Kathy Najimy

Najimy was born on February 6, 1957, in San Diego, California,{{Cite web |last=Huth |first=Kelly |date=2022-10-31 |title='Hocus Pocus 2' star Kathy Najimy visits Lafayette |url=https://news.lafayette.edu/2022/10/31/hocus-pocus-2-star-kathy-najimy-visits-lafayette/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jeunesse |first=Marilyn La |date=2022-10-10 |title=Kathy Najimy: Mother, Activist, and Actor. In That Order. |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/kathy-najimy-interview |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Allaire |first=Christian |date=2022-10-06 |title=Kathy Najimy Knows She's a Gay icon |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/kathy-najimy-hocus-pocus-2-interview |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} the daughter of Lebanese-American parents Samia (née Massery; {{langx|ar|سامية ماسري}}; 1928–2015){{cite web | url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/samia-najimy-obituary?id=16989997 | title=Samia Najimy Obituary (1928 - 2015) San Diego Union-Tribune | website=Legacy.com | access-date=March 25, 2022 | archive-date=March 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325070501/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/samia-najimy-obituary?id=16989997 | url-status=live }} and Fred Najimy ({{langx|ar|فريد نجمي}}), a postal worker. Her mother immigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1946.[http://www.lebwa.org/life/life.php LEBWA - Lebanese Women's Awakening] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901021637/http://www.lebwa.org/life/life.php |date=September 1, 2007 }} She was raised Maronite Catholic{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/angela-bonavoglia/fearless-on-abortion_b_31057.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Angela | last=Bonavoglia | title=Fearless on Abortion | date=November 17, 2011 | access-date=October 28, 2007 | archive-date=May 11, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511194433/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/angela-bonavoglia/fearless-on-abortion_b_31057.html | url-status=live }} and attended Crawford High School. Her father died when she was 14.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/broadway-veteran-musician-david-geist-benefit-concert-crawford-high-school/2004935/?amp=1 | title=Broadway Veteran David Geist to Return to San Diego | date=May 25, 2016 | access-date=August 21, 2022 | archive-date=August 21, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821080337/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/broadway-veteran-musician-david-geist-benefit-concert-crawford-high-school/2004935/?amp=1 | url-status=live }} She is a 1995 graduate of San Diego State University.{{cite web|title=Distinguished Alumni presented by the SDSU Alumni Association|url=http://www.sdsualumni.org/s/997/rd16/interior.aspx?pgid=2916&gid=1|website=sdsualumni.org|access-date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817133251/https://www.sdsualumni.org/s/997/22/page.aspx?pgid=2916&gid=1|url-status=live}}

Najimy and Mo Gaffney's feminist comedy play The Kathy and Mo Show premiered in 1981 and had three long term New York City runs{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/13/theater/the-stage-kathy-mo-a-comedy.html|title=The Stage: 'Kathy & Mo,' A Comedy|last1=Rich|first1=Frank|date=June 13, 1981|website=New York Times|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103060208/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/13/theater/the-stage-kathy-mo-a-comedy.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Gussow |first1=Mel |title=Two Women as Nearly Anyone Else |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/01/theater/review-theater-two-women-as-nearly-anyone-else.html |website=New York Times |date=February 1989 |access-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103063238/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/01/theater/review-theater-two-women-as-nearly-anyone-else.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Ernio |title=Comedy duo Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney return to New York in Afterbirth: Kathy and Mo's Greatest Hits, starting June 11 under the direction of Mark Brokaw at Second Stage Theatre. |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/one-mo-time-najimy-and-gaffney-return-to-off-broadway-in-afterbirth-kathy-and-mos-greatest-hits-june-11-com-120275 |website=Playbill |date=June 11, 2004 |access-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110124/http://www.playbill.com/article/one-mo-time-najimy-and-gaffney-return-to-off-broadway-in-afterbirth-kathy-and-mos-greatest-hits-june-11-com-120275 |url-status=live }} and generated two HBO specials, Parallel Lives and The Dark Side.

Najimy's film career began in the early 1990s, with a number of offbeat minor roles in The Fisher King, Soapdish, This Is My Life, The Hard Way. Her first major role was as Sister Mary Patrick in the 1992 comedy Sister Act, a role she reprised in 1993 in Sister Act 2. She also starred in Hocus Pocus as Mary Sanderson, alongside Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker, and the 1994 made-for-TV movie In Search of Dr. Seuss as Kathy Lane. In 1999, she played the Stepmother in CinderElmo, a primetime special for Sesame Street. In 2001, she co-starred in the hit comedy film Rat Race alongside John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Lovitz and Seth Green. She has made four movies with Goldberg (Soapdish, Sister Act 1 and 2, and Rat Race). Najimy starred in Disney and Pixar's Academy Award winning film WALL-E and Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas.

