Miriam Flynn

Last updated
Miriam Flynn
Born (1952-06-18) June 18, 1952 (age 71)
OccupationActress
Years active1979–present
SpouseWill Aldis
Children2
External image
Searchtool.svg Miriam Flynn IMDb photo

Miriam Flynn (born June 18, 1952) [1] is an American voice and character actress. She is best known as Cousin Catherine in the National Lampoon's Vacation and Grandma Longneck in The Land Before Time franchises. She has acted in other films and in several television series, the latter including a recurring role as Sister Helen on the Fox/WB sitcom Grounded for Life .

Contents

Career

Second City

Before breaking into television, Flynn was a member of the Second City improv troupe in 1975. She appeared on stage alongside Shelley Long, George Wendt, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, and James Belushi.

Film and television

Flynn was a regular cast member in The Tim Conway Show , a comedy-variety show that aired on CBS from March 1980 through summer 1981, acting in sketch comedy in each episode. [2] :1203 She then starred in her own sitcom, Maggie , on ABC, but the show was short-lived, airing in October and November 1981 and in April–May 1982 before being cancelled. [2] :720 She appeared in an episode of the classic television show Cheers entitled "Love Thy Neighbor" (Season 4, Episode 8, air date November 21, 1985) in which she played Phyllis Henshaw, Norm & Vera Peterson's next-door neighbor. In fall 1988, she co-starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom Raising Miranda . [2] :977

In 1995, she was the voice of Maa the Ewe in the hit film, Babe . In 1996–1997, she was a regular cast member in Malcolm & Eddie , playing Kelly, a bar owner and landlord to the main characters, for the program's first season. [2] :726

From 2001 to 2005 she played the recurring character Sister Helen on the Fox/WB sitcom Grounded for Life . In 2004, she played Coop's mom in Megas XLR . Flynn also appeared in an episode of George Lopez "George VS. George" (2003) episode. In that episode she played the role of Brenda, a bank employee.

As a voice artist, Flynn has been featured in The Land Before Time series, as Grandma Longneck after Linda Gary's death in 1995; on both Taz-Mania and What-a-Mess as the title character's mother, Jean; as Poil in The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper ; and in Family Guy as well as Rudy's mother, Millie Tabootie on the Nickelodeon show, ChalkZone and Aunt Vera on the Cartoon Network show, Ben 10 .

Her best known film role is as Cousin Catherine in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2 (2003). Her other acting roles include First Family (1980), National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982), Mr. Mom (1983), Family Ties (1986), For Keeps (1988), 18 Again! (1988), Stealing Home (1988), Lonely Hearts (1991), Evolution (2001), Wieners (2008), About Fifty (2011) and Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (2011).

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1980 First Family Feebleman's Secretary
1982 National Lampoon's Class Reunion Bunny Packard
1983 Mr. Mom Annette
1983 National Lampoon's Vacation Cousin Catherine
1988 For Keeps Donna Elliot
1988 18 Again! Betty Watson
1988 Stealing Home Mrs. Parks
1989 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Cousin Catherine Johnson
1991 Lonely Hearts Helen
1995 Babe MaaVoice
1996 Waiting for Guffman Costume Dresser
1996 Carpool Franklin's MomVoice
1997 Vegas Vacation Cousin Catherine
1997 The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island Grandma LongneckVoice
1998 The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock
2000 Chump Change Bussler Waitress
2000The Best of Dr. SeussYookie-Ann Sue / Teacher
2000 Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman Principal Milliken
2000 The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire Grandma Longneck
2000 The Emperor's New Groove The Piñata Lady
2001 Evolution Grace
2001Man and CatMan's GrandmaVoice
2001 The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze Grandma Longneck
2002 The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water Diplodocus Mom / Grandma Longneck
2003 The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration Grandma Longneck
2005 The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses
2006 The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers
2007 The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends
2008 Wieners Ben's Mom
2009Nowhere to HidePriscella
2011 About Fifty Nancy
2011 Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star Debbie Larson
2014All StarsMiriam Carson
2016 The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave Grandma LongneckVoice
2016Taking LibertyMrs. Batesome
2019Extracurricular ActivitiesMrs. Reed

