Kristen Wiig: Gender doesn't affect humour

Kristen Wiig thinks "funny is funny" no matter the gender.

The US actress is known for her comedy skills, which she regularly showed off on Saturday Night Live and now brings to Hollywood movies.

The 41-year-old was announced as one of the cast for the upcoming all-girl version of Ghostbusters with fellow funny women Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong, but says the sex of the characters shouldn't be such a talking point.

"I always think it's funny when there's a movie with women in it, it's called a female comedy, but when there's a movie with men, it's just a comedy. OK, there are things that women think are funnier than men do and that men think are funnier than women do, but when it comes down to it, funny is funny," she mused to British Hello! magazine.

Despite her funny bones, a career in comedy seemed a long way off for a young Kristen.

She doesn't remember being the class clown, and even thought that a career in Hollywood would mean a massive house share with a bunch of other actors.

"It's strange because I don't remember it particularly, but I did look at my high school yearbook not long ago and people did write that I was funny then, which I remember thinking was weird at the time.

"I always knew I wanted to be an actor, but I also didn't really think it was a possibility. I associated acting with Hollywood and I just thought that all actors lived in LA together," she laughed.