Crista Flanagan is an American television and film actress. She was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois. She received a BS in Theatre from the University of Evansville. Flanagan received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine, where she sharpened her theatrical skills in plays including Fool for Love, The Time of our Life, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Marriage of Figaro and Oklahoma!. Her extensive background in theater led to the development of Flanagan's one-person show titled But wait…I have Impressions!. Flanagan's notable guest appearances on television include Mad Men, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Practice, ER, and a recurring role on You've Got a Friend. She also played the role of Hermione Granger in the 2007 film, Epic Movie.

Flanagan officially joined the cast of MADtv in 2005 as a feature performer, for the tenth season, then became a repertory cast member at the beginning of the following season. Her frequent impersonations were of Alex Hooser, Ellen Pompeo Heidi Klum Patricia Arquette, Natalie Mainesof the Dixie Chicks, Hayden Panettiereand Hannah Montanna.

The majority of Flanagan's characters usually end up crying, bleeding, and getting physically/emotionally abused.

She partnered up with the team behind Ask A Ninja to create a video podcast called Hope is Emo, an internet comedy podcast that satires the life of a struggling emo girl named Hope. Crista plays the title character.