Kathy Najimy, actress

Kathy Najimy

K athy Najimy, born to Lebanese immigrant parents Fred and Samia Najimy, is not only and actress, but a director, writer, and producer. She received two Annie Award nominations for her work on the T.V. series King of the Hill. Although most may not recognize her as the voice for "Peggy" how can we forget her in the blockbuster role as "Sister Mary Patrick" from the hit comedy movie Sister Act. The role won her an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress and a nomination from the Hollywood Women's Press Club for Female Discovery of the Year.

Najimy was born in San Diego, California and studied drama at San Diego State University. Her Lebanese heritage has always been important to her and is a source of great self-pride. "Being Lebanese is something I have grown up being very proud of. As a kid I wore it like a badge. I was a different breed as far as I was concerned, the blessed breed. And I talked about it all the time," she said in a speech at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee convention three years ago.

Najimy has appeared in countless movies such as Hope Floats, Sister Act II, The Fisher King, Soap Dish, Hocus Pocus, This is My Life, and many others. She has guest-starred on television shows like 'Early Edition,' 'She TV,' 'Ellen,' and 'Chicago Hope'. She received an American Comedy Award nomination for her role as a Lebanese-American executive named "Olive" for three seasons on NBC-TV's 'Veronica's Closet' which co-starred Kirstie Alley.

Najimy has always focused on women's rights and revels in being called a feminist. "I do it as a pride thing - like I say I'm Lebanese the same way I say I'm feminist because I'm proud of being Lebanese - I think it's natural - and I think it's natural to be feminist," Najimy said in an interview with Feminist.com.

For her 15 years of AIDS activism, Najimy has been honored with the L.A. Shanti's Founder award as well as the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center's Distinguished Achievement award. She is an enthusiastic supporter of AIDS, women and animal rights, and Najimy has lent her support to a variety of worthy organizations that include: Project Angel Food, APLA, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign Fund, Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS, AMFAR, Planned Parenthood, Voters for Choice, and NARAL. As a proud Lebanese American Kathy has received awards from the ACC and The ADC and in May 2000, Kathy spoke at the HRCF's Equality Rocks concert with Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, and Chaka Kahn.

Najimy currently lives with her husband, actor Dan Finnerty, and their daughter Samia in Los Angeles and New York.

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From feminist.com
kathynajimy.com

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