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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| 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. She is well-known for her roles in popular movies and TV shows. You might recognize her as Sister Mary Patrick from Sister Act and Sister Act 2. She also played Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus and its recent sequel, Hocus Pocus 2.
On television, Kathy Najimy is famous for voicing Peggy Hill in the animated series King of the Hill. She also played Olive Massery in the sitcom Veronica's Closet. Besides acting, she is a strong supporter of equal rights and other important causes.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Kathy Ann Najimy was born on February 6, 1957, in San Diego, California. Her parents, Samia and Fred Najimy, were from Lebanon. Her mother moved to the United States in 1946. Kathy grew up in a Maronite Catholic family and went to Crawford High School. Her father passed away when she was 14 years old. She later graduated from San Diego State University in 1995.
Acting Career
Kathy Najimy's career started in the early 1980s. She first became known for a comedy show she wrote and performed with Mo Gaffney. It was called The Kathy and Mo Show. This show was very popular and even had two specials on HBO.
Film Roles
Kathy Najimy began her film career in the early 1990s. She appeared in several movies before getting her big break.
- Sister Act: Her first major role was in the 1992 comedy Sister Act. She played Sister Mary Patrick, a kind and cheerful nun. She returned for the sequel, Sister Act 2, in 1993.
- Hocus Pocus: In 1993, she starred as Mary Sanderson in the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. She played one of three witch sisters alongside Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker. She returned to this role in the 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2.
- Other Movies: She has been in many other films, including Soapdish (1991), Rat Race (2001), and The Wedding Planner (2001). She also voiced the character Mary in the Disney and Pixar animated movie WALL-E (2008). In 2018, she appeared in the Netflix film Dumplin'. She also starred in the Christmas romantic comedy Single All the Way in 2021.
Television Appearances
Kathy Najimy has had a long and successful career in television.
- Veronica's Closet: From 1997 to 2000, she was a main cast member on the sitcom Veronica's Closet. She played the character Olive Massery.
- King of the Hill: One of her most famous roles is providing the voice for Peggy Hill on the animated series King of the Hill. She voiced this character for over 10 years, from 1997 to 2010.
- Voice Acting: She has lent her voice to many other animated shows and movies. These include Brother Bear 2, Cats Don't Dance, BoJack Horseman, and American Dad!. She also voiced characters in Disney Junior's The Rocketeer and Amy Poehler's Duncanville.
- Guest Roles: Kathy Najimy has appeared as a guest star on many popular TV shows. Some of these include That's So Raven, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and Elementary. She also had a recurring role on Veep for four seasons. In 2015, she played the Evil Queen in Disney's TV movie Descendants.
Theater Work
Besides film and television, Kathy Najimy has also performed on stage. She starred as Mae West in the Broadway play Dirty Blonde. She has also directed and created musical shows.
Activism and Other Work
Kathy Najimy is well-known for her work as an activist. She often travels to speak about important issues.
- Equal Rights: She is a strong supporter of equal rights for women and girls. She also advocates for LGBTQ rights, which means supporting fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
- Health and Body Image: She speaks out about AIDS awareness and domestic violence. Kathy Najimy is also very vocal about body image among women. She believes it's important for everyone to feel good about themselves.
- Animal Welfare: She works with PETA to help animals. PETA has even given her awards for her efforts.
- Creative Activism: Kathy Najimy has created and produced plays and documentaries that highlight social issues. For example, she created a play called Gloria: A Life about the famous activist Gloria Steinem. She is also working on a documentary about women's voting patterns.
- Charity Game Shows: She uses her fame to raise money for charities. She has appeared on game shows like The Weakest Link and Celebrity Poker Showdown. She won money for organizations that support women's rights and help stop violence against women.
Personal Life
In August 1998, Kathy Najimy married actor and singer Dan Finnerty. They have one daughter, Samia, who is a musician. The famous activist Gloria Steinem officiated their wedding ceremony.
Images for kids
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Kathy Najimy in 2023
