Wendi McLendon-Covey

Wendi McLendon-Covey
McLendon-Covey in 2012
Born Wendy Anne McLendon[1]
(1969-10-10) October 10, 1969
Bellflower, California, U.S.
Residence Signal Hill, California
Alma mater California State University, Long Beach
Occupation Actress, comedian
Years active 2001–present
Spouse(s)
Greg Covey (m. 1996)

Wendi Anne McLendon-Covey (born Wendy Anne McLendon; October 10, 1969) is an American actress and comedian, known primarily for her work in comedic and improvisational roles.

A native of Long Beach, California, McLendon-Covey worked numerous jobs after graduating high school before earning a degree from California State University in 2000. After graduating, she became a member of The Groundlings, an improvisational comedy group in Los Angeles, and remained a member until 2009.

She began her acting career while still a member of the Groundlings, starring in the improvisational Comedy Central series Reno 911!, as Deputy Clementine Johnson from 2003–08. She also had the lead role in the Lifetime short-lived comedy Lovespring International (2006), as well as minor roles in Bewitched (2005) and Over Her Dead Body (2008). From 2010 to 2013, she had a recurring role on CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement.

After a breakout performance in the 2011 comedy film Bridesmaids, McLendon-Covey has appeared in a number of films, including What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012), The Single Moms Club (2014), Blended (2014), Think Like a Man Too (2014), and Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015). In 2013, she began starring as Beverly Goldberg, a family matriarch, on the ABC comedy series The Goldbergs, for which she was nominated for two Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

Early life

Wendy Anne McLendon was born in Bellflower, California, the daughter of Carolyn (née Lewis), an accountant, and David Robert McLendon, a former delivery driver for Coca-Cola. She has a younger sister who is a therapist in Portland, Oregon.[2] She was raised Baptist,[3] and has Scottish and English ancestry. McLendon-Covey was raised in Long Beach, where she graduated from high school in 1987.[2] She worked a series of different retail jobs while attending Long Beach City College and Golden West College before enrolling at California State University, Long Beach, where she graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Creative Writing in 2000.[4] "I didn't graduate college until I was thirty," she told Marc Maron in 2017. "I had a lot of stops and starts."[2]

After graduating from college, while McLendon-Covey was working at a hotel in Anaheim, she enrolled in a weekend class for non-actors at The Groundlings, an improvisational group in Los Angeles.[2] She officially joined The Groundlings in 2002, and meanwhile worked as an editor for California State University's academic journal of social work, a job she kept until 2012.[2]

Career

McLendon-Covey performing with Michael Hitchcock and Karri Turner at improv comedy show in 2010

2001–2010

While a member of the Groundlings, McLendon-Covey was a classmate of comedians Kaitlin Olson,[2] Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, the latter two of whom she later starred alongside in the film Bridesmaids.[5] While a member of the Groundlings, McLendon-Covey steadily auditioned for television and film roles, but did not have an agent at the time and was unable to book jobs.[2]

In 2003, she auditioned for the role of Deputy Clementine Johnson in the comedy series Reno 911![6] "I went in, and I thought, "Fuck this. I'm not gonna get it, but you know what? I'm just gonna go in [and try]," she recalled.[2] At the time, the series had previously been considered by Fox.[2] McLendon-Covey was cast in the role, and the series was subsequently picked up by Comedy Central.[2][6]

In the third year of Reno 911!, she also starred in the Lifetime comedy show Lovespring International in 2006 and has provided commentary for E!, TV Guide Channel, and VH1. In 2007, she starred in the comedy film Reno 911!: Miami, based on Comedy Central's "Reno 911!" and also appeared in Bewitched (2005) and Over Her Dead Body (2008). She produced, wrote, and starred in the 2007 independent comedy film Cook-Off!.[4] McLendon-Covey also guest-starred on television series such as The Office, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Cougar Town.

