Who are Maya Rudolph’s Parents? Know All About Richard Rudolph And Minnie Riperton

We all have always appreciated her comedy stints, but do you know who are Maya Rudolph’s parents? Learn here.

Published on Sep 05, 2024  |  02:47 PM IST |  25.6K
Who are Maya Rudolph's parents?
Maya Rudolph (Youtube)

She has created a buzz among her fans for being the most talented person with her comedy and Saturday Night Live stints, but who are Maya Rudolph’s parents? Well, to introduce you to them, it is crucial to discuss how the Grown Ups actress impersonated Beyonce, played keyboard in the rock band The Rentals, and sang with Amy Adams, all while being a great actress.  

To put it simply, the Big Mouth actress was raised by Richard Rudolph and Minnie Riperton, two great musicians. 

Maya Rudolph's mom, Riperton, was a great singer who passed away in 1979. Meanwhile, her father, Richard Rudolph, happens to be a well-known music producer. The two people in love, Minnie Ripperton and Richard are known to collaborate on many projects, with Richard writing and producing many of Riperton's songs. 

If this has already made you interested in knowing who Maya Rudolph’s parents are, keep on reading.

Maya Rudolph’s parents Riperton and Richard, were both talented musicians

Maya Rudolph's mom, Minnie Riperton, learned opera at the Abraham Lincoln Center in Chicago as a child. With time, she chose to go for the soul as well as R&B genres and started to pursue her career in the famous group called The Gems; she became part of the stated group at the mere age of 14, as reported by the New York Times.  

Advertisement

Minnie Riperton is also known for her five-and-a-half octave range. 

In 1966, Minnie Riperton joined the Rotary Connection. Her group toured with many big names from the music industry, such as the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Santana, Sly, and the Family Stone. Following this, Maya Rudolph's mom went on to pursue her own solo career. 

Richard Rudolph studied music at Tulane University and began his career as a songwriter at Chess Records in 1969, making him and Riperton collaborate. 

Richard has produced over 500 songs throughout his career. His main focus was on producing music for acts such as Tupac Shakur and Stevie Wonder. He has also worked on movies such as Flatliners, Duets, The Black Dahlia, the very famous Weekend at Bernie's, and more. 

Eventually, he started a music label with Michael Douglas called Third Stone Records.


Minnie Riperton's hit Lovin' You was actually a lullaby for Maya   

If you have listened to Minnie Riperton’s songs, her Lovin' You was one of the most famous tracks of all time. Surprisingly, this song was for her daughter, written by both Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph.  

Advertisement

The song was originally a lullaby for Maya, written in 1971 by Richard Rudolph before the couple welcomed her. Talking to Mix Online, Richard Rudolph stated, “After Maya was born, I’d play the song all the time at the little house we had in Gainesville.”

Eventually, Minnie Riperton recorded the song in the year 1973, for her album Perfect Angel. This was also the time when Maya was present in the studio.

Maya Rudolph has described her parents as “hippies”

The Idiocracy actress has often addressed her parents as “hippies.” While talking to the New York Times, Maya stated that the couple was unreligious. 

“I remember my mom not even saying ‘God bless you.’ She’d say, ‘Guh bless you,’ because she didn’t want us to say ‘God,’” the actress stated to the outlet.

Minnie Riperton died from breast cancer in 1979 

It was in 1976 when Minnie Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was only 29 years old at this time. Riperton went to have a mastectomy the same year. 

Advertisement

Even though she was given only a month to live, Minnie Riperton didn't stop going on tours, which she continued for the next two years.  

Meanwhile, she even recorded her fifth album. However, on July 12, 1979, she died of breast cancer at the age of 31. This was just two weeks before Maya’s seventh birthday.


Richard was best friends with Bruce Paltrow

While studying at Tulane University, Richard met Bruce Paltrow, and the two instantly became best friends. They remained friends even when they moved to LA and extended their family.  

Surprisingly, Bruce’s daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Maya both attended St. Augustine by the Sea School in Santa Monica, California.


Riperton's death inspired Maya to pursue comedy

As per Maya Rudolph, in her childhood, she used to fake stomach aches and stay up late at night only to watch Saturday Night Live. With this, she became fascinated with sketch comedy. 

However, when Maya Rudolph's mom passed away, comedy was the only option to feel alive for her. “You know, it was all that I had. The only thing to keep me from crying,” the Loot star stated to The Guardian. 


Maya's fourth child is named after her late mother

Maya Rudolph married the acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, with whom she shares four children. Their eldest one is Pearl, who was born in October 2005, and the second daughter, Lucile, was born two years later. 

Advertisement

The couple then welcomed their first son, Jack, in July 2011, and then their fourth daughter, who was born in August 2013, was named Minnie, as Maya paid a perfect tribute to her last mother. 

ALSO READ: How Many Children Does Maya Rudolph Have? All We Know About SNL Host's Family With Director Paul Thomas Anderson

FAQs

When did Minnie Riperton die?
Minnie Riperton died in 1979.

How did Minnie Riperton die?
Minnie Riperton died of breast cancer.

Pinkvilla Pulse
Subscribe to our newsletter for entertainment exclusives, star interviews, and the latest lifestyle trends. Look No Further!
Subscribe
About The Author

An avid CBM follower, I like all things heavy, my music, my weights, and the movies. If you've

...

Advertisement

Latest Articles