From film, Najimy expanded into television roles, including a dramatic recurring role on Chicago Hope. She was part of the cast of Veronica's Closet from 1997 to 2000. She played Wendy Keegan in HBO's Veep for four seasons. She appeared with Ellen DeGeneres in three episodes of her sitcom Ellen, playing a different character each time (including a non-speaking cameo in the iconic "Puppy Episode"), and in the TV movie If These Walls Could Talk 2. Najimy was a series regular season 4 of Unforgettable, season 4 of The Big C, and season 3 of Numbers. She guest-starred on That's So Raven, Drop Dead Diva, Desperate Housewives,{{cite news | last=Bryant | first=Adam | title=Kathy Najimy to Guest on Desperate Housewives | url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kathy-Najimy-Housewives-1010365.aspx | work=TVGuide.com | date=June 30, 2009 | access-date=July 1, 2009 | archive-date=October 1, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001221147/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Kathy-Najimy-Housewives-1010365.aspx | url-status=live }} Ugly Betty, and Franklin & Bash. She starred in TNT's In Search of Dr. Seuss.

Najimy starred as Mae West in the Broadway hit Dirty Blonde. She appeared in V'Day's Vagina Monologues on Broadway{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/v-day-2001_1233.html|title=V-Day 2001 | TheaterMania|website=www.theatermania.com|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=January 3, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330055135/https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/v-day-2001_1233.html|url-status=live}} and in Nassim Soleimanpour's plays White Rabbit Red Rabbit and Nassim. She is the co-creator and director of the musical revue Back to Bacharach and David, which ran in New York City in 1992 and 1993, and which she directed again in Los Angeles in April 2009.

Najimy starred as Peggy Hill in Fox's King of the Hill from 1997 to 2010. Her voice is featured in the animated films Brother Bear 2, The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story, Cats Don't Dance, and Tinkerbell. She has also lent her voice to hundreds of animated television shows and movies, including BoJack Horseman, Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, American Dad!, Hercules, Pepper Ann, and played a role in the Nightmare Ned video game. In 2003, Najimy provided the voice of Margalo in Stuart Little: The Animated Series, taking over from Melanie Griffith, and in 2000 took over from Madeline Kahn as Mrs. Shapiro in Little Bill. She stars in Disney Junior's reboot of The Rocketeer and Amy Poehler's Duncanville.

In late July 2015, Najimy appeared in Disney's Descendants as the Evil Queen.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/descendants-2-premiere-five-disneyabc-television-group-networks-1202076765/|title='Descendants 2' Set For Simultaneous July Premiere On Five Disney|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=April 25, 2017|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=August 5, 2019|archive-date=August 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805045734/https://deadline.com/2017/04/descendants-2-premiere-five-disneyabc-television-group-networks-1202076765/|url-status=live}} Later that year, she took part in the successful Christmas TV movie A Christmas Melody starring Mariah Carey, Brennan Elliott, Lacey Chabert and Fina Strazza. It debuted on the Hallmark Channel on December 19, 2015. The film was viewed by 3.95 million people upon its debut.{{cite web|last1=Parker|first1=E|title=Mariah Carey Directs 'A Christmas Melody' Movie In Time For The Holidays|url=http://radio.com/2015/10/07/mariah-carey-directs-a-christmas-melody-movie-in-time-for-the-holidays/|publisher=CBS Radio|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119015347/http://radio.com/2015/10/07/mariah-carey-directs-a-christmas-melody-movie-in-time-for-the-holidays/|archive-date=2015-11-19|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Tietjen|first1=Alexa|title=Mariah Carey's Upcoming Hallmark Film A Christmas Melody Was Definitely Inevitable|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/zc242r/mariah-carey-a-christmas-melody|publisher=VH1|access-date=November 18, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118234541/http://www.vh1.com/news/224290/mariah-carey-a-christmas-melody/|url-status=live}}

She appeared in Netflix's 2018 film Dumplin' alongside Jennifer Aniston.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jennifer-aniston-dramedy-dumplin-lands-at-netflix-1142449|title=Netflix Lands Jennifer Aniston Dramedy 'Dumplin{{'}}'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Borys|last=Kit|date=September 12, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214011710/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jennifer-aniston-dramedy-dumplin-lands-at-netflix-1142449|url-status=live}} Dumplin' was released on December 7, 2018, on the platform.{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/09/14/dolly-partons-sias-here-i-am-from-dumplin-released/|title=Dolly Parton & Sia's 'Here I Am' from 'Dumplin{{'}}' Released|website=Film Music Reporter|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=October 16, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016164943/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/09/14/dolly-partons-sias-here-i-am-from-dumplin-released/|url-status=live}}

