Kristen Angela Johnston(born September 20, 1967)[2]is an American actress. Best known for her work on television sitcoms, she twice won thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Seriesfor her role asSally Solomonin3rd Rock from the Sun.She starred as divorce attorney Holly Franklin onThe Exes,and as recovering addict Tammy Diffendorf onMom.She has also appeared in the filmsAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me(1999),The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas(2000),Music and Lyrics(2007), andBride Wars(2009).
Kristen Johnston | |
---|---|
Born | Kristen Angela Johnston September 20, 1967 Washington, D.C.,U.S. |
Education | New York University |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1985–present |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] |
Her memoirGuts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster(2012) was aNew York Timesbest-seller.[3]Through hernonprofit organizationSLAM, she works as an advocate for sober high schools.[4]
Early life
editKristen Angela Johnston was born on September 20, 1967. Johnston is the daughter of former WisconsinRepublicanstate senatorRod Johnston.She is ofEnglishandGermandescent.[5]She grew up in a suburb ofMilwaukee,Wisconsin and graduated fromWhitefish Bay High Schoolin 1985.[6][7]Johnston earned aBachelor of Fine Artsdegree in drama atNew York University.[8]
Career
editJohnston made her professional stage debut with New York'sAtlantic Theater Company,founded by playwrightDavid Mamet,where she appeared in many productions includingAs You Like ItandStage Door.She performed with theNaked Angels Theater CompanyinThe Stand-InandHot Keys,and withNew York Stage and FilminKim's SisterwithDavid StrathairnandJane Adams.For her performance inThe LightsatLincoln Center Theater,she was nominated for aDrama Desk Awardfor Best Supporting Actress.[9]
ACarsey-Wernercasting agent who saw her inThe Lightsrecommended her for the role of Sally Solomon on the TV series3rd Rock from the Sun.[10]After numerous auditions in 1996, she won the part[10]and starred on the show from 1996 to 2001, winning twoEmmy AwardsforOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.[11]
She made her feature film debut inThe Debt,winner of Best Short at the 1993Cannes Film Festival.In 1995, she played Kate in the filmBackfire!She played Esmeralda, a sea hag inThrill Ride,a family friendly film released in 2016. Her other television credits include guest-starring roles onChicago Hope,Hearts Afire,andThe 5 Mrs. Buchanans.She narratedMicroscopic Miltonon theDisney Channel.Her significant roles in commercially successful movies includeAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Mein 1999,The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegasin 2000,Music and Lyricsin 2007, andBride Warsin 2009. In 1998, she was a spokesmodel for theClairolcompany.
Johnston appeared in the sixth and final season ofHBO'scomedy dramaseriesSex and the City.[12]In the "Splat!"episode, her character, Lexi Featherston, an aging party girl, accidentally falls out of a window and dies (after saying," I'm so bored I could die "), promptingCarrie Bradshaw(played bySarah Jessica Parker) to reexamine her life. In 2005, Johnston was featured in six episodes ofNBC'sER.In 2009, she was cast as Patsy in a proposed American remake of the British TV seriesAbsolutely Fabulous.A pilot was filmed but it wasn't picked up to series.[13][14]She had a recurring role in the 2009 season ofUgly Betty,and had a single-episode appearance as adominatrixin thesecond season openerofBored to Death.[15][16]
She starred in theTV LandsitcomThe Exes,which ran for four seasons from November 30, 2011 to September 16, 2015. She played divorce attorney Holly Franklin, whose former clients and friends live across the hall in an apartment she owns.[17]Hermemoir,titledGuts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disasterwas published on March 12, 2012 byGallery Books.[18]The book became aNew York Timesbest-seller.[3]
In 2018, she began a recurring role as Tammy Diffendorf on theCBSsitcomMom,and was upgraded to series regular for the show's seventh and eighth seasons (2019–2020).[19]Her character Tammy is Bonnie's (portrayed byAllison Janney) foster sister and Tammy joins the group'sAAmeetings upon being released from prison in season 6.[20]In an interview withThe New York Post,Johnston described Tammy by saying: "She’s probably the dumbest smart person you’ll ever meet. She’s so many things at once. She’s a criminal, but she’s also innocent. She’s clumsy but also very sophisticated. She has no editing button and just says whatever she feels — and it’s usually the wrong thing."[21]
