Bonnie Lynn Hunt(born September 22, 1961)[1]is an American actress and comedian. Her film roles includeRain Man,Beethoven,Beethoven's 2nd,Jumanji,Jerry Maguire,The Green Mile,Cheaper by the Dozen,andCheaper by the Dozen 2.

Bonnie Hunt
Hunt in 2010
Born
Bonnie Lynn Hunt

(1961-09-22)September 22, 1961(age 63)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • director
  • producer
  • writer
  • television host
Years active1984–present
Spouse
John Murphy
(m.1988;div.2008)
Comedy career
MediumFilm, television
GenresImprovisational comedy
Subject(s)Popular culture

Hunt has done voice work inA Bug's Life,Zootopia,and theMonsters, Inc.,Cars,andToy Storyfranchises. She starred inGrandandDavis Rules,as well as creating, producing, writing, and starring inThe Building,Bonnie,andLife with Bonnie.From 2008 to 2010, she hostedThe Bonnie Hunt Show.

Early life

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Bonnie Lee Hunt was born on September 22, 1961, inChicago, Illinois,to Robert Edward Hunt (1927-1981), an electrician, and Alice E. Hunt (née Jatczak; 1925-2021).[2]Her father was ofIrishandBelgianancestry and her mother is ofPolishdescent.[3][4][5]She has three older brothers named Patrick, Kevin, and Tom, two older sisters named Cathy and Carol, and a younger sister named Mary.[citation needed] She was educated inCatholic schools,attendingSaint Ferdinand SchoolandNotre Dame High School for Girlsin Chicago, and worked part-time as a nurse's aide.[6]

In 1982, Hunt worked as anoncologynurse atNorthwestern Memorial Hospitalin Chicago. In 1984, she co-founded animprovisational comedytroupe called An Impulsive Thing.[6]Hunt also performed as a member of Chicago's world-famous theSecond City,joining in 1986.

In 1988, while a nurse, Hunt auditioned on her lunch break for the role of waitress Sally Dibbs inRain Manand won it.[6]

Career

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Hunt in 1996

In 1990, Hunt portrayed Carol Anne Smithson inGrand.She refused to become a cast member ofSaturday Night Livebecause the series' producers generally frowned on her preferred improvisational style. In 1992, she was offered the part of B.J. Poteet, a replacement forJulia Duffy,onDesigning Women.[7]Instead, she chose to co-star inDavis Rules.

In 1993, Hunt teamed with good friendDavid Lettermanto produceThe Building.The series was also filmed live; mistakes, accidents, and forgotten lines were often left in the aired episode.[citation needed]In 1995, Hunt and Letterman reteamed forThe Bonnie Hunt Show(later retitledBonnie), which featured many of the same cast members asThe Buildingand the same loose style. The show was praised by critics but was canceled after 11 of the 13 episodes produced were aired. In 2002, Hunt returned to television withLife with Bonnie.Her role on the series earned her a 2004Emmynomination (which was her first). Despite fair ratings, the series was canceled in its second season. Hunt announced onLive with Regis and Kellythat ABC had offered her another sitcom, in which she would have portrayed a divorced detective. This pilot titledLet Go(also known asCrimes and Dating) was not picked up for the fall 2006 schedule.

She directed, co-wrote, and co-starred inReturn to Me.It was filmed in her Chicago neighborhood and included bit parts for a number of her relatives. The film, which received a positive reception from critics,[8]was largely influenced by Hunt's blue-collar Catholic upbringing in Chicago.[9]

Hunt portrayed Alice Newton inBeethovenandBeethoven's 2nd,Sarah Whittle/Madam Serena inJumanji,and Kate Baker inCheaper by the DozenandCheaper by the Dozen 2.She portrayed the sister of Renée Zellweger's character inJerry Maguireand Jan Edgecomb inThe Green Mile.She portrayed Grace Bellamy inLoggerheads.She has provided her voice for a total of eightPixarfilms:A Bug's Lifeas Rosie,Monsters, Inc.as Ms. Flint,Cars,Cars 2,andCars 3asSally Carrera,Toy Story 3andToy Story 4as Dolly, andMonsters Universityas Karen Graves. In addition, Hunt voiced Bonnie Hopps in theWalt Disney Animation Studios' film,Zootopia,which marked her first non-Pixar animated film.

