Kathy Kinney

Last updated

Kathy Kinney
Born (1954-11-03) November 3, 1954 (age 68)
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, U.S.
Medium Stand-up comedy, television, film, voice
NationalityAmerican
Years active1986–present
Notable works and roles Newhart and Mimi Bobeck on The Drew Carey Show

Kathy Kinney (born November 3, 1954, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin) is an American actress, voice actress, and comedian. She gained considerable popularity in the late 1990s for playing Mimi Bobeck, the outrageously made-up, flamboyantly vulgar, and vindictive nemesis of Drew Carey on the sitcom The Drew Carey Show . [1] She had been involved in television, feature film, and stage work for years.

Contents

Biography

Early life

Kinney was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, [2] the daughter of Irish American parents Harold Kinney, an automobile dealer, and Marian Kinney. [3] Her father died when she was 15 years old. [2]

After high school, Kathy Kinney worked for the California Conservation Corps between 1972 and 1974. After completing a six-month Back Country season in Kings Canyon, she left the program with thousands of dollars in scholarships. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in the seventies and officially received her degree in 2016. [4] In 1976, she moved to New York City, where she found work as a secretary at WCBS-TV. [2] Her boss enjoyed hunting, and sometimes she chatted with him about his hunting trips, occasionally quipping, "So, did you kill anything this week?" She used this experience to inspire herself for the role of Mimi. During this time at WCBS she worked nights at New York comedy clubs to improve her improvisational comedy skills. This led to a job teaching improv classes. Director Bill Sherwood attended; he later wrote a part for her in his 1986 film, Parting Glances .

Career

Armed with the success of Parting Glances, Kinney visited friends in Los Angeles, and decided to permanently move there to pursue a career in acting. In L.A., Kinney worked regularly as a character actress, getting small roles in various TV series such as Seinfeld (Season 4, Episode 22, "The Handicap Spot)," Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (with Drew Carey, contemporaneous with The Drew Carey Show 's second season), Grace Under Fire, Full House, Boy Meets World, The Larry Sanders Show, and My Name Is Earl. Her first memorable television role is generally considered her regular stint on Newhart as Miss Goddard, the town librarian (1989–1990). [2]

Kinney has avoided auditions for what she calls "the heavy-girl roles". Critics occasionally grumble that Mimi Bobeck, her character on The Drew Carey Show, is a waddling fat joke, but her weight has never seemed to be the point of a fat joke. "One time I had to say to Drew, 'Aw, you're just fat,' as the ultimate put-down. I personally don't like it, but if fat jokes slip in because they're funny, I don't care." She is, however, less comfortable about being typecast because of her weight. "Once in a while I would lose some weight, just by accident, and someone would say to me, 'You're going to diet yourself out of a career,'" she said. "And I tell them 'I'm losing weight, not my talent.' Why is it the first thing [some people] look at is the shape? It points up to me the prejudice that still exists."

The Drew Carey Show aired from 1995 - 2004. Mimi was originally intended for a one-time appearance on the pilot, [2] when she interviewed for a cosmetics job at Winfred-Louder. When she was turned down due to her garish makeup, Mimi raised a fuss and threatened to sue. Positive public reaction prompted the Mimi storyline to continue (the store hired her as a secretary to prevent her from suing). [5]

Kinney has also appeared in the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? , again working with Drew Carey. Kinney's filmography includes Arachnophobia , Stanley & Iris , Scrooged , Three Fugitives , Lenny the Wonder Dog , and This Boy's Life . In 2006 she visited Iraq with former co-star Drew Carey and his Improv All-Star Team, a series of USO performances for American troops; film of her appearance appears in the documentary Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie .

In 2008, Kinney became the co-creator and star of MrsP.com, an entertainment website for children. [1] Kinney portrays Mrs. P, an eccentric redhead who loves books and reads classic children's stories from her magical library. [6] After nearly two years in development, the site launched in beta on November 10, 2008.

On March 24, 2009, Kinney appeared in character as Mimi in the beginning of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson . A week later (April Fools' Day), Kinney reprised her role as Mimi during that day's The Price Is Right , [1] hosted by Carey, appearing as a guest model. [7] She repeated the role on April Fool's Day 2010, this time usurping the post of executive producer. She replaced the show's announcer with a man in a monkey suit along with using four male models. [7]

She guest starred on The Penguins of Madagascar as Rhonda the walrus, Marlene's disgusting roommate, in the 2009 episode "Roomies." Rhonda made a second appearance in the episode "The Hoboken Surprise" in 2011.[ citation needed ]

In March 2010, Kinney co-authored with Cindy Ratzlaff a book entitled Queen of Your Own Life: The Grown-up Woman's Guide to Claiming Happiness and Getting the Life You Deserve, published by Harlequin. [6]

Kinney also guest-starred on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. [1] Beginning in March 2011, Kinney appeared in Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza.