In 2021, she appeared in musical drama film Music, directed by singer-songwriter Sia. In the United States, it was released in select IMAX theatres for one night on February 10, 2021,{{Cite web|date=January 29, 2021|title=Experience Sia's Music in Select IMAX® Theatres|url=https://www.imax.com/news/experience-sias-music-in-select-imax-theatres|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202170020/https://www.imax.com/news/experience-sias-music-in-select-imax-theatres|archive-date=February 2, 2021|access-date=March 5, 2021|website=IMAX}} and was followed by a premium video on demand release across the country on February 12.{{Cite web|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=2021-01-15|title=Sia's Directorial Debut 'Music' Sets Release Date, Debuts New Trailer|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sia-music-film-kate-hudson-maddie-ziegler-1234885896/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Variety|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205184326/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sia-music-film-kate-hudson-maddie-ziegler-1234885896/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Debruge|first=Peter|date=February 13, 2021|title=New Movies to Watch This Week: 'Barb and Star,' 'Judas and the Black Messiah,' 'Minari' and 'The Mauritanian'|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/lists/new-movies-minari-mauritanian-judas-to-all-the-boys-how-to-watch-1234907331/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213065449/https://variety.com/2021/film/lists/new-movies-minari-mauritanian-judas-to-all-the-boys-how-to-watch-1234907331/|archive-date=February 13, 2021|access-date=March 5, 2021|website=Variety}} The same year, she starred in the Netflix Christmas romantic comedy Single All the Way alongside Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers and Jennifer Coolidge.{{Cite news|last=Bugbee|first=Teo|date=2021-12-02|title='Single All the Way' Review: Cookie Cutter Christmas|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/movies/single-all-the-way-review.html|access-date=2021-12-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202133855/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/movies/single-all-the-way-review.html|url-status=live}}

In 2022, Najimy reprised her role as Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 2 for Disney+.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/hocus-pocus-2-bette-midler-sarah-jessica-parker-kathy-najimy-returning-1234761174/|title=Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy Returning For Disney's 'Hocus Pocus 2'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 20, 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=June 10, 2023|archive-date=June 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610161413/https://deadline.com/2021/05/hocus-pocus-2-bette-midler-sarah-jessica-parker-kathy-najimy-returning-1234761174/|url-status=live}}

Najimy is an activist and frequently travels the country to speak on issues of equal rights, safety, and self esteem for women and girls, LGBTQ rights, AIDS awareness, domestic violence, body image, and civil rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/kathy-najimy/|title=Book Kathy Najimy|website=APB|access-date=January 4, 2019|archive-date=January 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105043357/https://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/kathy-najimy/|url-status=live}} She has spoken at the Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, and PFLAG. She was a surrogate speaker for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.{{cite web |title=Actress and activist Kathy Najimy campaigns for Hillary Clinton in Davenport |url=https://wqad.com/2016/08/07/actress-and-activist-kathy-najimy-campaigning-for-hillary-clinton-at-the-j-bar-in-davenport/ |website=WQAD |date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110014312/https://wqad.com/2016/08/07/actress-and-activist-kathy-najimy-campaigning-for-hillary-clinton-at-the-j-bar-in-davenport/ |url-status=live }} In 2004, Najimy was Ms. Magazine{{'}}s Woman of the Year{{cite web |title=Ms. Magazine Woman Of The Year |url=http://www.msmagazine.com/winter2004/womenoftheyear.asp#najimy |website=Ms. Magazine |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061222052555/http://www.msmagazine.com/winter2004/womenoftheyear.asp#najimy |archive-date=December 22, 2006 |url-status=dead }} and a speaker at the March for Women's Lives.{{cite web |title=Flashback: Over One Million March for Women's Lives |url=https://now.org/blog/over-one-million-march-for-womens-lives/ |website=National Organization for Women |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115043329/https://now.org/blog/over-one-million-march-for-womens-lives/ |url-status=live }} She is an active member of Time's Up.{{cite web |title=Marisa Tomei, Amber Tamblyn Attend Harvey Weinstein Court Hearing |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/marisa-tomei-amber-tamblyn-attend-harvey-weinstein-hearing-1171041 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110014319/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/marisa-tomei-amber-tamblyn-attend-harvey-weinstein-hearing-1171041 |url-status=live }}

