NORA KIRKPATRICK grew up in rural Iowa before graduating from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television. Upon graduation, Nora did what her parents told her not to do, and joined a rock band. This band, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, won a GRAMMY, a gold record, and toured the world, playing Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and SXSW, among others. Nora was a founding member and played accordion with the group for seven years.

Nora honed her writing skills while on tour, and upon leaving the group, hit the ground running, selling shows to CBS, Hulu, Paramount and Comedy Central, among others. 

Her debut feature, A TREE FELL IN THE WOODS, produced by Lynette Howell Taylor (A Star Is Born), and starring Josh Gad, Alexandra Daddario, Daveed Diggs and Ashley Park, just premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.

She was recently a writer on Amazon's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated hit series, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX, produced by Reese Witherspoon and starring Riley Keough. Nora received a WGA nomination for her work on this series. She is a writer/co-producer on the new Amazon series, THE RUNAROUNDS, from the creators of OUTER BANKS.

Previously, Nora created, wrote and directed a 15- episode interactive television show for EKO and FunnyOrDie. This series, THE COOP, co-starred Tony Hale, Bobby Moynihan, Bridget Everett and Margaret Cho. She has directed THE GOLDBERGS for ABC and was the first woman ever to direct a campaign for Bud Light. She has gone on to direct worldwide campaigns for Uber One, Duracell, Nestle and Peloton, among others.

Nora created, wrote and directed DOOR NO. 1, a first of its kind live-action VR comedy series, starring Snoop Dogg and Ravi Patel, for Hulu.

Previously, she created ASSISTED LIVING for CBS, executive produced by Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum, and created a five-part VR comedy series with SNL alum Mike O’Brien, which is currently airing on Hulu. Her series, BEST SELLER, sold to Comedy Central, produced by Gloria Sanchez Productions and Olivia Wilde.

She has also directed a pilot for The Jackal Group, starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss. Her films have played over fifty film festivals around the world garnering many awards, including Best Director at the Prague International Film Festival and several Grand Jury Prizes. She won a Davey Grant for her screenplay Long Time Listener, First Time Caller, and was chosen as a fellow of the Sony Diversity Directing Program and the WB Directing Program.

She is currently in development on Gallagher V. Gallagher, a feature film co-written by Paul Sado about the 1970's prop comedian Gallagher.

Nora has played many roles in film and TV, including GREEK, SHRINKING, and THE OFFICE.