Suzy Nakamura

Suzy Nakamura (born December 2, 1968) is an American actress and improv comedian. She is known for her many guest appearances on sitcoms such as According to Jim, Half and Half, 8 Simple Rules, Curb Your Enthusiasm and How I Met Your Mother and her recurring role in the early seasons of the drama The West Wing as assistant to the Sam Seaborn character, as well as Dr. Miura in the ABC sitcom Modern Family and Karen in the Netflix series Dead to Me. She had leading roles in the television shows Dr. Ken and Avenue 5.

Early life Nakamura was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to parents of Japanese descent. Her parents died within a year of each other when she was in her twenties. She has one older brother. Nakamura attended Lane Technical College Prep High School. After graduation in 1985, she joined the Asian-American theater company, MinaSama-No. She remained a part of the troupe for five years.

Nakamura worked at Crate & Barrel prior to working as an actor.

Career Nakamura has acted in various films, television shows, commercials, web-series, and stage plays throughout her career, in addition to performing improv comedy. She cofounded The Second City Detroit in 1993.

Her first film role was as a troubled teen in Rea Tajiri's Chicago-based film, Strawberry Fields (1997). It was an official selection at the 54th Venice International Film Festival.

On May 7, 2015, ABC picked up Ken Jeong's Dr. Ken starring Jeong as a fictional version of himself and Nakamura as his wife for its 2015–16 Fall Season. She played a recurring role as investigative reporter Irene Abe on FX's crime drama television series Snowfall. In August 2018, it was announced that Nakamura had joined HBO's television comedy Avenue 5 as Iris Kimura, the assistant to billionaire Herman Judd (played by Josh Gad). The series premiered on January 19, 2020.

Honors and awards She was an honoree at the East West Players' 52nd Visionary Award in 2018.

Personal life Nakamura was married to Harry Hannigan. They separated in 2018 and have since divorced.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Common Law Suzy Yamamoto 2 episodes 1997 The Player Robbie Lawless Unsold pilot 1998 The Closer Beverly Andolini 10 episodes 1999–2000 The West Wing Cathy 9 episodes 2000 Daddio Holly Martin 14 episodes 2002 Imagine That Rina Oh 6 episodes 2002 I Got You Unsold pilot 2002 Curb Your Enthusiasm Assistant manager 5 episodes 2002–2006 Half & Half Tina 10 episodes 2003 Abby Carol Episode: "Ted & Carol & Will & Abby" 2003 All of Us Teacher #1 2004 Good Morning, Miami Carol 2004 The King of Queens Molly Episode: "Name Dropper" 2004–2005 8 Simple Rules Mrs. Krupp 2005 Confessions of a Dog Unsold pilot 2005 According to Jim Yoki Hirasaki Episode: "The Competition" 2006 Worst Week of My Life Megan Unsold pilot 2006–2007 The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman Carol Rinaldi 4 episodes 2006–2007 Help Me Help You Inger 12 episodes 2007 Insatiable Unsold pilot 2008 Grey's Anatomy Jenn Smith Episode: "Here Comes the Flood" 2008 My Name is Earl Phyllis Woohoo Episode: "Joy in a Bubble" 2008 True Jackson, VP Cricket Episode: "Pilot" 2008 The Mentalist Dr. Fox Episode: "His Right Red Hand" 2009 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Tabitha Episode: "The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention" 2009–2010 10 Things I Hate About You Principal Holland 6 episodes 2009–2010 Modern Family Dr. Miura Episodes: "Run for Your Wife", "Fears" 2009 Private Practice Margaret Delhom Episode: "Sins of the Father" 2010–2011 Men of a Certain Age Elissa 3 episodes 2010 Bones Carrie Turner Episode: "The Death of the Queen Bee" 2010 Castle Jennifer Wong Episode: "Food to Die For" 2011 How I Met Your Mother Dr. Kirby Episode: "A Change of Heart" 2012–2013 Go On Yolanda 22 episodes 2013 Melissa & Joey Elyse Episode: "Something Happened" 2014 Liv and Maddie Tammy Episode: "Switch-a-Rooney" 2014 Bad Teacher Mrs. Hu Episode: "A Little Respect" 2014–2018 The Goldbergs Mrs. Kim 4 episodes 2015 Togetherness Xan Episode: "Kick the Can" 2015 Bob's Burgers Yuki Episode: "Hawk & Chick" 2015–2019 Veep Anna Episodes: "Mommy Meyer""Discovery Weekend" & "Veep" 2015 Whole Day Down Saint Anne 6 episodes 2015–2017 Dr. Ken Allison Park Main role (44 episodes) 2017 How to Beat Your Sister-in-Law (at everything) Suzy Episode: "Puppy Love""Flyered Up the Ass" 2017 9JKL Casting Director Episode: "TV MD" 2018 Black-ish Dr. Ima Episode: "Dream Home""Fifty-Three Percent" 2018 Station 19 Susan Episode: "Every Second Counts" 2018 Elementary Dr. Bridget Tanaka Episode: "Through the Fog" 2018 All About the Washingtons Mrs. Chadwick Episode: "Papa Said Log You Out" 2019–2022 Dead to Me Karen Recurring role 2019 Harley Quinn Realtor (voice) Episode: "Being Harley Quinn" 2019–2023 Tacoma FD Linda Price Recurring role 2020–2022 Avenue 5 Iris Kimura Main cast 2020–2022 Close Enough Ms. Hashima 3 episodes 2020 The Neighborhood Dr. Chen Episode: "Welcome to Couples Therapy"2021SnowfallIrene AbeRecurring role (season 4)2021 Ten Year Old Tom Amanda (voice) Episode: "Tom Urinates on Boston/First Responder" 2021–2022 Inside Job Tamiko Ridley (voice) Recurring role 2024 Exploding Kittens Abbie (voice) Main cast

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2022 Ghostwire: Tokyo Woman B, Woman D

Theater An Infinite Ache The Showatorium Coptors Shogun's Heroes Coed Prison Sluts – The Musical The Armando Diaz Experience The Deconstruction Derby The Zodiac Thrillers The Dickie Bell Twist Dance Party Pen to Paper The Second City Alumni Jam The Powerhouse Variety Show The Redwood Curtain Power to the People Mover National Touring Company (The Second City – Chicago) POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive (Shubert Theatre – Broadway) as Jean