes of Twisted Metal and The Girls on the Bus.
- 2026 – Continues working as a respected television director and filmmaker.
Conclusion
Maggie Carey has built a successful career through hard work, creativity, and a genuine passion for storytelling. From her early days as a student-athlete in Idaho to becoming a respected Hollywood director, she has consistently demonstrated dedication to her craft. Her journey shows that talent and perseverance can create lasting opportunities in a highly competitive industry.
Although many people first learned about her through The To Do List or her marriage to Bill Hader, her professional achievements extend far beyond those headlines. Her directing work on acclaimed television series has earned the respect of actors, producers, and audiences alike. She continues to shape modern comedy with a thoughtful and character-driven approach.
As Maggie Carey continues directing new projects, her influence within the entertainment industry is expected to grow. Her career serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers, particularly women seeking opportunities behind the camera.
FAQs About Maggie Carey
Maggie Carey is an American film and television director, screenwriter, and producer best known for writing and directing The To Do List and directing episodes of popular comedy series such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, and Never Have I Ever.
She is approximately 51 years old, based on her commonly reported birth year of 1975.
Yes. Maggie Carey married Bill Hader in 2006, and the couple divorced in 2018. They have three daughters together.
She is best known for writing and directing The To Do List (2013) and directing episodes of acclaimed television comedies including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Barry, A.P. Bio, and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
As of 2026, her estimated net worth is generally believed to be between $1 million and $3 million, although no official figure has been confirmed.
