Kathy Najimy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kathy Najimy
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Najimy in 2023
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| Born |
Kathy Ann Najimy
February 6, 1957 San Diego, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Dan Finnerty
(m. 1998) |
| Children | Samia |
Kathy Ann Najimy (born February 6, 1957) is an American actress and activist. You might know her from her funny and memorable roles in movies and TV shows. She is famous for playing the witch Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus and its sequel, and the cheerful Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act.
Besides acting, Kathy is also an activist. This means she uses her fame to speak up for important causes like equal rights for all people. She is also known for her voice acting, especially as Peggy Hill in the animated show King of the Hill.
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Early Life
Kathy Najimy was born in San Diego, California. Her parents, Samia and Fred Najimy, were Lebanese-American. This means her family came from a country called Lebanon. Her mother moved to the United States in 1946.
Kathy grew up in the Maronite Catholic faith and went to Crawford High School. Sadly, her father passed away when she was 14 years old. She later graduated from San Diego State University in 1995.
Acting Career
Kathy's career is full of amazing roles in movies, on TV, and on the stage. She is known for her comedy skills and her ability to play unique characters.
Movies: From a Nun to a Witch
Kathy's movie career took off in the early 1990s. One of her first big roles was in the 1992 movie Sister Act, where she played the funny and bubbly Sister Mary Patrick. She played the same role again in the sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, in 1993.
In 1993, she also starred in the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus as Mary Sanderson, one of the three witch sisters. She returned to play Mary again in the 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2.
Over the years, she has appeared in many other popular films, including:
- Hope Floats (1998)
- The Wedding Planner (2001)
- Rat Race (2001)
- A Madea Christmas (2013)
- Dumplin' (2018)
- Single All the Way (2021)
Television: From Sitcoms to Disney Movies
Kathy has also had a successful career in television. From 1997 to 2000, she was a main character on the TV show Veronica's Closet, playing Olive Massery.
She has made guest appearances on many shows, such as That's So Raven, Ugly Betty, and Desperate Housewives. In 2015, she played the Evil Queen in the popular Disney movie Descendants.
Voice Acting: The Voice of Peggy Hill and More
Many people know Kathy Najimy from her voice work. For over a decade, she was the voice of Peggy Hill on the animated TV series King of the Hill (1997–2010). She won an Annie Award for this role in 2001.
She has also lent her voice to many animated movies and shows, including:
- WALL-E (2008) as the human character, Mary
- Brother Bear 2 (2006)
- Tinker Bell (2008)
- Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure
- American Dad!
- BoJack Horseman
Work as an Activist
Kathy Najimy is passionate about making the world a better place. As an activist, she speaks out on important topics to help others.
Supporting People and Causes
She supports equal rights for women, girls, and the LGBTQ community. She also works to raise awareness for issues like health and safety. She has worked with organizations like PETA to promote animal welfare. In 2004, Ms. Magazine named her Woman of the Year for her work.
Kathy is also a strong supporter of women's health. She has spoken out about the importance of having a positive body image, encouraging people to feel good about themselves no matter their size.
Using Fame for Good
Kathy has appeared on many TV game shows to raise money for charity. She won $100,000 for a charity called V-Day, which works to stop violence against women and girls, by winning Celebrity Poker Showdown. She also won another $100,000 on Gameshow Marathon for a group that helps young girls.
Interestingly, before she was famous, Kathy was a contestant on Family Feud in 1981 and won!
Personal Life
In 1998, Kathy married actor and singer Dan Finnerty. The famous activist and writer Gloria Steinem performed their wedding ceremony. Together, they have a daughter named Samia, who is a musician.
See also
In Spanish: Kathy Najimy para niños
- List of Maronites
