Kathy Kinney is an American actress and comedian. After appearing as Prudence Godard on the CBS sitcom Newhart (1989–1990), she achieved fame with her portrayal of Mimi Bobeck on ABC's The Drew Carey Show (1995–2004). Her film credits include Parting Glances (1987), Scrooged (1988), Three Fugitives (1989), Stanley & Iris, Arachnophobia (both 1990), This Boy's Life (1993), and Picking Up the Pieces (2000).
Early life, family and education
Kinney was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Her father died when she was 15 years old. In 1976, she moved to New York City, where she found work as a secretary at WCBS-TV. 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
Kinney and Carey have performed many times since working together on his sitcom. Kinney appeared in the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, hosted by Carey and also on ABC. They appeared in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (another series on ABC), contemporaneous with The Drew Carey Shows second season). In 2006, she visited Iraq with Carey and his Improv All-Star Team, a series of USO performances for American troops; as a result, she appears in the documentary film Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie. On March 24, 2009, Kinney appeared in character as Mimi in the beginning of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. (Ferguson was a co-star on The Drew Carey Show, playing Mimi and Carey's boss, Mr. Wick.) After nearly two years in development, the site launched in beta on November 10, 2008.
She guest starred on the animated TV series 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. She also guest-starred on The Secret Life of the American Teenager.