Who is Kathy Griffin? Everything You Need to Know (2024)

American People

American Women

Female Comedians

Scorpio Actresses

American Actresses

Kathleen Mary Griffin was born to John Patrick Griffin and Mary Margaret in Oak Park, Illinois. She studied at the St. Bernadine's Elementary School.

She later went to the Oak Park and River Forest High School, where she enthusiastically became a part of the school’s musical theatre group. During this time, her love for acting flourished and she aspired to be an actress.

By the time she was eighteen, her family relocated to Los Angeles in order to help her gain more opportunities in the field of acting.

American Comedians

Actresses Who Are In Their 60s

Her first appearance on television was in a minor role in the Chicago White Sox commercial, which is a Major league baseball team. She later signed up with a number of talent agencies in Chicago.

In the early 1980s, she became a part of the improvisational and sketch comedy group called, ‘The Groundlings’. During this period she struggled to make it big and failed in auditions.

In 1980, she played the role of an ‘alien extra’ in the science fiction film, ‘Battle Beyond the Stars’, which was directed by Jimmy T. Murakami. The film did not do much for her career as she was not noticed.

She was seen in the comedy TV show, ‘On the Television’ (1989), which was a satirical and critical television show. She appeared in the episode titled, ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

In 1991, she played the role of ‘Connie’ in the horror film, ‘The Unborn’, based on a story revolving around a married couple. The film was directed by Rodman Flender.

She was seen in the Quentin Tarantino film, ‘Pulp Fiction’ in 1994, in which she played the part of a hit-and-run witness. The film received immense positive reviews.

In 1995, she played the role of ‘Dolores Minky’ in the episode, ‘Motherhood’ of the American television drama series, ‘ER’. The series was created by Michael Crichton.

In 1996, she appeared in two episodes of the ‘Saturday Night Special’ and the same year she was seen in the American animated TV series, ‘Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist’.

In 2000, she was seen in the episode, ‘Fight Club’, from the science fiction-horror drama series titled, ‘The X-Files’. The series was created by Chris Carter.

In 2002, she played herself in the comedy film, ‘Run Ronnie Run’, which was based on the HBO show ‘Mr Show’. The film was directed by Troy Miller and received good reviews from critics.

She played the role of ‘Kathy’, in the episode titled ‘The Eagle Has Landed’ (2002), from the ABC sitcom ‘The Drew Carey Show’. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 2005, she played the role of ‘Madame Belly’ in the film, ‘Dirty Love’, which was directed by John Mallory Asher. The film was a critical failure and received negative reviews.

On August 3, 2005, she came out with her own reality TV show titled, ‘Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List’, which depicted her struggle and experiences to achieve success in Hollywood.

In 2008, she came out with the comedy album ‘For Your Consideration’, which was her first audio only release. The album received a Grammy Award nomination.

On November 3, 2009 she released her Grammy Award nominated comedy album, ‘Suckin' It for the Holidays’. The album featured the tracks, ‘Happy Kwaanza’ and ‘Congratulations’.

In 2010, she was seen in the documentary film, ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work’, which was based on the life of comedian, Joan Rivers. The film was also screened at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

In 2011, she was the guest judge for the season 17, episode seven of the American reality television show, ‘America's Next Top Model’. The show was created by model, Tyra Banks.

In 2012, she began to host the late night talk show, ‘Kathy’, in which she performs many stand-up-comedy acts. The show is directed by Lenn Goodside.

Her audio album ‘For Your Consideration’ reached the 85th position on the U.S. Billboard 200, which made it one of the highest ranked albums by a female comedian, since 1983. The album also reached the No.1 position on the U.S. Top Comedy Albums.

‘Suckin' It for the Holidays’, her audio album, reached the No.4 position on the U.S. Top Comedy Albums chart. The album also received a Grammy Award nomination.

In 2007 and 2008, she was the recipient of the Primetime Emmy in the ‘Outstanding Reality Program’ for the show ‘Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List’.

In 2013, she won the Grammy Award for her album 'Calm Down Gurrl'

In 2001, she married Matt Moline in Hollywood. Unfortunately, the marriage ended in a divorce in 2006.

In 2007, she began a romantic relation with Steve Wozniak, who is the co-founder of ‘Apple Inc.’.

In 2009, she came out with her autobiographical book titled, ‘Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin’. The book was featured on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Kathy Griffin is an avid animal lover and has three rescue dogs named Larry, Pom Pom, and Cha Cha.

She is a skilled impersonator and can do spot-on impressions of celebrities like Celine Dion and Kris Jenner.

Kathy Griffin is a proud LGBTQ advocate and has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights throughout her career.

She has won two Emmy Awards for her reality TV show "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List."

Kathy Griffin is known for her quick wit and sharp sense of humor, often using comedy as a way to address social and political issues.