Merrin Dungey (born August 6, 1969) is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
filmFilm encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. Films are produced by recording images from the world with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects....
and
televisionTelevision is a widely used telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images, either monochromatic or color, usually accompanied by sound. "Television" may also refer specifically to a television set, television programming or television transmission...
actress, best known for her roles on the television series
The King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that ran for nine seasons, from 1998 to 2007, on CBS.The show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures Television...
,
AliasAlias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006...
, and
SummerlandSummerland is an American drama television series created by Stephen Tolkin and Lori Loughlin. It is centered on a clothing designer in her 30s, Ava Gregory , raising her niece and nephews after their parents die in a tragic accident...
.
Dungey was born in
Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento is the capital of the U.S. state of California, and the county seat of Sacramento County. Located along the Sacramento River and just south of the American River's confluence in California's expansive Central Valley. With a 2007 estimated population of 460,242, it is the seventh-largest...
, the daughter of Don Dungey, a general services manager. 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 SchoolRio Americano High School, colloquially known as Rio, is an American public high school in Sacramento, California, serving students in grades 9 through 12 as part of the San Juan Unified School District. Brian T. Ginter has been selected as the new principal for the coming year...
in Sacramento, California.
Merrin Dungey (born August 6, 1969) is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
filmFilm encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. Films are produced by recording images from the world with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects....
and
televisionTelevision is a widely used telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images, either monochromatic or color, usually accompanied by sound. "Television" may also refer specifically to a television set, television programming or television transmission...
actress, best known for her roles on the television series
The King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that ran for nine seasons, from 1998 to 2007, on CBS.The show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures Television...
,
AliasAlias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006...
, and
SummerlandSummerland is an American drama television series created by Stephen Tolkin and Lori Loughlin. It is centered on a clothing designer in her 30s, Ava Gregory , raising her niece and nephews after their parents die in a tragic accident...
.
Early life
Dungey was born in
Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento is the capital of the U.S. state of California, and the county seat of Sacramento County. Located along the Sacramento River and just south of the American River's confluence in California's expansive Central Valley. With a 2007 estimated population of 460,242, it is the seventh-largest...
, the daughter of Don Dungey, a general services manager. 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 SchoolRio Americano High School, colloquially known as Rio, is an American public high school in Sacramento, California, serving students in grades 9 through 12 as part of the San Juan Unified School District. Brian T. Ginter has been selected as the new principal for the coming year...
in Sacramento, California. She earned a degree of
Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences or both....
from UCLA. She was the youngest recipient of the UCLA Acting Award.
Career
Dungey had small roles in Hollywood films such as
EDtvEDtv is a comedy film directed by Ron Howard released in 1999. An adaptation of the French Canadian movie Louis 19, le roi des ondes , it stars Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson, Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Landau, Rob Reiner, Sally Kirkland, Elizabeth Hurley, Clint Howard and Dennis...
and
Deep ImpactDeep Impact may refer to:*Deep Impact , a 1998 film.*Deep Impact , a 2005 NASA space mission.*Deep Impact , a champion Japanese racehorse.*"Deep Impact" , a song by Dragon Ash....
and on television series such as
MartinMartin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on FOX...
, before landing what arguably is her best known role, that of Kelly Palmer, on the CBS television series
The King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that ran for nine seasons, from 1998 to 2007, on CBS.The show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures Television...
from 1998-2007. She appeared in at least one episode of every season in the series, except for the 2002 season.
Dungey is also well known for her role as
Francie CalfoFrancine "Francie" Calfo is a fictional character on the television series Alias, portrayed by Merrin Dungey. She is Sydney Bristow's close friend.-Biography:Francie was Sydney Bristow's best friend and roommate during the beginning of the series...
on the drama series
AliasAlias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006...
, on which she starred from 2001 to 2003 and reprised in a surprise appearance in the
series finaleA series finale or a final episode is the very last installment of a television series, usually a sitcom or drama. The term is typically used to refer to a planned ending, as opposed to an unplanned one when a series is suddenly cancelled by its network. Something labeled as a "series finale" is...
episode
All the Time in the World. She also had a recurring role on the
FOXThe Fox Broadcasting Company , commonly referred to as Fox , is an American television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, from 2004 to 2009 Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the 18–49 demographic...
sitcom
Malcolm in the MiddleMalcolm in the Middle is an American comedy television series created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
as Stevie's mother, Kitty Kernaban. Notably, Dungey was at one point starring in all three television series at the same time.
Dungey would then star as Susannah in the WB drama series
SummerlandSummerland is an American drama television series created by Stephen Tolkin and Lori Loughlin. It is centered on a clothing designer in her 30s, Ava Gregory , raising her niece and nephews after their parents die in a tragic accident...
from 2004 - 2005. She has also guest starred on various TV series including:
MartinMartin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on FOX...
,
Living SingleLiving Single was an American television sitcom which aired for five seasons on FOX from August 1993 until January 1998. The show centered on the lives of six African American friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone...
,
ERER is an American medical drama series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 1994 to April 2009. It is set primarily in the emergency room of fictional County General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment in...
,
Murphy BrownMurphy Brown is an American situation comedy which aired on CBS from November 14, 1988 to May 18, 1998, for a total of 247 episodes. The program starred Candice Bergen as the eponymous Murphy Brown, an investigative journalist and news anchor for FYI, a fictional CBS television newsmagazine.The...
