Ellie Kemper leapt into pop culture consciousness in 2009 when she joined the cast of “The Office” during the show’s fifth season. Her portrayal of earnest, perky receptionist Erin Hannon introduced viewers to Kemper’s strongest weapon as an actress: her own effervescent personality. And Kemper’s bright disposition is now front and center in the Tina Fey-created Netflix series “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” 

“I am naturally cheerful and sunny — not manic,” Kemper tells host Alec Baldwin. “I think for an actress, I’m the most normal I’ve ever met.”

She’s also hysterically funny, and talks about her formative experiences learning improv comedy from Jon Hamm; her newfound love of Dick Cavett; and why a set of bathroom fixtures recently brought her to tears.