Merrin Dungey

Merrin Dungey (born August 6, 1971) is an American film and television actress, best known for her roles on the television series The King of Queens, Alias and Summerland.

Biography

Early life

Dungey was born in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Don Dungey, a general services manager.^[1] 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 School in Sacramento, California. She earned a degree of Bachelor of Arts from UCLA. She was the youngest recipient of the UCLA Acting Award.^[2] Merrin Dungey has one sister, Channing Dungey, who is also deeply involved in the film industry. Channing Dungey has worked for various studios including Steven Seagal's Steamroller Productions, Warner Bros. Productions, and is currently Senior VP of Drama Development at ABC Entertainment.

Career

Dungey had small roles in Hollywood films such as EDtv and Deep Impact and on television series such as Martin before landing what arguably is her best known role, that of Kelly Palmer on the CBS television series The King of Queens (which she played from 1998 to 2007). She appeared in at least one episode of every season in the series except for the 2002 season.^[3]

Dungey is also well known for her role as Francie Calfo on the drama series Alias, on which she starred from 2001 to 2003 and reprised in a surprise appearance in the series finale episode All the Time in the World. She also had a recurring role on the FOX sitcom Malcolm in the Middle as Stevie's mother, Kitty Kernaban. Notably, Dungey was at one point appearing in all three television series at the same time.

Dungey then portrayed Susannah in the WB drama series Summerland from 2004 to 2005.

Dungey has guest starred on various TV series including Living Single, ER, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Friends, The West Wing, Babylon 5 and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Dungey appeared in the initial two-hour preview special of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice but was replaced by actress Audra McDonald for the actual series.^[4]

Most recently, Dungey guest-starred on the ABC sitcom's Surviving Suburbia starring Bob Saget, Better Off Ted starring Portia de Rossi, Castle starring Nathan Fillion and HBO's Hung starring Thomas Jane.^[5]

Filmography

Television

• Hung (2010)
• Castle (2010)
• Better Off Ted (2010)
• Surviving Suburbia (2009)
• Grey's Anatomy (2007)
• Boston Legal (2007)
• Alias (cast member, 2001–2003)
• Summerland (cast member, 2004–2005)
• Malcolm in the Middle (recurring, 2000–2004)
• Curb Your Enthusiasm (2001)
• Grosse Pointe (recurring, 2000–2001)
• Friends (2000)
• G vs E (1999)
• The West Wing (1999)
• The King of Queens (cast member, 1998–2007)
• Seinfeld (1998)
• Murphy Brown (1997)
• ER (1997)
• Party Girl (1996)
• Living Single (1996)
• Babylon 5 (1996)
• Martin (1995)

Private Practice

Films

• The Sky Is Falling (2000)
• EDtv (1999)
• Deep Impact (1999)

References

External links

• Merrin Dungey at the Internet Movie Database
• PopGurls 20 Questions with Merrin Dungey