In May 2024,Varietyannounced that Johnston was cast inNetflix's upcomingcomedy seriesalongsideLeanne Morgan.[22]The series was created by Morgan, Susan McMartin andChuck Lorre.[22]Johnston is set to play Carol, who is twice divorced and is loyal to her sister, Leanne.[22][23]
Public image
editShe appeared on the cover of January 1998 issue ofMilwaukee Magazine.She topped the magazine's list of "The Most Intriguing Milwaukeeans".[24]Johnston has also appeared on the cover ofEntertainment WeeklyandTV Guide.[25]In 1998, she appeared in atelevision commercialforClairolhair careproducts and voiced a commercial forStarbucks.[26]
Philanthropy and advocacy
editThrough her nonprofit organization SLAM (Sobriety, Learning and Motivation), she mentors high school girls from New York City with addiction and self-esteem issues[27]and has campaigned for the city to build a recovery high school.[28][4]
Personal life
editShe dated actorRyan Reynoldsin 1999 and the two attended thefilm premiereofThe Green Miletogether.[29]
In her memoir, Johnston discusses an addiction to alcohol and pills that began when she was in high school. She wrote that at the height of her addiction, she drank on average two bottles of wine per evening.[30]In 2021, Johnston said she has been sober for 14 years.[31]
Johnston said she was diagnosed in November 2013 with lupus, which caused her to miss filming some episodes of her seriesThe Exes.A character played byLeah Reminiwas introduced in season 3 to cover her absence.[32][33]
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | The Orkly Kid | Unknown | Short film |
1992 | Amazonia | Unknown | |
1993 | The Debt | Alice Kosnick | |
1995 | Backfire! | Kate | |
1999 | Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me | Ivana Humpalot | |
2000 | The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas | Wilma Slaghoople | |
2002 | Austin Powers in Goldmember | Dancer | Uncredited |
2005 | Strangers with Candy | Coach Divers | |
2007 | Music and Lyrics | Rhonda | |
2009 | Bride Wars | Deb | |
Finding Bliss | Irene Fox | ||
2011 | Life Happens | Francesca | |
2012 | Vamps | Mrs. Van Helsing | |
Bad Parents | Tracy | ||
2013 | The Anonymous People | Herself | Documentary film |
2014 | Lovesick | Katherine | |
2016 | Thrill Ride | Esmeralda | Nominated–North Hollywood Cinefest's Festival Award for Best Actress in a Feature Film |
2018 | Swiped | Professor Barnes | |
For the Love of George | Psychic Sara | Nominated–Orlando Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Performance | |
Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia with Hate | Roksana | ||
2019 | The Wedding Year | Barbara | |
2020 | Small Town Wisconsin | Alicia | |
2023 | Loganberry Lane | Other Susan | Short film
Indie Short Fest's December Award for Best Ensemble Cast(shared with cast) Nominated–Indie Short Fest's Indie Short Fest Award for Best Ensemble Cast(shared with cast) |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | Chicago Hope | Dr. Wendy Smythe | Episode: "Genevieve and Fat Boy" |
1994 | The 5 Mrs. Buchanans | Zena | Episode: "Bad News Bert: There's Peanuts in the Peanut Butter" |
1995 | Hearts Afire | Margot | Episode: "John and Georgie's Not-So-Excellent Adventure" |
1996 | London Suite | Grace Chapman | Television film |
1996–2001 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Sally Solomon | 139 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series(1997, 1999) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series(1998) Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or TV Film(1997) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series(1997) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series(1997—1999) |
1997 | Microscopic Milton | Narrator | Television film |
1998–2000 | Hollywood Squares | Herself | Panelist; 10 episodes |
2004 | Sex and the City | Lexi Featherston | Episode: "Splat!" |
2005 | ER | Head Nurse Eve Peyton | 6 episodes |
2007 | Kim Possible | Warmonga | 3 episodes |
2009 | The New Adventures of Old Christine | Francie | Episode: "Too Close for Christine" |
Ab Fab | Patsy | US remake ofAbsolutely Fabulous.Pilot episode only. Series not picked up.[13][14] | |
2009–2010 | Ugly Betty | Helen | 3 episodes |
2010 | Bored to Death | Mistress Florence | Episode: "Escape from the Dungeon!" |
2011–2015 | The Exes | Holly Franklin | Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy or Musical
Main role; 64 episodes |