2011–present

In 2011, McLendon-Covey starred in the financially successful and critically lauded comedy film Bridesmaids with Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, and Ellie Kemper.[7] Beginning in July that same year, she began starring in national TV ads for a new campaign by Hillshire Farm.[8] From 2010 to 2013, she had a recurring role on the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement.[9] She also had guest-starring roles in Fox's short-lived sitcom I Hate My Teenage Daughter,[10] TV Land's Hot in Cleveland,[11] and ABC's Modern Family.[12]

McLendon-Covey with The Goldbergs cast in 2014

McLendon-Covey appeared in the 2012 romantic comedy What to Expect When You're Expecting, directed by Kirk Jones,[13] as well had cameo in Steven Soderbergh's movie Magic Mike.[14] She will have roles in the Christmas comedy movie A White Trash Christmas about a white-trash mom visited by three ghosts intent on showing her a path to a brighter future,[15] and in the comedy-drama film The Breakup Girl directed by Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning Stacy Sherman about three estranged sisters dealing with the death of their father.[16] She also starred in the 2012 comedy pilot Waffle Hut.[17]

In February 2012, McLendon-Covey was cast in the HBO comedy pilot The Viagra Diaries, created by Sex and the City creator and executive producer Darren Star, but when Goldie Hawn exited the pilot, McLendon-Covey also left the show.[18] After she received five offers, she won the female lead role on ABC's comedy pilot Only Fools And Horses.[19][20] She also played one of the leads in Tyler Perry's film The Single Moms Club (2014).[21][22] Also in 2014, she starred in A Merry Friggin' Christmas as Robin Williams' character's daughter,[23] Blended, as Drew Barrymore's character's best friend,[24][25] and Think Like a Man Too.[26]

In January 2013, McLendon-Covey was cast in the lead role of the ABC comedy series The Goldbergs, created by Adam F. Goldberg.[27][28] Her portrayal of the character received critical praise,[29] and she was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014.[30]

McLendon-Covey at the International Press Academy’s 12th Annual Satellite Awards in 2007

In 2015, McLendon-Covey starred opposite Sally Field in the comedy-drama film Hello, My Name Is Doris.[31] Also that year, McLendon-Covey hosted ABC reality comedy series Repeat After Me, produced by Ellen DeGeneres.[32] Also in 2015, she played the female leading role opposite Nicolas Cage in the comedy film Army of One, directed by Larry Charles.[33][34]

McLendon-Covey had a dramatic role as Mark Felt's secretary Carol Tschudy in the political thriller film Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (2017), directed by Peter Landesman.[35]

