Crisp was born in 1983 and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she began performing in community theater. She graduated from Agua Fria High School.
She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts from 2001 to 2003. After graduating, she studied Shakespeare at the British American Dramatic Academy's Midsummer in Oxford program.
Chelsey made her TV debut on Scare Tactics (2004) and her first leading role in a film was in Dr. Chopper (2005). She went on to guest star in The Office, CSI: Miami, Journeyman, Better off Ted, Happy Endings, Rizzoli & Isles, Mike & Molly, and New Girl, among others. Crisp also starred as Chloe, one of the contestants on the mock reality game show, The Joe Schmo Show.
Crisp is the artistic Director and member of the comedy team Duchess Riot, formed in 2011, that performs improv and Sketch comedy.
Chelsey Crisp is married to Screenwriter Rhett Reese since 2016. They reside in Los Angeles.
Crisp stars in the ABC comedy series Fresh Off the Boat as the Huang family’s neighbor, Honey. Fresh off the Boat is inspired by the life of chef and food personality Eddie Huang and his book Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir. On May 12, 2017, ABC renewed the series for a fourth season.