Maya Rudolph creates characters that exude charisma and poise. But shortly after they captivate you, they begin to reveal just how tarnished and peculiar they actually are. While most comedic characters are outwardly flawed, Rudolph’s are more subtly bizarre. You wouldn’t want to be stuck in an elevator with these people. They’re the type that would stand too close, or stare too long, or hum softly in the corner—decidedly more unnerving than the obvious misfits.

Although Rudolph grew up wanting to be on Saturday Night Live, her sole focus in life wasn’t sketch comedy. A photography major in college, she considered a career in fashion before realizing she couldn’t sew. She dabbled in music, playing keyboards for the Rentals (with Matt Sharp of Weezer fame). Eventually, she enrolled in improv classes at the Groundlings Theater, the launching pad for many Saturday Night Live cast members.

During the past five seasons on SNL, Rudolph has become one of the company’s most versatile performers. She can play a variety of races and genders, and has a voice that’s often better than those of the recording artists she impersonates. She’s even made the risky leap from SNL to the big screen, landing her first starring role in Mike Judge’s Idiocracy (due in theaters this winter).

I met with Rudolph in Los Angeles at a Zen tea garden called Elixir, for no other reason than its convenient location.

—Carrie Clifford

I. PROFESSIONAL MIMICRY

THE BELIEVER: What’s your process for creating a character on Saturday Night Live?

MAYA RUDOLPH: I try to think sometimes: where did that character come from? I have no idea, half the time. I think it’s visual. If I can visualize it or if I have a voice for the character, then I know. There was one character I did that was based on the voice of this girl my friend used to date. This girl was a horrible human being, and her voice drove me crazy. The people that are the most memorable are the annoying assholes.

BLVR: Do the SNL people dictate what you’re going to wear, or do you have any input?

MR: You totally have input. It’s the best. After the sketches get chosen, you go into the design room and talk to costumes and wigs and props about everything. That’s the only thing I feel like I’m super-duper anal about. I know I drive everyone crazy. I really get specific about how I want the hair to look and how I want the costume. I know in the end when it’s right because it’ll be the way I’ve been imagining it the...