In September 2019, Kinney appeared on American Housewife. She played the lunch lady in the episode "Bigger Kids, Bigger Problems" and she reunites with former co-stars Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles and Diedrich Bader as part of ABC's Cast from the Past Week.

Filmography

Film

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1986 Parting Glances Joan
1988 Scrooged IBC Nurse
1989 Three Fugitives Receptionist
1990 Stanley & Iris Bernice
Arachnophobia Blaire Kendall
1991 The Linguini Incident Denise
1993 This Boy's Life Marian
Mr. Jones Homeless Lady
2000Business of ActingHerselfDocumentary
Picking Up the Pieces Mrs. Tatler
Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel Red Neck Nurse
Behind the SeamsFreddie
2003Bitter JesterHerselfDocumentary
2004Al Roach: Private InsectigatorBetty EarwigginsShort film
2005 Lenny the Wonder Dog Lisa Lathers
2010Starter HomeSandiShort film

Television

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1988 Inherit the Wind Woman at DepotTV movie
Promised a MiracleCindy WilsonTV movie
1989-1990 Newhart Prudence Godard9 episodes
1990 Grand MargeSeason 2 episode 8: "Lady Luck"
1991TagteamInstructorTV movie
Dream On NoraSeason 2 episode 9: "Play Melville for Me"
1992 Cruel Doubt Skeptical NeighborMini-series
The Larry Sanders Show Dog TrainerSeason episode 1: "What Have You Done for Me Lately?"
Step by Step The ProctorSeason 2 episode 1: "S.A.T. Blues"
1993 Seinfeld BystanderSeason 4 episode 22: "The Handicap Spot"
Fallen Angels Mrs. SullivanSeason 1 episode 3: "The Quiet Room"
1994 Bakersfield P.D. Mrs. BlaisherEpisode 17: "Last One Into the Water"
1995 Full House Mrs. BedrosianSeason 8 episode 14: "Super Bowl Fun Day"
Boy Meets World RifkinSeason 2 episode 16: "Danger Boy"
Grace Under Fire NurseSeason 2 episode 18: "Emmet Bypass"
Runway OneProprietor of MotelTV movie
1995-2004 The Drew Carey Show Mimi Bobeck / Mimi Bobeck CareyMain role - 233 episodes
1996 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Katie BanksSeason 4 episode 9: "Ghosts"
1997 Coach Mimi BobeckSeason 19 episode 15: "Viva Las Ratings"
1998 General Hospital WaitressEpisode: April 2, 1998
The Brian Benben Show The FacilitatorEpisode 3: "Brian's Got Back, Part 1"
Whose Line Is It Anyway? HerselfSeason 1 episode 6: September 9, 1998
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place Mimi BobeckSeason 2 episode 6: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Psycho Halloween"
1998-1998 ABC TGIF Mimi Bobeck2 episodes - Previews of upcoming episodes of The Drew Carey Show
1999 Chicken Soup for the Soul Episode: "The Seed Jar"
The Hughleys Mimi Bobeck CareySeason 2 episode 1: "Young Guns"
1999-2000 The Norm Show Mimi Bobeck Carey / BettyAlso known as Norm Show
2 episodes
1999-2001 Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot Jenny the MonkeyAlso known as The Big Guy and Rusty
Credited as Kathryn Kinney
Voice
26 episodes
1999-2003 Hollywood Squares Herself / Mimi - Panelist25 episodes
2002 Pepper Ann Mama Destructo (voice)2 episodes
2001Drew Carey's Improv All-StarsHerself
Nikki Vegas WomanSeason 1 episode 12: "Let It Ride"
Rock & Roll Back to School SpecialMimi Bobeck (Money) CareyTV special
2002 Pyramid Herself / Celebrity Contestant1 episode
3-South Voice
Episode 2: "Stomach Pump"
What's New, Scooby-Doo? Sheriff Ellen PerkinsVoice
Season 1 episode 14: "Scooby-Doo Christmas"
2003 Fillmore! O'Farrell's MomVoice
Season 1 episode 13: "A Forgotten Yesterday"
CatDog BratVoice
Season 3 episode 8: "Harasslin' Match/Dog the Not-So-Mighty"
2004Green Screen ShowHerselfEpisode #1.2
2007 My Name Is Earl Officer Bowman3 episodes
2009-2010 The Price Is Right Mimi Bobeck2 episodes
2009-2011 The Penguins of Madagascar Rhonda2 episodes
2009-2013 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Bunny / Butcher Shop Lady33 episodes
2011 Working Class DotEpisode 5: "Lunch Lady"
Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza Herself / Performer19 episodes
Love Bites KarenEpisode 5: "Stand and Deliver"
Segment: "Not to Speak"
2016 Baby Daddy JudySeason 5 episode 15: "Unholy Matrimony"
2019 American Housewife Lunch LadySeason 4 episode 3: "Bigger Kids, Bigger Problems"
2020 Stumptown Franny LewisEpisode 12: "Dirty Dexy Money"

