Lisa Donovan Joins the Cast of MADtv

Previously known and discovered as "Lisa Nova" on YouTube, Lisa Donovan joins the hilarious cast of MADtv, which airs Saturdays (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT) on FOX. Donovan will first be seen in the episode airing Saturday, Feb. 17.

A native of New York, Donovan attended the University of Colorado-Boulder before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She went on several auditions, including one for MADtv, and performed with a small improv group. Donovan continued to audition and started her own production company, Zappin Productions, where she wrote, produced and edited numerous short films. Eventually, her creative partner introduced her to YouTube, where their online videos quickly became popular, with several featured on YouTube's main page. After Donovan's videos were discovered by MADtv's casting director, Donovan again was asked to audition for the late-night sketch show, and got the part.

Now in its 12th season, the Emmy-winning MADtv continues to lampoon everything from politics ("Black State of the Union") to movies (Dreamgirls and Capote) to TV programs (Grey's Anatomy and HOUSE). Noted for its signature characters, celebrity impersonations and edgy pop-culture commentaries, MADtv features cast members Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caeti, Crista Flanagan, Keegan-Michael Key, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Arden Myrin, Nicole Parker, Jordan Peele and Nicole Randall Johnson. They have created such popular characters as McDonald's "Stuart" and "Dr. Phil," Lee's "Blind Kung Fu Master" and "Connie Chung," Parker's "Ellen" and "Jessica Simpson," Barinholtz's "Howie Long" and "Kevin Federline," Key's "Coach Hines" and "Snoop Dogg," Peele's "Morgan Freeman" and "Ja Rule" and Myrin's "Tara Reid" and "Jillian Barberie."