Kathy Kinney | |
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Born | Stevens Point, Wisconsin, U.S. | November 3, 1954
Medium | Stand-up comedy, television, film, voice |
Nationality | American |
Years active | 1986–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.
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 .
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.
Film | |||
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Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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 | ||
2000 | Business of Acting | Herself | Documentary |
Picking Up the Pieces | Mrs. Tatler | ||
Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel | Red Neck Nurse | ||
Behind the Seams | Freddie | ||
2003 | Bitter Jester | Herself | Documentary |
2004 | Al Roach: Private Insectigator | Betty Earwiggins | Short film |
2005 | Lenny the Wonder Dog | Lisa Lathers | |
2010 | Starter Home | Sandi | Short film |
Television | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1988 | Inherit the Wind | Woman at Depot | TV movie |
Promised a Miracle | Cindy Wilson | TV movie | |
1989-1990 | Newhart | Prudence Godard | 9 episodes |
1990 | Grand | Marge | Season 2 episode 8: "Lady Luck" |
1991 | Tagteam | Instructor | TV movie |
Dream On | Nora | Season 2 episode 9: "Play Melville for Me" | |
1992 | Cruel Doubt | Skeptical Neighbor | Mini-series |
The Larry Sanders Show | Dog Trainer | Season episode 1: "What Have You Done for Me Lately?" | |
Step by Step | The Proctor | Season 2 episode 1: "S.A.T. Blues" | |
1993 | Seinfeld | Bystander | Season 4 episode 22: "The Handicap Spot" |
Fallen Angels | Mrs. Sullivan | Season 1 episode 3: "The Quiet Room" | |
1994 | Bakersfield P.D. | Mrs. Blaisher | Episode 17: "Last One Into the Water" |
1995 | Full House | Mrs. Bedrosian | Season 8 episode 14: "Super Bowl Fun Day" |
Boy Meets World | Rifkin | Season 2 episode 16: "Danger Boy" | |
Grace Under Fire | Nurse | Season 2 episode 18: "Emmet Bypass" | |
Runway One | Proprietor of Motel | TV movie | |
1995-2004 | The Drew Carey Show | Mimi Bobeck / Mimi Bobeck Carey | Main role - 233 episodes |
1996 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Katie Banks | Season 4 episode 9: "Ghosts" |
1997 | Coach | Mimi Bobeck | Season 19 episode 15: "Viva Las Ratings" |
1998 | General Hospital | Waitress | Episode: April 2, 1998 |
The Brian Benben Show | The Facilitator | Episode 3: "Brian's Got Back, Part 1" | |
Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Herself | Season 1 episode 6: September 9, 1998 | |
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place | Mimi Bobeck | Season 2 episode 6: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Psycho Halloween" | |
1998-1998 | ABC TGIF | Mimi Bobeck | 2 episodes - Previews of upcoming episodes of The Drew Carey Show |
1999 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Episode: "The Seed Jar" | |
The Hughleys | Mimi Bobeck Carey | Season 2 episode 1: "Young Guns" | |
1999-2000 | The Norm Show | Mimi Bobeck Carey / Betty | Also known as Norm Show 2 episodes |
1999-2001 | Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot | Jenny the Monkey | Also known as The Big Guy and Rusty Credited as Kathryn Kinney Voice 26 episodes |
1999-2003 | Hollywood Squares | Herself / Mimi - Panelist | 25 episodes |
2002 | Pepper Ann | Mama Destructo (voice) | 2 episodes |
2001 | Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars | Herself | |
Nikki | Vegas Woman | Season 1 episode 12: "Let It Ride" | |
Rock & Roll Back to School Special | Mimi Bobeck (Money) Carey | TV special | |
2002 | Pyramid | Herself / Celebrity Contestant | 1 episode |
3-South | Voice Episode 2: "Stomach Pump" | ||
What's New, Scooby-Doo? | Sheriff Ellen Perkins | Voice Season 1 episode 14: "Scooby-Doo Christmas" | |
2003 | Fillmore! | O'Farrell's Mom | Voice Season 1 episode 13: "A Forgotten Yesterday" |
CatDog | Brat | Voice Season 3 episode 8: "Harasslin' Match/Dog the Not-So-Mighty" | |
2004 | Green Screen Show | Herself | Episode #1.2 |
2007 | My Name Is Earl | Officer Bowman | 3 episodes |
2009-2010 | The Price Is Right | Mimi Bobeck | 2 episodes |
2009-2011 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Rhonda | 2 episodes |
2009-2013 | The Secret Life of the American Teenager | Bunny / Butcher Shop Lady | 33 episodes |
2011 | Working Class | Dot | Episode 5: "Lunch Lady" |
Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza | Herself / Performer | 19 episodes | |
Love Bites | Karen | Episode 5: "Stand and Deliver" Segment: "Not to Speak" | |
2016 | Baby Daddy | Judy | Season 5 episode 15: "Unholy Matrimony" |
2019 | American Housewife | Lunch Lady | Season 4 episode 3: "Bigger Kids, Bigger Problems" |
2020 | Stumptown | Franny Lewis | Episode 12: "Dirty Dexy Money" |
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.
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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.
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.