,
SeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. The eponymous series was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, with the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
, as a wedding planner on
Friends,
The West Wing and
Curb Your EnthusiasmCurb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy series starring Seinfeld writer, co-creator, and executive producer Larry David as himself. It is produced and broadcast by HBO....
. In March 2007, it was announced that Dungey would be part of the cast of the
Grey's AnatomyGrey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series. It follows the lives of five surgical interns, later residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle, Washington. The pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night" premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC...
spinoff titled
Private Practice, starring alongside
Kate WalshKathleen Erin "Kate" Walsh is an American film and television actress, currently known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on the ABC dramas Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.-Early life:...
as
Dr. Addison MontgomeryAddison Forbes Montgomery, previously Addison Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd and more commonly known as Addison Montgomery, is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, and its spin-off show Private Practice. Addison is a world-class neonatal surgeon with board certifications...
. She appeared in the initial two-hour preview special, but, for creative reasons, she was replaced by Tony Award winner
Audra McDonaldAudra Ann McDonald is a four-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer. She currently stars in the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett.-Biography:...
for the actual series. Most recently Dungey guest-starred on the ABC sitcom
Surviving SuburbiaSurviving Suburbia is a comedy television series starring Bob Saget and Cynthia Stevenson, and premiered on April 6, 2009 at 9:30PM Eastern/8:30PM Central on ABC. On August 7, 2009 Surviving Suburbia aired its final episode at 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central...
, starring
Bob SagetRobert Lane "Bob" Saget is an American actor, stand-up comedian, television host, and filmmaker. Although he is best known for his past roles in the family-oriented shows Full House and America's Funniest Home Videos, Saget is known outside of television for his starkly blue stand-up routine...
.
Television
- Surviving Suburbia
Surviving Suburbia is a comedy television series starring Bob Saget and Cynthia Stevenson, and premiered on April 6, 2009 at 9:30PM Eastern/8:30PM Central on ABC. On August 7, 2009 Surviving Suburbia aired its final episode at 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central...
(2009)
- Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series. It follows the lives of five surgical interns, later residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle, Washington. The pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night" premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC...
(2007)
- Boston Legal
Boston Legal is an American legal drama-comedy created by David E. Kelley, which originally ran on ABC from October 3, 2004 to December 8, 2008. A spin-off of the long-running series The Practice, Boston Legal followed the personal and professional exploits of a group of attorneys working at the...
(2007)
- Alias
Alias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006...
(cast member, 2001-2003)
- Summerland
Summerland is an American drama television series created by Stephen Tolkin and Lori Loughlin. It is centered on a clothing designer in her 30s, Ava Gregory , raising her niece and nephews after their parents die in a tragic accident...
(cast member, 2004-2005)
- Malcom in the Middle (recurring, 2000-2004)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy series starring Seinfeld writer, co-creator, and executive producer Larry David as himself. It is produced and broadcast by HBO....
(2001)
- Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe is an American television sitcom which aired on the WB Network during the 2000-2001 television season. Created by Darren Star, it was a satire depicting the behind-the-scenes drama on the set of a television show, and was inspired in large part by Star's experiences as the creator and...
(recurring, 2000-2001)
- Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which premiered on NBC on September 22, 1994. The series revolved around a group of friends in the area of Manhattan, New York City, who occasionally live together and share living expenses. The series was produced by...
(2000)
- G vs E
G vs E is an American fantasy-based television action series that had its first season air on USA Network during the summer and autumn of 1999. For the second season the series switched to the Sci Fi Channel in early 2000...
(1999)
- The West Wing (1999)
- The King of Queens
The King of Queens is an American sitcom that ran for nine seasons, from 1998 to 2007, on CBS.The show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures Television...
(cast member, 1998-2007)
- Seinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. The eponymous series was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, with the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
(1998)
- Murphy Brown
Murphy Brown is an American situation comedy which aired on CBS from November 14, 1988 to May 18, 1998, for a total of 247 episodes. The program starred Candice Bergen as the eponymous Murphy Brown, an investigative journalist and news anchor for FYI, a fictional CBS television newsmagazine.The...
(1997)
- ER
ER is an American medical drama series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 1994 to April 2009. It is set primarily in the emergency room of fictional County General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment in...
(1997)
- Party Girl
Party Girl is a television show based on the 1995 film of the same name, produced in 1996. It starred Christine Taylor as Mary and Swoosie Kurtz as Judy. Marketing of the film centered around Taylor's recent popularity for her portrayal of Marcia Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie...
(1996)
- Living Single
Living Single was an American television sitcom which aired for five seasons on FOX from August 1993 until January 1998. The show centered on the lives of six African American friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone...
(1996)
- Martin
Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on FOX...
(1995)
Films
- The Sky Is Falling
The Sky is Falling is an American film released in 2000 written and directed by Florrie Laurence and produced by Brad Hall and David Parks. The picture starred Dedee Pfeiffer, Teri Garr, Howard Hesseman, and Eric Close.-Plot:...
(2000)
- EDtv
EDtv is a comedy film directed by Ron Howard released in 1999. An adaptation of the French Canadian movie Louis 19, le roi des ondes , it stars Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson, Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Landau, Rob Reiner, Sally Kirkland, Elizabeth Hurley, Clint Howard and Dennis...
(1999)
- Deep Impact
Deep Impact may refer to:*Deep Impact , a 1998 film.*Deep Impact , a 2005 NASA space mission.*Deep Impact , a champion Japanese racehorse.*"Deep Impact" , a song by Dragon Ash....
(1999)
External links