Paula Poundstone, born on December 29, 1959, is an American stand-up comedian, author, and panelist. She is known for her observational stand-up comedy style and her skillful improvisation, which often includes spontaneous interaction with the audience. Her career took off in the 1980s, leading her to film several comedy specials for HBO, including the award-winning "Cats, Cops and Stuff." Since 2002, she has been one of the most beloved panelists on the NPR radio quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", where her wit is a distinguishing feature. She voiced the character of Paula Small in the animated series "Home Movies" and has published two humorous nonfiction books. Her accolades include the American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-up Comic in 1989. She was also included by Comedy Central on its list of the 100 greatest comedians of all time.