Najimy has also worked with PETA on a number of animal welfare issues and posed with Todd Oldham for the "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign."in May 2014, she posed in an ad in the San Diego airport bashing the locally favorite Sea World. The ad featured an outdated photograph depicting the actor as much younger than her current age. [http://www.fox.com.au/entertainment/galleries/naked-for-a-cause?selectedImage=20 Naked for a Cause]," 101.9 Fox, accessed September 20, 2012. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022211830/http://www.fox.com.au/entertainment/galleries/naked-for-a-cause?selectedImage=20 |date=October 22, 2009 }} PETA gave her their Humanitarian of the Year award in 2000{{cite web |title=2018 Keynote Speaker |url=https://www.ywcasandiego.org/give/special-events/kathy-najimy/ |website=YWCA San Diego |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110014311/https://www.ywcasandiego.org/give/special-events/kathy-najimy/ |url-status=live }} and their Compassionate Action Award in 2014.Madeleine Marr, "[http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article2666090.html Rock the Night Away at Jingle Ball] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019070108/http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article2666090.html |date=October 19, 2015 }}," The Miami Herald, October 10, 2014.

Najimy is a strong advocate for women's health and reproductive rights. She contributed to the groundbreaking book, The Choices We Made, which includes testimonials from women who believe in abortion rights.{{cite book |last1=Bonavoglia |first1=Angela |title=The Choices We Made|year=2001 |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=9781568581880 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781568581880 |url-access=registration }} Najimy is vocal about issues regarding body image among women. In August 2006 she voiced her opinions over a remark made by Heidi Klum on the television series Project Runway after Klum said one model's outfit made her look plus-sized, which Najimy called "dangerous" and "irresponsible".{{cite web |url=http://www.tmz.com/2006/08/24/najimy-says-auf-wiedersehen-to-project-runway/ |title=Najimy Says Auf Wiedersehen to "Project Runway" |website=TMZ |date=August 24, 2006 |access-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325135546/http://www.tmz.com/2006/08/24/najimy-says-auf-wiedersehen-to-project-runway/ |url-status=live }}

Najimy created and produced the off-Broadway play Gloria: A Life, about the life of activist Gloria Steinem.{{cite web |title=Gloria: A Life Celebrates Opening Night Off-Broadway |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/gloria-a-life-celebrates-opening-night-off-broadway |website=Playbill |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023138/http://www.playbill.com/article/gloria-a-life-celebrates-opening-night-off-broadway |url-status=live }} Starting in 2012, Najimy has been creating, directing, and co-writing personal monologues with actresses including Olivia Wilde, Amy Schumer, Zosia Mamet, Debra Messing, Rosie Perez, and Gabourey Sidibe. The pieces have been performed at Glamour Magazine's live evening of personal monologues titled "These Girls"{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2013/05/lessons-from-chung-poehler-at-these-girls.html|title=Life Lessons From Alexa Chung, Amy Poehler, and Zosia Mamet at Glamour's 'These Girls'|website=The Cut|date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=January 14, 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023643/https://www.thecut.com/2013/05/lessons-from-chung-poehler-at-these-girls.html|url-status=live}} and at the 2017 and 2018 MAKERS conference.{{cite web |title=Kathy Najimy Makers |url=https://www.makers.com/videos/5a7a9758c214e36a600d8847 |website=Makers |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023150/https://www.makers.com/videos/5a7a9758c214e36a600d8847 |url-status=dead }} Najimy is currently working on a documentary about the 53% of white women who voted for Donald Trump in 2016. She has performed her solo show, Lift Up Your Skirt, at many venues including the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, ICONS at Fire Island, and Feinstein's at The Nikko in San Francisco.{{cite web |title=Comic actress Kathy Najimy returns to S.F. with solo show |url=https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Comic-actress-Kathy-Najimy-returns-to-S-F-with-5999930.php |website=SF Gate |date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121418/https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Comic-actress-Kathy-Najimy-returns-to-S-F-with-5999930.php |url-status=live }} She is also currently producing a television series about the women's movement.{{cite web |title=Marisa Tomei To Play Gloria Steinem In HBO Mini Produced By George Clooney |url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/marisa-tomei-gloria-steinem-ms-hbo-miniseries-george-clooney-1201379952/ |website=Deadline |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115075749/https://deadline.com/2015/02/marisa-tomei-gloria-steinem-ms-hbo-miniseries-george-clooney-1201379952/ |url-status=live }}

