Sunda Croonquist, Actor, Comedian and Cookbook Author

Sunda Croonquist was born in Paterson, New Jersey to an African-American mother and Swedish father. Inspired by her father’s career as a musician and having a stage/pageant mom, Croonquist wanted to be an entertainer at a very young age. She was runner up in the Miss America Pageant's preliminary representing the state of New Jersey. Years later she again represented New Jersey but this time as “New Jersey’s Funniest Female.” With a BA in Criminal Justice, Croonquist also worked as a probation and parole review officer in Newark, New Jersey. She then worked as a detective while taking acting classes and eventually landed roles in local plays and films. Sunda started the LA School of Comedy to help build confidence to take that first step onto the stage. She'll also be sharing her story about why she wrote a cookbook, Kosher Soul Food with Chef Nir Weinblut.