The Bonnie Hunt Show

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Hunt in 2006

In 2007, Hunt taped a pilot episode forTelepictures.The pilot was approved and the talk show was created.The Bonnie Hunt Showpremiered on Monday, September 8, 2008. The set design was a tribute toDean Martinand on the walls are pictures of historic television personalities, as well as Hunt's family members. The series was inspired by the format ofLive with Regis and Kelly,with the host and guests often interacting with the audience. Many of the series' staffers were longtime friends of Hunt from Chicago. The series typically started with an opening monologue followed by guest interviews and games played with the audience. Hunt's mother Alice often appeared inwebcastsfrom her home in Chicago.The Bonnie Hunt Showtaped in Culver City, California, and was viewed in 17 of the top 20 US television markets in the United States. In its first year,The Bonnie Hunt Showwas nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards, for opening theme, hairstyle, and makeup. It won the Gracie Award for "Outstanding Talk Show" in 2009. In 2010, Hunt was nominated for "Outstanding Talk Show Host" at the Daytime Emmy Awards. The final episode aired on May 26, 2010.

Personal life

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In 1988, Hunt married investment banker John Murphy.[10]The couple separated in 2006; their divorce was officially finalized in 2008.[11]

Hunt is a lifelongChicago Cubsfan, having not missed an opening day atWrigley Fieldsince 1977. She was in attendance inClevelandfor the Cubs' historic Game 7 victory during the2016 World Series.

Hunt is a supporter of theMultiple Myeloma Research Foundation,of which she is an honorary board member.[12]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 Rain Man Sally Dibbs (the waitress)
1992 Beethoven Alice Newton
1993 Dave White House Tour Guide
Beethoven's 2nd Alice Newton
1994 Only You Kate Corvatch
1995 Now and Then Mrs. DeWitt
Jumanji Sarah Whittle
1996 Getting Away with Murder Gail Holland
Jerry Maguire Laurel Boyd
1998 A Bug's Life Rosie (voice) [13]
Kissing a Fool Linda Streicher
1999 Random Hearts Wendy Judd
The Green Mile Jan Edgecomb
2000 Return to Me Megan Dayton Also director and co-writer
2001 Monsters, Inc. Ms. Flint (voice) [13]
2002 Stolen Summer Margaret O'Malley
2003 Cheaper by the Dozen Kate Baker
2005 Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Loggerheads Grace
2006 I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With Stella Lewis
Cars Sally Carrera(voice) [13]
2009 Hurricane Season Principal
2010 Toy Story 3 Dolly(voice) [13]
2011 Hawaiian Vacation Short film[13]
Cars 2 Sally Carrera (voice) [13]
2013 Monsters University Karen Graves (voice) [13]
2016 Zootopia Bonnie Hopps (voice) [14][13]
2017 Cars 3 Sally Carrera (voice) [15][13]
2019 Toy Story 4 Dolly (voice) [16][13]
2021 The Ultimate Playlist of Noise Dr. Lubinsky [17]
2024 Red One Mrs. Claus [18]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 American Playhouse Foxtrot Dancer Episode: "Under the Biltmore Clock"
1990 Grand Carol Anne Smithson Main role (26 episodes)
1991–92 Davis Rules Gwen Davis Main role (18 episodes)
1993 The Building Bonnie Kennedy Lead role; also creator, executive producer, writer
1995–96 Bonnie Bonnie Kelly Lead role; also co-creator, producer, writer
1997 Wheel of Fortune Herself Played alongside her mother Alice
1997 Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground Fern Vignette: "Fern's Heart of Darkness"
2002–04 Life with Bonnie Bonnie Molloy Lead role; also co-creator, director, executive producer, writer
2006 Let Go Kate Holloway Unsold ABC pilot; lead role, also director, executive producer, writer
2008–10 The Bonnie Hunt Show Herself / Host Also executive producer, writer
2010 The Life & Times of Tim Gabe's Mother (voice) 2 episodes
2013–18 Sofia the First Aunt Tilly (voice) Recurring role (7 episodes)[13]
2013 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film TV film; Director of "Eddie"segment
2014 Cars Toons: Tales From Radiator Springs Sally Carrera (voice) 3 episodes
2018 Escape at Dannemora Catherine Leahy Scott Miniseries (7 episodes)[19]
2019 Forky Asks a Question Dolly (voice) Episode: "What Is a Leader?"[13]
2021 Monsters at Work Ms. Flint (voice) 6 episodes[13][20]
2022 Amber Brown Creator, director, executive producer, writer[21]
Cars on the Road Sally Carrera (voice) Episode: "Dino Park"[13]
Zootopia+ Bonnie Hopps (voice) Episode: "Hopp on Board"[13][22][23]