2013 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Herself | 2 episodes |
2014 | Kirstie | Waitress Maddie | Episode: "Maddie vs. Maddie" |
Modern Family | Brenda | Episode: "Strangers in the Night" | |
2015 | Getting On | Marla Pounder | Episode: "Please Partake of a Memorial Orange" |
2017 | Daytime Divas | Anna Crouse | 6 episodes |
2018–2021 | Mom | Tammy Diffendorf | 57 episodes Guest: Season 5; Recurring: Season 6; Main: Seasons 7–8 |
2019 | Amphibia | Braddock (voice) | Episode: "Prison Break"; replaced byApril Winchellafterwards |
2022 | Our Flag Means Death | The Widow Evelyn Higgins | 2 episodes |
2023 | The Righteous Gemstones | May–May Montgomery | 9 episodes[34] |
TBA | TBA | Carol | UpcomingNetflixseries (an untitledLeanne Morganproject fromChuck LorreProductions, Inc. in association withWarner Bros.Television[35]) |
Podcasts
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | The Pack Project | Veronica | Voice; Episode: "Elevator Bride" |
2022 | Marvel's Wastelanders: Doom | She-Hulk | 10 episodes |
2022 | Naughty | Pam | 5 episodes |
Stage
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | The Lights | Rose | Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play |
1997 | Baby Anger | Mary Kay Paterson[36] | |
1998 | The Skin of Our Teeth | Sabina[37] | |
2001 | The Smell of the Kill | Nicky[38] | |
2001–2002 | The Women | Sylvia | |
2002 | Twelfth Night | Maria[39] | |
2004 | Aunt Dan and Lemon | Aunt Dan | |
The Baltimore Waltz | Anna | ||
Much Ado About Nothing | Beatrice | ||
The Skin of Our Teeth | Sabina | ||
2007 | Scarcity | Martha | |
2006–2007 | Love Song | Joan[40] | |
2007–2009 | So Help Me God | Lily Darnley | Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play(2007, 2010) |
2008 | The Understudy | Theresea Rebeck |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | The Lights | Nominated | [41] |
1996 | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Nominated | [42] |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [43] | ||
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||||
1997 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Won | [44] | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [45] | ||
1998 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [44] | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [46] | ||
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Won | [44] | |
2010 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actress in a Play | So Help Me God! | Nominated | [41] |
Autobiography
edit- 2012:Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster,Gallery Books,ISBN978-1451635065
References
edit- ^Triggs, Charlotte (January 19, 2009)."Bride Wars' Kristen Johnston: 'I Was Way Too Thin'".People.Vol. 71. Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 5,2012.
- ^"Kristen Johnston: Biography".TVGuide.com.Retrieved2013-12-19.
- ^abJohnston, Kristen (2013-01-22).Guts.Simon and Schuster.ISBN978-1-4516-3506-5.
- ^ab"SLAM With Kristen Johnston".HuffPost.2012-03-05.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^Aikin, Jefferson J.; Fehring, Thomas H. (2017).Historic Whitefish Bay: A Celebration of Architecture and Character.Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing.ISBN9781467137591.
- ^"Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster by Kristen Johnston".www.publishersweekly.com.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^"Kristen Johnston - Biography".IMDb.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^"Kristen Johnston Biography".TV Guide.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
- ^"The 39th Annual Drama Desk Awards presented by The Drama Desk at the Criterion Center Stage Right, Jun 05, 1994 – 1994 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Play".ibdb.com.The Broadway League.Retrieved17 July2019.
- ^ab"Kristen Johnston".TVGuide.com.Retrieved2021-09-22.
- ^"Kristen Johnston – Television Academy – Awards & Nominations".emmys.com.Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.Retrieved17 July2019.
- ^"Kristen Johnston on drugs, recovery, and 'Guts'".EW.com.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^abJanuary 31, Tanner Stransky Updated; EST, 2009 at 10:01 PM."Kristen Johnston: The scoop on her 'Absolutely Fabulous' return to TV".EW.com.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^abBullard, Alexandra (January 7, 2023)."Long-lost AbFab American remake with Kathryn Hahn leaves Brits cringing".MyLondon.
- ^"'Ugly Betty' scoop: Kristen Johnston in, Paula Abdul out! ".ew.com (Entertainment Weekly).Meredith Corporation. 20 August 2009.Retrieved17 July2019.
