Merrin Dungey
| Merrin Dungey | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 6, 1971 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse(s) | Matthew Drake (2007-present) |
| Partner(s) | Travis Fimmel (?-2003) |
| Children | 1 daughter, born in 2008 |
Merrin Dungey (born August 6, 1971) is an American film and television actress, best known for her roles on the television series The King of Queens, Alias and Summerland.
Contents |
Biography [edit]
Early life [edit]
Dungey was born in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Don Dungey, a general services manager.[1] As a child, she was active in ballet and dance as well as piano. Dungey was also an accomplished ice skater. Dungey graduated in 1989 from Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California. She earned a degree of Bachelor of Arts from UCLA. She was the youngest recipient of the UCLA Acting Award.[2] Merrin Dungey has one sister, Channing Dungey, who is also deeply involved in the film industry. Channing Dungey has worked for various studios including Steven Seagal's Steamroller Productions, Warner Bros. Productions, and is currently Senior VP of Drama Development at ABC Entertainment.
Career [edit]
Dungey had small roles in Hollywood films such as EDtv and Deep Impact and on television series such as Martin before landing what arguably is her best known role, the recurring role of Kelly Palmer on the CBS television series The King of Queens (which she played from 1998 to 2007). She appeared in at least one episode of every season in the series except for the 2002 season.[3]
Dungey is also well known for her role as Francie Calfo on the drama series Alias, on which she starred from 2001 to 2003 and reprised in a surprise appearance in the series finale episode All the Time in the World. She also had a recurring role on the FOX sitcom Malcolm in the Middle as Stevie's mother, Kitty Kernaban. At one point, Dungey was notable for having recurring roles in three shows (King of Queens, Malcolm in the Middle and Alias), all at the same time.
Dungey then portrayed Susannah in the WB drama series Summerland from 2004 to 2005.
Dungey has guest starred on various TV series including Living Single, ER, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Friends, The West Wing, Babylon 5 and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Dungey appeared in the initial two-hour preview special of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice but was replaced by actress Audra McDonald for the actual series.[4]
Most recently, Dungey guest-starred on the ABC sitcom's Surviving Suburbia starring Bob Saget, Better Off Ted starring Portia de Rossi, Castle starring Nathan Fillion and HBO's Hung starring Thomas Jane.[5] She currently portrays Ellie on the Nick at Nite television series Hollywood Heights.
Family life [edit]
Dungey briefly dated fashion model Travis Fimmel in the early 2000's before breaking up in 2003.[6] Merrin married Matthew Drake in a Mariachi style wedding ceremony in Cancun, Mexico in May 2007. She gave birth to their daughter in June 2008.
Filmography [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Deep Impact | Sheila Bradley | |
| 1999 | EDtv | Ms. Seaver | |
| 2001 | The Sky Is Falling | Sheila | |
| 2001 | Odessa or Bust | Disgruntled Diner | Short film |
| 2002 | Scream at the Sound of the Beep | Jill | |
| 2011 | L!fe Happens | Hester |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Martin | Monique | Episode: "Girfriend" |
| 1996 | Babylon 5 | Security Guard #2 | Episode: "Messages from Earth" |
| 1996 | Living Single | Laura | Episode: "Woman to Woman" |
| 1996 | Party Girl | Wanda | 4 episodes |
| 1997 | Caroline in the City | Female Prostitute | Episode: "Caroline and the Buyer" |
| 1997 | ER | Daphina | Episode: "When the Bough Breaks" |
| 1997 | Murphy Brown | Woman | Episode: "From the Terrace" |
| 1998 | Seinfeld | Cashier | Episode: "The Bookstore" |
| 1999 | Tracey Takes On... | Nancy | Episode: "Drugs" |
| 1999 | Saved by the Bell: The New Class | Coach Williams | Episode: "Prescription for Trouble" |
| 1999 | The West Wing | Daisy | Episode: "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc" |
| 1999 | G vs E | Rebecca Clemens | Episode: "Cliffhanger" |
| 1999-2007 | The King of Queens | Kelly Palmer | 39 episodes |
| 2000 | Jesse | Rosemary | Episode: "Kurt Slips, Niagara Falls" |
| 2000 | City of Angels | Mrs. Lombard | Episode: "Deliver the Male" |
| 2000 | Friends | The Museum Official | Episode: "The One Where Paul's the Man" |
| 2000-2001 | Grosse Pointe | Joan | 4 episodes |
| 2000-2001 | Malcolm in the Middle | Kitty Kenarban | 6 episodes |
| 2001 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Amy | Episode: "The Doll" |
| 2001-2003 | Alias | Francie Calfo/Allison Doren | 46 episodes |
| 2004-2005 | Summerland | Susannah Rexford | 26 episodes |
| 2006 | Beyond | Debbie Sprague | TV movie |
| 2006 | Alias | Francie Calfo | Episode: "All the Time in the World" |
| 2007 | Boston Legal | Sandy Zionts | Episode: "Angel of Death" |
| 2007 | Grey's Anatomy | Dr. Naomi Bennett | Episode: "The Other Side of This Life: Part 1" Episode: "The Other Side of This Life: Part 2" |
| 2009 | Masterwork | Rachel West | TV movie |
| 2009 | Surviving Suburbia | Mrs. Devore | Episode: "Nothing for Money" |
| 2009-2010 | Better Off Ted | Sheila | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Castle | Monica Finch | Episode: "Den of Thieves" |
| 2010 | The Closer | Ms. Reed | Episode: "Heart Attack" |
| 2010 | Hung | Liz | Episode: "Beaverland" Episode: "The Middle East Is Complicated" |
| 2010 | Outlaw | Alison Mills | Episode: "In Re: Curtis Farwell" |
| 2012 | Revenge | Barbara Snow | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | Hollywood Heights | Ellie | Recurring role |
| 2013 | 90210 | Therapist | Episode: "Brother From Another Mother" |