Personal life

McLendon-Covey has been married to Greg Covey since 1996.[4] They live in Signal Hill, California, by McLendon-Covey's account, "only a couple of miles" from where she was raised.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
2001 Henry and Marvin Judy Short film
2005 Bewitched E! Anchor
2007 Reno 911!: Miami Deputy Clementine Johnson
2007 Closing Escrow Hillary US Comedy Arts Festival for Best Comedy Performance in Film
2007 Cook-Off! Pauline Solfest Also co-writer
US Comedy Arts Festival for Best Comedy Performance in Film
2007 Goldfish Mrs. Jenkins
2008 Over Her Dead Body Lona
2009 Boutonniere Mrs. Pruitt
2009 Spooner Linda
2009 Jesus People: The Movie Jenna Bosch
2010 Starlight & Superfish Dawn
2010 Douchebag Mary Barger
2010 Tug Taylor
2010 Public Relations Candice
2010 The Search for Santa Paws Ms. Stout
2011 Sometimes Pretty Girls Tootsie Short film
2011 Bridesmaids Rita New York Film Critics Online Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble
MTV Movie Award for Best Gut-Wrenching Performance
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Cast
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble
Nominated—People's Choice Awards for Best Ensemble Cast
Nominated—Central Ohio Film Critics Association for Best Acting Ensemble
2012 Holiday Road Rosman
2012 What to Expect When You're Expecting Kara
2012 Magic Mike Tara Scenes deleted[36]
2013 10 Rules for Sleeping Around Emma Cooney
2013 All American Christmas Carol Marjorie
2014 Date and Switch Linda
2014 Cuban Fury Carly
2014 The Single Moms Club Jan Malkovitch
2014 Blended Jen
2014 Think Like a Man Too Tish
2014 A Merry Friggin' Christmas Shauna
2015 The Breakup Girl Sharon
2015 Hello, My Name Is Doris Cynthia
2016 Army of One Marci
2017 Speech & Debate[37] Joan
2017 Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House Carol Tschudy
2018 Status Update[38] Ann Moore
2018 Whaling Aunt Jackie
2018 Goosebumps: Haunted Halloween Kathy Quinn
2019 What Men Want Olivia Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Lovespring International Lydia Mayhew Series regular, 13 episodes
2008 Greek Connie Episode: "Spring Broke"
2003–08 Reno 911! Deputy Clementine Johnson Series regular, 73 episodes
2008 The Office Concierge Marie Episode: "Business Trip"
2008 Kath & Kim Lucy Episode: "Friends"
2009 10 Things I Hate About You Vivian Episodes: "Light My Fire" and " Dance Little Sister"
2009 Wizards of Waverly Place Dr. Ice Episode: "Three Monsters"
2011 Cougar Town Vice Principal Episode: "You're Gonna Get It!"
2011 Svetlana Phoebe 2 episodes
2011 I Hate My Teenage Daughter Deanna Episodes: "Pilot" and "Teenage Girlfriends"
2010–13 Rules of Engagement Liz Recurring role, 14 episodes
2012 Hot in Cleveland Sandy Episode: "God and Football"
2012 Bob's Burgers Mudflap (voice) 3 episodes
2012 Wedding Band Barb Henderson Episode: "I Don't Wanna Grow Up"
2012 Waffle Hut Reba TV Pilot
2012 Only Fools and Horses Ruby Ross TV Pilot
2012 The Looney Tunes Show Patricia Bunny (voice) Season 2: "You've Got Hate Mail", "Rebel Without a Glove" and "Father Figures"
2012–13 Modern Family Pam Episodes: "Schooled" and "The Wow Factor"
2013–present The Goldbergs Beverly Goldberg Series regular
Nominated—Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series (2014, 2016)
2015 Repeat After Me Host
2015 Mike Tyson Mysteries Elsa Schmidt 1 episode
2015–16 American Dad! Autograph Seeker, Monkey Trainer, Scottie's Mom (voice) 4 episodes
2018 Big City Greens Nancy Green (voice) 1 episode