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979 Who's Watching the Kids? Ms. CollinsEpisode: "Good News, Bad News"
1981–1982 Maggie Maggie Weston8 episodes
1983 Gimme a Break! Mrs. BrandtEpisode: "Glenlawn Street Blues"
1983Full HouseBoobie HallTelevision film
1984Her Life as a ManSheila
1984Mr. SuccessHelen Silt
1984 Silver Spoons Myrna LippincottlemanEpisode: "Twas the Night Before Christmas"
1984, 1991 Night Court Helen Liptz / Phyllis Simon2 episodes
1985 Webster Jan MorganEpisode: "The Uh-Oh Feeling"
1985 Snorks Additional voicesEpisode: "Snorkitis Is Nothing to Sneeze At/The Whole Toot and Nothing But..."
1985 Cheers Phyllis HenshawEpisode: "Love Thy Neighbor"
1985 Riptide Marian FlynnEpisode: "Robin and Marian"
1986 Family Ties Mrs. CarpenterEpisode: "My Buddy"
1986Christmas Every DayHelen / Franny / WillTelevision film
1986–1990 The Magical World of Disney Gandra Dee / Helen3 episodes
1986–1987 Foofur Voice16 episodes
1987, 1988 CBS Summer Playhouse Cookie Lippman / Betty2 episodes
1988 The New Yogi Bear Show Additional voices4 episodes
1988 Raising Miranda Joan Hoodenpyle9 episodes
1988, 1989 The Tracey Ullman Show Miss Clark / Jill2 episodes
1988, 1993 L.A. Law Edie Moffit / Madeleine
1989Hound TownSashaTelevision film
1989 Dear John PennyEpisode: "The Other Group"
1989 The Butter Battle Book Yookie-Ann Sue / Teacher / Various YooksTelevision film
1989–1990 DuckTales Gandra Dee7 episodes
1990 The Simpsons Miss BarrEpisode: "Moaning Lisa"
1990 Murder, She Wrote ViEpisode: "Murder -- According to Maggie"
1990 Monsters LuannEpisode: "Murray's Monster"
1990The FlockensPatricia FlockenTelevision film
1991 Murphy Brown Ellen SmithEpisode: "The Smiths Go to Washington"
1991–1995 Taz-Mania Various voices40 episodes
1991–1996 Bobby's World Voice7 episodes
1992 Herman's Head Dr. Nina BergstromEpisode: "That's What Friends Aren't For"
1992 Stand by Your Man Adrienne Stone / Arlene Stone5 episodes
1992 Doogie Howser, M.D. Real Estate AgentEpisode: "Doogie Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
1993 Picket Fences Alice FreemanEpisode: "Bad Moons Rising"
1993 Civil Wars Dr. PleasanceEpisode: "A Liver Runs Through It"
1993 Mighty Max Professor MacDougallEpisode: "Werewolves of Dunneglen"
1994 The Second Half RachelEpisode: "Far and Awry"
1994 The Nanny Country Club ManagerEpisode: "I Don't Remember Mama"
1994 Madman of the People LorraineEpisode: "Jack Has Left the Building"
1994–1995 The Tick Charles' Mother4 episodes
1995 Indictment: The McMartin Trial Judge BobbTelevision film
1995 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Evelyn Kincaid
1995Letter to My KillerPersonnel Director
1995 Hope & Gloria Dr. RoseEpisode: "A Midsummer Night's Trim"
1995 Murder One Robin ZeitlinEpisode: "Chapter Eight"
1995 Life with Louie Aunt MimiEpisode: "The Fourth Thursday in November"
1995 Partners SaleswomanEpisode: "Fourteen Minutes?"
1995 What-a-Mess Mother3 episodes
1996 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries GretaEpisode: "Don't Polka Me/The Granny Vanishes"
1996 Quack Pack Mrs. RobinsonEpisode: "The Unusual Suspects
1996–1997 Malcolm & Eddie Kelly6 episodes
1996–1997 The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper Poil16 episodes
1997 The Legend of Calamity Jane Lonely Sue13 episodes
1997 The Practice Mary StokesEpisode: "Part IV"
1997 Jenny Mother SuperiorEpisode: "Pilot"
1997 Pinky and the Brain WomanEpisode: "Leggo My Ego/Big in Japan"
1998 Ally McBeal Karen PooleEpisode: "The Playing Field"
1998 3rd Rock from the Sun Suzie MartinEpisode: "Stuck with Dick"
1998 Brooklyn South Dee / Alison WilliamsEpisode: "Cinnamon Buns"
1998 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Mrs. FrankEpisode: "I Only Have Eyes for You"