Related Research Articles

<i>Coach</i> (TV series) American television sitcom

Coach is an American sitcom television series that aired for nine seasons on ABC from February 28, 1989 to May 14, 1997, with a total of 200 half-hour episodes. The series stars Craig T. Nelson as Hayden Fox, head coach of the fictional NCAA Division I-A Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles football team. For the last two seasons, Coach Fox and the supporting characters coached the Orlando Breakers, a fictional National Football League expansion team. The program also starred Jerry Van Dyke as Luther Van Dam and Bill Fagerbakke as Michael "Dauber" Dybinski, assistant coaches under Fox. The role of Hayden's girlfriend Christine Armstrong, a television news anchor, was played by Shelley Fabares.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Curry (actor)</span> American actor, comedian, and host

Marcus G. Curry, known professionally as Mark Curry, is an American actor, comedian, and host. Curry is best known for his role as Mark Cooper, ex–basketball player turned teacher on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper which originally aired from 1992 to 1997. Curry also served as one of the various hosts of the syndicated series It's Showtime at the Apollo during the early 1990s. Curry co-starred in all three seasons of See Dad Run, Nick At Nite's first original live-action family comedy series, from 2012 to 2015.

<i>Drew Careys Green Screen Show</i> American television series

Drew Carey's Green Screen Show is an American improvisational comedy television series that aired in the fall of 2004 on The WB, and the fall of 2005 on Comedy Central. The show was hosted by Drew Carey, and was somewhat a follow-up to the show he formerly hosted, Whose Line Is It Anyway?. The distinguishing feature of the show was that the improv games were performed in front of a "green screen", with animation, music and sound effects inserted in post-production. The show was otherwise very similar to Whose Line? and featured many of the same performers and games.

The American television game show The Price Is Right has, since its 1972 relaunch, employed a number of models to showcase the prizes and items that are given away on the show. From 1972 to 2007, the group was referred to as "Barker's Beauties", in reference to Bob Barker, who hosted the show during that period.

Jonathan Mangum is an American actor and comedian. He was a cast member of the variety show The Wayne Brady Show and is the announcer for the game show Let's Make a Deal.

<i>The Drew Carey Show</i> American television sitcom

The Drew Carey Show is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from September 13, 1995 to September 8, 2004. Set in Cleveland, Ohio, the series revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the comedian.

Clay Graham is an American comedy writer, television producer and website creator, best known for his work on The Drew Carey Show and the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Carey</span> American actor, comedian and game show host (born 1958)

Drew Allison Carey is an American comedian, actor and game show host. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and making a name for himself in stand-up comedy, he gained stardom in his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and as host of the U.S. version of the improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, both of which aired on ABC. He then appeared in several films, television series, music videos, a made-for-television film, and a computer game. He has hosted the game show The Price Is Right since October 15, 2007 on CBS.

MrsP.com is a free children's entertainment website. It stars actress Kathy Kinney as Mrs. P, a redheaded Irishwoman who reads classic children's stories from her "Magic Library." The target audience for the website is kids between the ages of 3-12, and its goal is to "encourage a lifetime love of reading." It has no advertising and no subscription fees. The site is produced by Mrs P Enterprises, LLC and was created by Kinney, who played Mimi on The Drew Carey Show, TV writer and producer Clay Graham, and former entertainment and New Media executive Dana Plautz.

<i>Whose Line Is It Anyway?</i> (American TV series) American improv TV series

Whose Line Is It Anyway? is an American improvisational comedy television show, and is an adaptation of the British show of the same name. It originally aired on ABC and ABC Family from August 5, 1998 to December 15, 2007, hosted by Drew Carey. A revival of the show, hosted by Aisha Tyler, began airing on The CW on July 16, 2013.

Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza is an American improvisational comedy television program that aired in the United States on the Game Show Network (GSN). Produced at the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand in Paradise, Nevada, the series was hosted by Drew Carey, host of the original American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, a similar show that featured several of the same cast members. The show premiered on April 11, 2011, airing 40 episodes in total. The series completed its eight-week run on June 3, 2011. Despite only lasting for one season, critical reception of the show was generally positive.