- ^"Bored to Death S2 Ep 1: Escape From the Dungeon!".hbo.com.Home Box Office, Inc.Retrieved17 July2019.
- ^"'The Exes' sends '3rd Rock' co-stars Kristen Johnston and Wayne Knight on a date ".EW.com.Retrieved2024-07-25.
- ^Johnston, Kristen (2012-03-13).Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster.Gallery Books.ISBN978-1-4516-3505-8.
- ^Gelman, Vlada (July 18, 2019)."'Mom': Kristen Johnston Promoted to Series Regular for Season 7 ".TVLine.com.RetrievedOctober 14,2019.
- ^"Exclusive: 'Mom' brings back Kristen Johnston as Tammy the would-be steak thief".EW.com.Retrieved2024-07-25.
- ^"'Mom' scene-stealer Kristen Johnston: I'm not subtle ".2018-11-30.Retrieved2024-07-25.
- ^abcOtterson, Joe (2024-05-09)."Kristen Johnston Reunites With Chuck Lorre, Joins Leanne Morgan Netflix Comedy Series".Variety.Retrieved2024-07-25.
- ^Goldberg, Lesley (2024-05-09)."Kristen Johnston to Star Opposite Leanne Morgan in Netflix Comedy".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved2024-07-25.
- ^"Amazon.com: Milwaukee Magazine, vol. 23, no. 1 (January 1998) (Kristen Johnston cover (Third Rock from the Sun)): People of the Year Issue; Sheepshead; Planet Brett (Favre): Milwaukee Magazine: Home & Kitchen".www.amazon.com.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^"Kristen Johnston magazines".FamousFix.com.Retrieved2024-01-25.
- ^"Kristen Johnston - Other works".IMDb.Retrieved2024-01-25.
- ^Collins, Clark (March 10, 2012)."Kristen Johnston talks about her drug addiction, her life-threatening illness, her recovery, and her new memoir, 'Guts'".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedDecember 27,2013.
- ^Johnston, Kristen (July 19, 2013)."Turning Addiction Into a Sideshow".New York Times.Retrieved2014-02-13.
- ^"Kristen Johnston Fondly Recalls Dating Ryan Reynolds in the '90s: He's a 'Lovely Person'".Peoplemag.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^Napoli, Jessica (2021-03-10)."Kristen Johnston talks her sobriety after 'very abusive relationship' with drugs, alcohol".Fox News.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^"Kristen Johnston Says She 'Married' Drugs After 3rd Rock from the Sun Ended, Calls Addiction 'Very Abusive'".Peoplemag.Retrieved2024-01-24.
- ^Johnston, Kristen (December 17, 2013)."[Untitled]".Facebook.Archived fromthe originalon 2022-02-26.Retrieved2013-12-27.
- ^Blumm, K. C. (December 18, 2013)."Kristen Johnston Diagnosed with Lupus Myelitis".People.Retrieved2013-12-27.
- ^Schager, Nick (14 June 2023)."'The Righteous Gemstones' Is the Perfect Replacement for 'Succession' in Your Life ".The Daily Beast.Retrieved19 June2023.
- ^Cordero, Rosy (9 May 2024)."Kristen Johnston Boards Netflix's Chuck Lorre & Leanne Morgan Comedy Series".Deadline.Retrieved3 September2024.
- ^"Kristen Johnston Takes a Baby Break from 3rd Rock".Playbill.1997-06-09.Retrieved2021-01-11.
- ^Isherwood, Charles (1998-06-29)."The Skin of Our Teeth".Variety.Retrieved2021-01-11.
- ^Taylor, Markland (2001-08-03)."The Smell of the Kill".Variety.Retrieved2021-01-11.
- ^"Kristen Johnston Joins Stiles in Central Park Twelfth Night".Playbill.2002-04-26.Retrieved2021-01-11.
- ^"Molly Regan Steps in for Ailing Kristen Johnston in London Love Song".broadway.com.
- ^ab"Kristen Johnston Awards".IBDB.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"Kristen Johnston".Golden Globe Awards.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"The 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^abc"Kristen Johnston".Television Academy.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"The 4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"The 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards".sagawards.org.Retrieved8 April2021.
External links
edit- Kristen Johnstonat theInternet Broadway Database
- Kristen JohnstonatIMDb
- 2006 Interview with Johnston on Theatre.com
- Kristen JohnstonDownstage CenterinterviewAmerican Theatre Wing, October 2007