Najimy uses her celebrity status to donate money to charities by appearing on game shows.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2019/05/kathy-najimy-on-fighting-for-equality-hocus-pocus-and-performing-with-the-american-pops-orchestra/|title=Kathy Najimy on fighting for equality, "Hocus Pocus," and performing with the American Pops Orchestra|date=May 16, 2019|website=Metro Weekly|language=en-US|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815140849/https://www.metroweekly.com/2019/05/kathy-najimy-on-fighting-for-equality-hocus-pocus-and-performing-with-the-american-pops-orchestra/|url-status=live}} She appeared as a contestant on a celebrity version of The Weakest Link where she won $50,000 for The Feminist Majority Foundation's Campaign to Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan.{{Cite web|url=http://www.alancumming.com/2001/2015/6/1/the-weakest-link|title=The Weakest Link|website=ALAN CUMMING|date=June 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815141000/http://www.alancumming.com/2001/2015/6/1/the-weakest-link|url-status=live}} She won the season 6 tournament of Celebrity Poker Showdown, donating the $100,000 to V-Day, an organization that helps stop violence against women and girls. She was also crowned Grand Champion on CBS's Gameshow Marathon in 2006, donating the $100,000 winnings to Girls Best Friend, a charity that helps empower girls.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/kathy-najimys-new-35473/|title=Kathy Najimy's New TV Role Is Anything but by the Numbers {{!}} TV Guide|date=November 17, 2006|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815141418/https://www.tvguide.com/news/kathy-najimys-new-35473/|url-status=live}} In 2013, Najimy was a contestant on Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off on Team Rachael where she was playing for PETA, cooking only vegetarian food. She was eliminated on the Feb 3 episode, reaching third place.{{cite news|last=Erdos|first=Joseph|title=Interview With the Latest Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Castoff — A Double Elimination|url=http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2013/02/kathy-najimy-rachael-vs-guy-exit-interview/|access-date=February 4, 2013|newspaper=Food Network|date=February 3, 2013|archive-date=February 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208020416/http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2013/02/kathy-najimy-rachael-vs-guy-exit-interview/|url-status=live}}

Before she became a known actress, in 1981, Najimy was a contestant on Family Feud, which was used as the finale in Gameshow Marathon. Najimy and her family were winners on both shows. Najimy also appeared on the $25,000 Pyramid as a civilian contestant, on the episode dated July 31, 1985. She claimed, on the Pyramid show, that she also had been on American Bandstand. She returned to the "Pyramid" (The $100,000 Pyramid) on the June 26, 2016, episode as a celebrity guest opposite Rosie O'Donnell.{{cite web |url=http://abc.go.com/shows/the-100000-pyramid/episode-guide/season-01/1-episode-1 |title=S1 E01 Sherri Shepherd vs Anthony Anderson and Rosie O'Donnell vs Kathy Najimy |website=ABC |date=June 26, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325201619/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-100000-pyramid/episode-guide/season-01/1-episode-1 |url-status=live }} She appeared once again in Season 2, Episode 7 on July 23, 2017, to play against Alexandra Wentworth, helping her contestant partner win the $150,000 grand prize.{{cite web |url=http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/shows/100000-pyramid/episodes/207-1/ |title=S2 E07 Ali Wentworth vs. Kathy Najimy and Cobie Smulders vs. Ryan Eggold |website=ABC |date=July 23, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803220907/http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/shows/100000-pyramid/episodes/207-1/ |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM5lz9ItbI4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/HM5lz9ItbI4| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=The $100,000 Pyramid: Kathy Najimy and Alex Gershman Win It All |website=YouTube.com |date=July 24, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2017}}{{cbignore}}

In August 1998, Najimy married actor and singer Dan Finnerty of The Dan Band.{{cite news |url=http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews39_05/mobile/page22.cfm |title=SWC guest Kathy Najimy funny, fierce, and warm |first=Miryam |last=Gordon |website=Seattle Gay News |date=February 4, 2011 |access-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325201830/http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews39_05/mobile/page22.cfm |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9789692/najimy_finnerty_married/ |title=Newsmakers |first=W. |last=Speers |url-access=limited |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=newspapers.com |date=August 13, 1988 |access-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325112910/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9789692/najimy_finnerty_married/ |url-status=live }} Gloria Steinem officiated the ceremony. Najimy and Finnerty have one daughter, musician Samia.{{cite web |url=http://kathynajimy.com/about/ |title=Kathy Najimy Official Website |publisher=Kathynajimy.com |access-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325114503/http://kathynajimy.com/about/ |url-status=live }}

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Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:American comedians of Middle Eastern descent

Category:American people of Lebanese descent

Category:Actresses from San Diego

Category:Actresses from New York City

Category:American feminists

Category:American film actresses

Category:American television actresses

Category:American voice actresses

Category:Annie Award winners

Category:Contestants on American game shows

Category:LGBTQ rights activists from California

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Category:21st-century American women