1998 The New Batman Adventures Zaltig LadyEpisode: "Mean Seasons"
1998 Dharma & Greg JasmineEpisode: "Unarmed and Dangerous"
1998 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine MidwifeEpisode: "Covenant"
1998 Rugrats Customer / Voice / Party GoerEpisode: "Baking Dil/Hair!"
1999 Batman Beyond T.V. NewscasterEpisode: "Disappearing Inque"
2001 Malcolm in the Middle Cooking TeacherEpisode: "Reese Cooks"
2001 Static Shock Ms. PettiboneEpisode: "Tantrum"
2001 A Kitty Bobo Show Mrs. BoboTelevision short
2001 Providence Mrs. HartfordEpisode: "You Can Count on Me"
2001 Once and Again Gayle StephensonEpisode: "Destiny Turns on the Radio"
2001–2005 Grounded for Life Sister Helen22 episodes
2002, 2003 Judging Amy Winkie2 episodes
2002–2008 ChalkZone Mildred Trish "Millie" Tabootie, Various characters18 episodes
2003 George Lopez BrendaEpisode: "George vs. George"
2003 Ozzy & Drix DrixeenEpisode: "An Out of Body Experience: Part 2"
2003 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2 Catherine JohnsonTelevision film
2004 Happy Family BarbEpisode: "Rules and Girls"
2004 Century City JudgeEpisode: "Only You"
2004 Second Time Around BelindaEpisode: "Secrets"
2004 Megas XLR Coop's Mom / Woman / Old Lady3 episodes
2005Fielder's ChoiceRoseTelevision film
2006 Ben 10 Vera TennysonEpisode: "Permanent Retirement"
2006 'Til Death Bonnie WoodcockEpisode: "Your Mother or Your Wife"
2007 Las Vegas BettyEpisode: "Wagers of Sin"
2007 The Young and the Restless Edna McCallisterEpisode #1.8585
2007 Desperate Housewives Dr. Berman2 episodes
2007 The Land Before Time Grandma Longneck5 episodes
2007 Cavemen Rose ClaybrookEpisode: "Nick Get Job"
2007 Grey's Anatomy Gretchen BitzerEpisode: "The Heart of the Matter"
2007 Boston Legal Gretchen WintersEpisode: "The Object of My Affection"
2008Cranberry ChristmasGranny / Sister WhiskersTelevision film
2009 Big Love Aunt DotEpisode: "Come, Ye Saints"
2009Married Not DeadMs. GiamattiTelevision film
2010 The Life & Times of Tim Woman in ChurchEpisode: "The Comeback Sermon/Atlantic City"
2010 Good Luck Charlie JaneEpisode: "Kit and Kaboodle"
2011 Curb Your Enthusiasm MargaretEpisode: "The Safe House"
2011 Zeke and Luther Mrs. SmorlovEpisode: "Lie Hard"
2012–2013 Suburgatory Helen7 episodes
2014Summer with CimorelliMrs. CimorelliEpisode: "Pretty Little Cimorelliars"
2014 Bones Fancie Von MertensEpisode: "The Mutilation of the Master Manipulator"
2015 Scandal Mrs. AmbrusoEpisode: "Put a Ring on It"
2015 Murder in the First Dr. HopkinsEpisode: "Nothing but the Truth"
2015, 2016 Liv and Maddie Mrs. Snodgrass2 episodes
2016 iZombie Drake's Mother
2016 The Middle Female ClerkEpisode: "A Tough Pill to Swallow"
2017 The Carmichael Show MonicaEpisode: "Shoot-Up-Able"
2017 School of Rock Nana GertEpisode: "The Other Side of Summer"
2017 NCIS: Los Angeles MarilynEpisode: "All is Bright"
2019 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Band LeaderEpisode: "Keeping Cool/Parade Day"
2019 Fancy Nancy Fay ClancyEpisode: "The Amazing Adventures of Grammy and Poppy/Un, Deux, Cha Cha Cha!"
2020 Mom ArleneEpisode: "Somebody's Grandmother and the A-List"
2021 The Unicorn Mrs. BurbageEpisode: "In Memory Of..."
2023 Shrinking PamEpisode: “Fifteen Minutes”
2023The Lincoln LawyerDonnaEpisode 7, Season 2 "Cui Boni"

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References

  1. "MIRIAM FLYNN 1951-06-18 Pacific Palisades CA". Birthdatabase.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-03. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earl (2003). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (8th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN   0-345-45542-8.