If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or the "prestige TV" side of Twitter lately, you’ve definitely seen the name Einbinder. Usually, it’s followed by a debate about nepo babies or a clip of a truly unhinged comedy set. But here's the thing: Spike Einbinder and Hannah Einbinder aren't just coasting on a famous last name. They are currently rewriting the rules of what it means to be a "funny person" in 2026.
Most people know Hannah from her breakout, Emmy-winning turn as Ava on Hacks. She’s the straight-edged, high-waisted-pant-wearing foil to Jean Smart. Then you have Spike—a surrealist, trans-femme "angel" (their words, kind of) who has been quietly stealing scenes in A24 movies and cult HBO hits.
They are siblings. They are wildly different. And honestly, their family tree is like a roadmap of American comedy history.
The SNL Connection Most People Miss
You can’t talk about these two without mentioning their mom, Laraine Newman.
If that name doesn’t ring a bell, you need a quick history lesson. Laraine was one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on Saturday Night Live back in 1975. She was there with Belushi and Aykroyd. Their dad, Chad Einbinder, is also an actor and writer. Basically, the Einbinder house was less "suburban quiet" and more "comedy boot camp."
Hannah has talked about this a lot. She describes her mom playing Steve Martin and Bob Newhart albums in the car instead of Kidz Bop. While other kids were learning the pledge of allegiance, the Einbinder kids were learning the timing of a deadpan delivery.
But it wasn't all glamorous. Hannah famously struggled with ADHD and was a competitive cheerleader in high school—something her mother, a legendary alt-comic, reportedly found hilarious and confusing. "A Jewish cheerleader?" Laraine supposedly joked.
Spike Einbinder: The Surrealist "Shapeshifter"
While Hannah took a slightly more traditional path through stand-up and leading roles, Spike went... elsewhere.
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Spike (born Lena Einbinder) is a force of nature in the Brooklyn alt-comedy scene. If you’ve seen Los Espookys on HBO, you know Spike as "Water's Shadow." It’s a role that’s hard to explain if you haven't seen it, which is exactly how Spike likes it.
Why Spike Is Different
- The Persona: Spike describes themselves as a "6,000-year-old shapeshifting demon." It’s not just a bit; it’s an entire comedic philosophy.
- The Style: Their work often leans into body horror and surrealism. Think less "setup-punchline" and more "vibe-based existential dread."
- The Resume: Recently, Spike popped up in the A24 film Problemista and You Hurt My Feelings. They aren't looking for a sitcom; they’re looking to make things weird.
Spike identifies as transgender and non-binary, and that fluidity bleeds into their art. They don't play "the sibling" or "the friend." They play entities. It’s a stark contrast to Hannah’s more grounded, neurotic "millennial writer" energy on Hacks.
The "Nepo Baby" Elephant in the Room
Let's be real. In 2026, you can't have a famous last name without someone on the internet getting annoyed.
Hannah Einbinder has been very transparent about her privilege. She knows who her mom is. But if you watch her 2020 debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—where she was the youngest person to ever do a stand-up set on that stage—you see the craft. You can't "nepotism" your way into a perfectly timed silence that makes a room of 500 people uncomfortable in the best way possible.
Laraine Newman is their biggest fan, but she’s also a fierce protector. When Hannah lost an award recently, Laraine took to social media with a very "proud mom from New Jersey" energy to defend her. It’s endearing, honestly. It shows that despite the Hollywood pedigree, they’re just a family that really, really loves the craft of making people laugh.
What Really Happened with the "Other" Siblings?
There is always a bit of confusion online about how many Einbinder kids there are.
Records and interviews usually point to Spike and Hannah as the primary duo from Laraine and Chad’s 25-year marriage. However, Hannah has mentioned having "two trans siblings" in her stand-up and interviews. This has led to some deep-diving on Reddit, with fans speculating about half-siblings or step-siblings from their father's side.
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Regardless of the exact headcount, the "Einbinder Energy" is clearly a collective thing. They seem to have this pact to keep comedy weird, honest, and slightly uncomfortable.
Why This Matters Right Now
We are in an era of "Clean Comedy" versus "Chaos Comedy."
Hannah represents the peak of the polished, narrative-driven comedy. Her Emmy win in 2025 for Hacks proved that she’s moved past being "Laraine Newman’s daughter" and is now just "Hannah Einbinder." She has become the face of a new generation of queer, Jewish women in comedy who refuse to play the "damsel" or the "jester."
Spike, on the other hand, represents the fringe moving into the mainstream. By bringing drag-influenced, surrealist performance art into A24 movies, Spike is making space for performers who don't fit into the "leading man" or "leading lady" boxes.
How to Follow the Einbinder Takeover
If you're looking to dive deeper into their work, don't just stick to the big streaming hits.
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- Watch Hacks (HBO/Max): Season 4 just dropped, and Hannah’s chemistry with Jean Smart is basically a masterclass in acting.
- Find Spike’s Live Shows: Spike tours frequently with their solo show Visions. It’s a mix of stand-up and "joke-scryer" performance. It’s wild.
- Listen to StraightioLab: Spike has guest-starred on this podcast, and it's the best way to hear their actual voice and philosophy on "straight culture."
- Follow Laraine Newman on X/Twitter: Seriously. She’s one of the few "legacy" stars who actually knows how to use the internet. Her commentary on her kids' careers is gold.
The Einbinder siblings aren't just a flash in the pan. They are the result of fifty years of comedy DNA meeting a very modern, very unapologetic sensibility. Whether they’re winning Emmys or playing demons in indie films, they’re the ones to watch.
Next Steps: Check out Spike Einbinder's guest appearance on the StraightioLab podcast to see their surrealist humor in action, or catch up on the latest season of Hacks to see Hannah's evolution into a comedy powerhouse.