"Drew Cam" is the ninth episode of the fifth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and the 110th overall. The episode sees Drew becoming a 24-hour salesman for the Winfred-Louder department store. Webcams are installed in his house and he has to promote the store's range of appliances. While Drew is out, the webcams continue to stream events that occur in his house. When the viewers become bored of Drew's life, Kate O'Brien is hired to play his girlfriend for the show. She is soon replaced by Isabel, who Kate becomes jealous of. She eventually tells Drew that she loves him during the webcast.

"Pilot" is the first episode and the series premiere of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show. It first aired on September 13, 1995, on the ABC network in the United States. The premise of the show revolves around the life Drew Carey would have lived if he had not become a stand-up comedian. The pilot introduces the main characters of Drew (Carey), Kate, Lewis and Oswald, as well as Drew's workplace, the fictional Winfred-Lauder department store, and enemy Mimi Bobeck.

"Drew Live" is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and the 109th overall. The episode's plot focuses on Drew trying to stop his friend, Kate, from pursuing a relationship with a mystery man, as Drew is in love with her. However, Drew is unaware that he is stopping Kate from pursuing him. Meanwhile, Drew's brother Steve Carey and his fiancée Mimi Bobeck hold a joint bachelor and bachelorette party.

"The High Road to China" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and the 83rd overall. The episode's plot sees Drew stranded in China without money or his passport by his enemy Mimi Bobeck, after he plays an elaborate practical joke on her. Drew finds help from Ming, a local woman who speaks English, who offers him shelter and a job. Meanwhile, Drew's friends struggle to come up with a plan to get him back home to Cleveland.

"Drew's in a Coma" is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and the 142nd overall. The plot of the episode sees Drew left in a coma after he is hit by a car. Drew entertains himself through a fantasy world he creates, while his friends try various things to get him to wake up. At the end of the episode, Drew chooses whether to go to heaven or not and his sister-in-law, Mimi, goes into labor. The episode was written by Les Firestein and directed by Gerry Cohen. It first aired on February 7, 2001, on the ABC network in the United States.

"In Ramada Da Vida" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and the 77th overall. It first aired on September 30, 1998 on the ABC network in the United States. The plot of the episode sees Drew and his friends form a band to play at a Ramada Inn. After they are offered a regular gig by the hotel manager, they realise they need a guitarist and audition several hopefuls. Meanwhile, Kate O'Brien decides to quit her job to find something more fulfilling.

"Drew Carey's Back-to-School Rock 'n' Roll Comedy Hour" is a double-episode of the American television comedy series The Drew Carey Show, covering the 1st and 2nd episodes of the seventh season, and the 155th and 156th episodes overall of the series. It first aired on September 26, 2001 on the ABC network in the United States. The episode, which does not follow the ongoing narrative of the sitcom, is formatted as a variety show, featuring the members of the cast along with guest stars Jenny McCarthy and Amanda Bynes performing comedy sketches out of character, loosely oriented around a middle/high school theme. Interspersed between sketches are musical performances from Sugar Ray, SHeDAISY, Smash Mouth, Uncle Kracker and the Peter Frampton band.

"Brotherhood of Man" is the 27th episode of the fourth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show. It also serves as the show's 100th episode and the season finale. The plot sees the staff of Winfred-Louder given a month-long vacation by the new Dutch owners as the store is renovated, except for Drew Carey, who has to stay behind to make sure the wages are paid. He learns the owners plan to demolish the store putting the employees out of work. Drew then has to decide whether to inform his co-workers or take a promotion. Meanwhile, Drew's friend Oswald Lee Harvey buys a pay phone in order to make money.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Melissa, Melissa (August 26, 2009). "Kathy Kinney and the emancipation of Mimi". Las Vegas Sun . Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Storm, Jonathan (December 3, 1996). "She's The Big Draw On 'Drew' As Sharp-tongued Mimi, Kathy Kinney Holds Her Own With Funnyman Drew Carey. Who's The Person Behind The Muumuu And All That Makeup?". philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network . Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  3. Kathy Kinney Biography, filmreference.com; accessed January 5, 2018.
  4. Kathy Kinney Biography - Yahoo! Movies
  5. "Your Town Stevens Point: Kathy Kinney: A Wisconsin Girl at Heart". WSAW-TV. December 19, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Kathy Kinney, Who Played Drew Carey's TV Nemesis, Looks Back On Iconic 'Mimi' Role". The Huffington Post . November 3, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Dawidziak, Mark (March 30, 2010). "Kathy Kinney reprising Mimi character on Drew Carey's 'The Price is Right'". The Plain Dealer . Retrieved March 2, 2016.