Mimi Kennedy

Mary Claire "Mimi" Kennedy (born September 25, 1948) is an American actress, author and activist. Best known for her roles in television sitcoms, Kennedy co-starred in numerous short-lived sitcoms before her role as Ruth Sloan on Homefront (1991–93). She received wider recognition with her roles in the Chuck Lorre-created sitcoms Dharma & Greg (1997–2002) and Mom (2013–2021). For her performance in the latter, Kennedy received a nomination for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. Kennedy has also appeared in various films, including Pump Up the Volume, Erin Brockovich (2000), In the Loop (2009), Due Date (2010), Midnight in Paris (2011) and The Five-Year Engagement (2012).

Early life Kennedy was born in Rochester, New York, the daughter of Nancy Helen (née Colgan) and Daniel Gerald Kennedy. She got her start in theater with the Rochester Community Players, appearing in Agatha Christie's Spider Web in October 1960 when she was 12 years old. She graduated in 1966 from Our Lady of Mercy High School. In the 1970s, she was in the musical Rhinegold, featuring songs by her friend Jim Steinman. She attended Smith College.

She appeared in the Broadway musical Grease and in 1977 landed a part in the short-lived variety series 3 Girls 3, with Debbie Allen and Ellen Foley. She later played the role of Stockard Channing's sister in the short-lived Stockard Channing in Just Friends (1979), and she was a regular on The Big Show (1980). During the 1980s, she starred in a number of short-lived sitcoms, including The Two of Us (1981–82), Spencer (1984–85) and Family Man (1988). She also co-starred in the sitcom Joe's Life (1993). She became a series regular on the second season.

Early in 2022, Kennedy posted a video in which she and spouse Larry Dilg recall their friendships with Jim Steinman and, by extension, with Meatloaf. In the video, Kennedy shares details of her months touring with The National Lampoon Show.

Personal life Kennedy is involved in several progressive activist causes, including Progressive Democrats of America for which she serves as chairperson of the board. She is a regular contributor to the LA Progressive. Her mid-life memoir Taken to the Stage: The Education of an Actress was published in 1996. In 2023, an author-read audiobook edition appeared.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1981 Thin Ice Arlene Television film 1986 Mr. Boogedy Eloise Davis Television film 1987 Bride of Boogedy Eloise Davis Television film 1987 Baby Girl Scott Jane 1989 Chances Are Sally 1989 Immediate Family Eli's Mom 1990 Pump Up the Volume Marla Hunter 1990 A Promise to Keep Annie Television film 1991 Sins of the Mother Karen Turner Television film 1992 Death Becomes Her Second Woman 1994 Flashfire Kate Cantrell 1997 Taken Judy Gold Short film 1997 Buddy Mrs. Bunny Bowman 1998 Reasons of the Heart Celia Barton 2000 Erin Brockovich Laura Ambrosino 2007 Man in the Chair Judy Kincaid Method Fest Independent Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast 2008 A Single Woman Storyteller 2009 In the Loop Karen Clark 2009 The Three Gifts Rita Green Television film 2010 Due Date Sarah's Mom 2011 Life of Lemon Louise Phillips 2011 Midnight in Paris Helen Nominated — Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble Acting 2012 The Five-Year Engagement Carol Solomon 2013 Expecting Dr. Grayson 2013 In Sickness and in Health Carol 2014 Squatters Judge Janovich 2020 Eat Wheaties! Edna Straw TBA Going Places Sue Filming

Television

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result 1993 American Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series Homefront 1993 Viewers for Quality Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Homefront 2007 Method Fest Best Ensemble Cast Man in the Chair 2011 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards Best Ensemble Cast Midnight in Paris 2014 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series Mom