Kathy Najimy (actor, director, writer, activist, producer) is known for her memorable performances in over 25 films including Sister Act and Hocus Pocus... as well as several TV projects. She is very proud to have been named Ms. Magazine WOMAN OF THE YEAR! Najimy is currently starring as a series regular: Captain of the NYPD Major Crimes on A&E’s cop show: “Unforgettable.” Najimy recurs frequently on HBO’s “VEEP” –and TVLand’s “Younger.” Films released this year include: Disney’s hit “The Descendants,” “A Christmas Melody” directed by Mariah Carey and Kenny Ortega’s “A Change of Heart.” For TV Kathy voiced “Peggy Hill” (14 seasons) on the Emmy Award-winning “King of the Hill”, for which she received several awards. Najimy starred as Olive on NBC’s “Veronica’s Closet” for 3 seasons with Kirstie Alley. She was also a series regular on “Numb3rs” and “The Big C.”
Kathy is internationally known for her award-winning portrayal of Sister Mary Patrick in the blockbuster hits “Sister Acts 1 &2.” Her work includes starring roles in “Hocus Pocus,” “Rat Race,” Pixar’s Oscar and Golden Globe winning “WALL-E,” “Madea Christmas” and “Say Uncle” (Philadelphia Film Festival Best Actress). Najimy was featured in “Hope Floats,” “Zack and Reba,” “Soapdish,” “The Hard Way,” “The Wedding Planner,” “Jeffrey,” “The Big K,” “Blowtorch,” “Clutter,” and “The Guilt Trip” with Barbra Striesand. Animated films: “Tinkerbell,” “Brother Bear 2,” “Cats Don’t Dance,” and “The Jungle Book.”
In the theater, Kathy starred as legendary “Mae West” on Broadway in the hit Broadway play “Dirty Blonde,” and later at The Old Globe Theatre (Outer Critics Circle Best Actress). With Mo Gaffney, Najimy wrote and starred in “The Kathy and Mo Show,” her long-running feminist comedy off Broadway play, (Obie Award) which became two award-winning Hit HBO specials.
Najimy is currently performing her solo show for the New York stage, “Lift Up Your Skirt” And is a recurring guest on the TV shows: “Difficult People” & Comedy Central’s “Inside Amy Schumer.” Kathy Najimy co-created and directed the acclaimed off-Broadway hit Back to Bacharach and David, directed and co-wrote “These Girls” with Olivia Wilde, Chelsea Handler, Zosia Mamet, Amy Schumer, Amy Poehler and Gabby Sidibe, as well as several other stage projects. Kathy is also thrilled to be currently co-executive producing a series for HBO and has created a Broadway show idea for Gloria Steinem that will be produced by Lincoln Center Theater in 2016. TV projects include a season regular on Numb3rs and The Big C, “Five” directed by Jennifer Aniston; “Desperate Housewives” “Drop Dead Diva” “ELLEN” Ugly Betty”; “Make It or Break It”; and 3 seasons starring on “Veronica’s Closet” (American Comedy Award). Najimy sang and danced as “Elmo’s” stepmother on Fox’s special “Cinderelmo,” as well as opening the 1995 Academy Awards with Tim Curry. In 1993, she starred in the Emmy Award- winning TNT musical “In Search of Dr. Seuss.”
Ms. Najimy-- a proud feminist and social justice advocate has been recognized with numerous honors for her enthusiastic work supporting women’s, girls and LGBT rights, AIDS, animal rights, and reproductive rights. She frequently travels the country as a keynote speaker on these issues. She is currently helping helm the movement to abolish the New York City carriage horses. Kathy lives in NYC with her husband Dan Finnerty (The DanBand) and their 18- year-old daughter, singer/songwriter/actor, Samia.