References

  1. ↑ "The Birth of Wendi A McLendon". California Birth Index. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 McLendon-Covey, Wendi (May 4, 2017). "Episode 808". WTF Podcast (Interview). Interviewed by Marc Maron. Retrieved June 29, 2017 – via PlayerFM.
  3. ↑ Griffiths, John (May 6, 2014). "She Says, He Says". Television Academy. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Wendi McLendon-Covey Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  5. ↑ McLendon-Covey (May 25, 2011). "Wendy McLendon-Covey". Conversations with Ross (Interview). Interviewed by Ross Carey. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  6. 1 2 TV Guide staff (2006). "Talking with... Wendi McLendon-Covey". TV Guide. 54: 9. ISSN 0039-8543.
  7. ↑ "Wendi McLendon-Covey | Movies and Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Hillshire Farm(R) Introduces Brand New Campaign That is "So Good. They'll Think It's for Them"". MarketWatch. July 5, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  9. ↑ Stahler, Kelsea (October 8, 2011). "Exclusive: We Chat With 'Rules of Engagement's' Wendi McLendon-Covey". Hollywood.com. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  10. ↑ Masters, Megan (September 13, 2011). "Exclusive: I Hate My Teenage Daughter Casts Bridesmaids Scene-Stealer". TVLine. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  11. ↑ Tanner Stransky, 'Bridesmaids' comedienne to guest star on 'Hot in Cleveland' – EXCLUSIVE, Entertainment Weekly, November 14, 2011
  12. ↑ Nadel, Nick (August 13, 2012). "'Modern Family': Wendi McLendon-Covey to guest as a lesbian mom". Entertainment Weekly. Inside TV. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  13. ↑ Rose, Lacey; Kit, Borys (July 13, 2011). "'Bridesmaids' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey Joins 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  14. ↑ Fernandez, Jay A. (September 6, 2011). "'Bridesmaids' Actress Signs on for 'Magic Mike'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  15. ↑ Harris, Scott (November 8, 2011). "'Bridesmaids' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey Gets 'Trash'ed". Next Movie. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  16. ↑ Brooks, Brian (March 1, 2012). "Mary Kay Place, Sarah Paulson, Mamie Gummer Set For 'Claire's Cambodia'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  17. ↑ Barmann, Jay (February 4, 2013). "Watch the Teaser for Waffle Hut, a Food-Focused TV Pilot". Grub Street. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  18. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2012). "'Bridesmaids' Wendi McLendon-Covey Cast In Goldie Hawn's HBO Pilot 'Viagra Diaries'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  19. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2012). "'Bridesmaids' Wendi McLendon-Covey To Co-Star In ABC Pilot 'Only Fools & Horses'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  20. ↑ Bustos, Kristina (March 7, 2012). "'Only Fools and Horses' US casts 'Bridesmaids' Wendi McLendon-Covey". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  21. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (November 8, 2012). "McLendon-Covey married to 'Single Mom's Club". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Tyler Perry Casting Up 'Single Mom's Club' Adds 'Bridesmaids' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey". IndieWire. November 8, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  23. ↑ Lucas Shaw (March 18, 2013). "'Bridesmaids' Actress, Tim of 'Tim & Eric' Join Robin Williams, Joel McHale in Yule Comedy (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  24. ↑ "'Bridesmaids' Actress Joins Adam Sandler Comedy for Warner Bros. (Exclusive) | The Wrap Movies". The Wrap. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ Hibberd, James. "Casting Net: Alec Baldwin for Cameron Crowe pic; Plus Ethan Hawke, more | Inside Movies &#124". Entertainment Weekly. Inside Movies. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  26. ↑ Gallagher, Brian (May 28, 2013). "Think Like a Man Too Begins Production in Las Vegas". MovieWeb. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  27. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Wendi McLendon-Covey To Star In Adam Goldberg's 1980s Comedy Pilot At ABC – Deadline". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  28. ↑ "Wendi McLendon-Covey cast in Adam Goldberg's ABC comedy pilot". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  29. ↑ Furlong, Maggie (June 10, 2014). "Wendi McLendon-Covey Deserves an Emmy for 'The Goldbergs,' Is the Funniest Woman on TV". Yahoo! TV. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  30. ↑ Busis, Hillary (May 28, 2014). "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are..." Entertainment Weekly. Inside TV. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Natasha Lyonne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kyle Mooney, Kumail Nanjiani Join Indie Comedy (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  32. ↑ "ABC orders prank show inspired by Ellen DeGeneres". EW.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  33. ↑ Kit, Borys. "'Goldbergs' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey Joins Nicolas Cage in Bin Laden Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  34. ↑ Maas, Jennifer (February 19, 2015). "Casting Net: 'Bridesmaids' star Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Nicolas Cage in Bin Laden satire". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  35. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. "Watergate Deep Throat Movie 'Felt': Cast Surrounding Liam Neeson - Deadline". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  36. ↑ Perricone, Kathleen. "Wendi McLendon-Covey: What It's Really Like to Work With Jennifer Lopez". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  37. ↑ Ross A. Lincoln. "'Speech & Debate' Casts 'The Goldbergs' Wendi McLendon-Covey – Deadline". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  38. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 19, 2016). "Rob Riggle, Famke Janssen, Wendi McLendon-Covey & More Round Out 'Status Update' Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
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