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 Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress, comedian, writer, producer
Years active 2001–present
Spouse(s) Greg Covey (m. 1996)

Wendy Anne McLendon-Covey (born October 10, 1969, known professionally as Wendi McLendon-Covey) is an American actress, writer, producer and comedian.

She began her career in the improvisational Comedy Central series Reno 911!, starring as Deputy Clementine Johnson from 2003–08. She also had the lead role in the Lifetime short-lived comedy Lovespring International (2006). 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

McLendon-Covey 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. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Creative Writing in 2000.[4]

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 performed at improv comedy show in 2010

2001–10

McLendon-Covey is well known for her ability as an improvisational actress. She was a member of The Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles from 2002 to 2009.[4][5] While a member of the Groundlings, she was a classmate of comedians Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, with whom she later starred in the film Bridesmaids.[6]

From 2003 to 2008, McLendon-Covey starred as Deputy Clementine Johnson on the Comedy Central television series 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' 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]

In 2016, McLendon-Covey was cast in dramatic role of Mark Felt's secretary Carol Tschudy in the political thriller film The Silent Man directed by Peter Landesman.[35]

Personal life

McLendon-Covey has been married to Greg Covey since 1996.[4] They live in Long Beach, California.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
2001 Henry and Marvin Judy Short film
2005 Bewitched E! Anchor
2006 Cook-Off! Pauline Solfest US Comedy Arts Festival for Best Comedy Performance in Film
2007 Reno 911!: Miami Deputy Clementine Johnson
2007 Closing Escrow Hillary 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 Emsemble
Nominated—People's Choice Awards for Best Ensemble Cast
Nominated—Central Ohio Film Critics Association for Best Acting Emsemble
2012 Holiday Road Rosman
2012 What to Expect When You're Expecting Kara
2012 Magic Mike Tara Scenes deleted
2013 10 Rules for Sleeping Around Emma Cooney
2013 All American Christmas Carol Marjorie
2014 Date and Switch Linda
2014 Cuban Fury Carly Cameo
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[36] Joan
2017 Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House Carol Tschudy Completed
2017 Status Update[37] Ann Moore 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

References

  1. ↑ "Wendi A McLendon, Born 10/10/1969 in California". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. 1969-10-10. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  2. 1 2 3 McLendon-Covey, Wendi (May 4, 2017). "Episode 808". WTF Podcast (Interview). Interview with Marc Maron.
  3. ↑ "She Says, He Says". Television Academy. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Wendi McLendon-Covey Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  5. ↑ "Wendi McLendon-Covey". Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Conversations with Ross: Featuring Wendy McLendon-Covey RossCarey.com
  7. ↑ "Wendi McLendon-Covey | Movies and Biography – Yahoo Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  8. ↑ Hillshire Farm(R) Introduces Brand New Campaign That is "So Good. They'll Think It's for Them" MarketWatch (July 5, 2011). Retrieved on 9-25-11.
  9. ↑ Kelsea Stahler, Exclusive: We Chat With 'Rules of Engagement's' Wendi McLendon-Covey, Hollywood.com, October 08, 2011
  10. ↑ Masters, Megan (2011-09-13). "Exclusive: I Hate My Teenage Daughter Casts Bridesmaids Scene-Stealer". TVLine. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  11. ↑ Tanner Stransky, 'Bridesmaids' comedienne to guest star on 'Hot in Cleveland' – EXCLUSIVE, Entertainment Weekly, November 14, 2011
  12. ↑ Nadel, Nick (2012-08-13). "'Modern Family': Wendi McLendon-Covey to guest as a lesbian mom | Inside TV | EW.com". Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  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. ↑ Scott Harris,'Bridesmaids' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey Gets 'Trash'ed, nextmovie.com, November 8, 2011
  16. ↑ Brian Brooks, Mary Kay Place, Sarah Paulson, Mamie Gummer Set For ‘Claire’s Cambodia’, Deadline.com, March 1, 2012
  17. ↑ "‘Bridesmaid’ Wendi McLendon-Covey Falls For ‘Magic Mike’ – NextMovie". NextMovie. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  18. ↑ Nellie Andreeva, ‘Bridesmaids’ Wendi McLendon-Covey Cast In Goldie Hawn’s HBO Pilot ‘Viagra Diaries’, Deadline.com, February 8, 2012
  19. ↑ Nellie Andreeva,‘Bridesmaids’ Wendi McLendon-Covey To Co-Star In ABC Pilot ‘Only Fools & Horses’ Deadline.com, March 7, 2012
  20. ↑ Kristina Bustos, 'Only Fools and Horses' US casts 'Bridesmaids' Wendi McLendon-Covey, Digital Spy, March 7, 2012
  21. ↑ Jeff Sneider, McLendon-Covey married to 'Single Mom's Club, Variety, November 8, 2012
  22. ↑ Tyler Perry Casting Up 'Single Mom's Club' Adds 'Bridesmaids' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey, IndieWire, November 8, 2012
  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". Thewrap.com. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  25. ↑ Hibberd, James. "Casting Net: Alec Baldwin for Cameron Crowe pic; Plus Ethan Hawke, more | Inside Movies | EW.com". Insidemovies.ew.com. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  26. ↑ 0 Like2 Dislike6 May 28, 2013 by Brian Gallagher (2013-05-28). "Think Like a Man Too Begins Production in Las Vegas". MovieWeb.com. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  27. ↑ Nellie Andreeva. "Wendi McLendon-Covey To Star In Adam Goldberg’s 1980s Comedy Pilot At ABC – Deadline". Deadline. 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 (2014-06-10). "Wendi McLendon-Covey Deserves an Emmy for 'The Goldbergs,' Is the Funniest Woman on TV | Yahoo TV – Yahoo TV". Tv.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  30. ↑ Busis, Hillary (2014-05-28). "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are... | Inside TV | EW.com". Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  31. ↑ "Natasha Lyonne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kyle Mooney, Kumail Nanjiani Join Indie Comedy (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  32. ↑ "ABC orders prank show inspired by Ellen DeGeneres". EW.com. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  33. ↑ Borys Kit. "'Goldbergs' Star Wendi McLendon-Covey Joins Nicolas Cage in Bin Laden Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  34. ↑ "Casting Net: 'Bridesmaids' star Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Nicolas Cage in Bin Laden satire". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  35. ↑ Mike Fleming Jr. "Watergate Deep Throat Movie ‘Felt’: Cast Surrounding Liam Neeson - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  36. ↑ Ross A. Lincoln. "‘Speech & Debate’ Casts ‘The Goldbergs’ Wendi McLendon-Covey – Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  37. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (19 July 2016). "Rob Riggle, Famke Janssen, Wendi McLendon-Covey & More Round Out ‘Status Update’ Cast". Retrieved 19 July 2016.
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