Video games

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Year Title Voice role
1998 A Bug's Life Rosie[13]
2006 Cars Sally Carrera
2010 Toy Story 3: The Video Game Dolly

Theme park attractions

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Year Title Role
2012 Radiator Springs Racers Sally Carrera

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominated work Award Result
1995 Jumanji Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress Won
1996 Bonnie Viewers for Quality TelevisionFounder's Award Won
1999 The Green Mile Blockbuster Entertainment Awardfor Favorite Supporting Actress – Drama Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
2003 Life with Bonnie TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
2004 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
2010 The Bonnie Hunt Show Daytime Emmy Awardfor Outstanding Talk Show Host Nominated

References

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  1. ^"About Bonnie Hunt (1961– )".MovieActors.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 26, 2012.RetrievedOctober 22,2010.
  2. ^ "Bonnie Hunt Biography".Film Reference.RetrievedAugust 12,2010.
  3. ^Bonnie Hunt, host;Jared Padalecki,guest (February 10, 2009). "Episode".The Bonnie Hunt Show.
  4. ^Grahnke, Lon (April 14, 1992)."Hunt draws on improv talents for 'Davis' role".Chicago Sun-Times.p. 43.RetrievedAugust 12,2010.
  5. ^"Genealogy Report: Descendants of Joannis Backes".Family Tree Maker.RetrievedFebruary 17,2012.
  6. ^abcReiss, Dawn (April 17, 2009)."Teaming Up with Bonnie Hunt".The Saturday Evening Post.
  7. ^Collins, Scott (August 31, 2008)."Hunt ready to take on daytime".Chicago Tribune.p. 10. Archived fromthe originalon November 5, 2012.RetrievedAugust 12,2010.
  8. ^"Return to Me".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedOctober 5,2011.
  9. ^Stack, Peter (April 2, 2000)."Hunt's Full Heart".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedOctober 5,2011.
  10. ^"True blue Bonnie Hunt".Tampa Bay Times.April 28, 2000.RetrievedDecember 15,2023.
  11. ^"Bonnie Hunt - Bio, Ex-Husband, Divorce and Reason for Divorce".Naija News. July 21, 2022.RetrievedDecember 15,2023.
  12. ^"Honorary Board".Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2010.RetrievedAugust 12,2010.
  13. ^abcdefghijklmnop"Bonnie Hunt (visual voices guide)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  14. ^Pedersen, Erik (October 27, 2015)."Disney'sZootopiaCages Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer & Others ".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  15. ^Alexander, Bryan (May 30, 2016)."Sneak peek: 'Cars 3' zooms ahead with new character Cruz Ramirez".USA Today.RetrievedJanuary 26,2024.
  16. ^Masquini, Maria (November 12, 2018)."Toy Story 4:The Gang's All Back in First Trailer — Plus a Mysterious New Character! ".People.Archived fromthe originalon January 4, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  17. ^Loftus, Johnny (January 15, 2021)."Ultimate Playlist of NoiseHulu Review: Stream It or Skip It? ".Decider.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  18. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 7, 2022)."Dwayne Johnson-Led Holiday Film Starts Production; Adds J.K. Simmons & Bonnie Hunt To Cast".Deadline.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  19. ^Harnick, Chris (November 18, 2018)."Why Bonnie Hunt Returned to TV for Escape at Dannemora".E! Online.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  20. ^Holub, Christian (March 17, 2021)."Meet theMonsters At Workcrew in exclusive first look at new Disney+ series ".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  21. ^Otterson, Joe (September 28, 2021)."Bonnie Hunt SetsAmber BrownSeries at Apple, Carsyn Rose and Sarah Drew to Star ".Variety.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  22. ^Davis, Victoria (November 9, 2022)."Zootopia+Revisits a Smiling Sloth, Con-Artist Weasel, and Other Colorful Characters ".Animation World Network.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
  23. ^Navarro, Alexander (November 9, 2022)."Zootopia+Review: A Wonderful Step Back into Disney's Animal Metropolis ".MovieWeb.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.
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