Kathy Najimy Biography: Net Worth, Age, Children, Husband, Movies, Religion, TV Shows, Ethnicity

Biography

Kathy Ann Najimy (born February 6, 1957) is a celebrated American actress, comedian, writer, director, producer, and activist of Lebanese descent.

She rose to prominence in the 1980s, co-creating and performing in the feminist comedy show The Kathy and Mo Show with Mo Gaffney, which led to acclaimed Off-Broadway runs and two HBO specials.

Najimy is best known for her film roles as the enthusiastic nun Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act (1992) and its sequel, and as the witch Mary Sanderson in Disney’s cult classic Hocus Pocus (1993), a role she reprised in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022).

She voiced Peggy Hill on the long-running animated series King of the Hill (1997–2010) and has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Veronica’s Closet, Veep, and WALL-E.

A dedicated advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, animal rights, and reproductive rights, Najimy is married to actor/singer Dan Finnerty and has one daughter, Samia Finnerty.

American actress
Kathy Najimy
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Kathy Ann Najimy
Stage Name:	Kathy Najimy
Born:	6 February 1957 (age 68 years old)
Place of Birth:	San Diego, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Crawford High School, San Diego State University
Height:	1.68 m
Parents:	Samia Massery, Fred Najimy
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Dan Finnerty (m. 1998)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Samia Finnerty
Occupation:	Actress • Comedian
Net Worth:	$8 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Kathy Ann Najimy was born on February 6, 1957, in San Diego, California. She is of Lebanese ethnicity, born to Lebanese-American parents.

Her mother, Samia Massery (1928–2015), immigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1946, while her father, Fred Najimy (1919–1971), was a postal worker whose parents were Lebanese immigrants (he was born in Massachusetts).

Najimy was raised in a Maronite Catholic household (a branch of Catholicism common among Lebanese Christians), which influenced her early worldview. However, she has since described her personal spirituality as more individualized.

Her father died when she was 14 years old. Reliable sources do not publicly detail any siblings, suggesting she may have been an only child or that information about brothers/sisters is not widely documented.

For education, Najimy attended Crawford High School in San Diego. There is some inconsistency in sources regarding higher education—one mentions graduating from San Diego State University (likely with a degree in theater).

In contrast, others indicate that she pursued acting professionally without completing or attending college. She began performing early, including folk music and sketches during her late teens/early adulthood.

Career

Kathy Najimy has built a multifaceted career spanning more than forty years, working across theater, film, television, voice acting, writing, directing, and producing, with comedy and social activism often intertwined at its core.

She emerged professionally in the 1980s as one half of the feminist comedy duo Kathy and Mo, which she co-created and performed with Mo Gaffney.

Their Off-Broadway productions, including The Kathy and Mo Show: Parallel Lives and The Dark Side, earned Obie Awards and were later adapted into two successful HBO specials in 1991 and 1995. These projects brought Najimy national attention for her incisive, character-driven humor and socially conscious storytelling.

Najimy transitioned to film in the early 1990s, quickly becoming a recognizable supporting presence in projects such as The Hard Way (1991), Soapdish (1991), and Terry Gilliam’s The Fisher King (1991). Her mainstream breakthrough arrived in 1992 with her role as the exuberant Sister Mary Patrick in the blockbuster comedy Sister Act, a performance she reprised in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993).

That same period cemented her cult status with her portrayal of Mary Sanderson, the warm-hearted and scatterbrained witch in Disney’s Hocus Pocus (1993), alongside Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker. Nearly three decades later, she returned to the role in Hocus Pocus 2 (2022), introducing the character to a new generation of viewers.

Voice acting became one of the defining pillars of Najimy’s career through her long-running role as Peggy Hill on Mike Judge’s animated series King of the Hill (1997–2010). Her performance as the outspoken and frequently misguided substitute teacher earned widespread acclaim, and she has continued in the role in the Hulu revival, which began in 2025. Additional voice credits include Pixar’s WALL-E (2008), as well as series such as Duncanville and Blaze and the Monster Machines.

On television, Najimy also starred as Olive Massery on the sitcom Veronica’s Closet (1997–2000) and appeared in a recurring role as Wendy Keegan on HBO’s Veep (2012–2019).

Her broader screen work includes films such as Rat Race (2001) and guest appearances on shows including Chicago Hope, Numb3rs, and Unforgettable. Alongside acting, she has directed stage productions and remained active behind the scenes as a producer and creative collaborator.

Najimy continues to work across multiple mediums while maintaining a visible presence at conventions, panels, and advocacy-focused events. Her career reflects a rare combination of longevity, versatility, and a sustained commitment to using entertainment as a platform for humor, inclusivity, and social engagement.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Kathy Najimy
• IMDb: Kathy Najimy
• Facebook: Kathy Najimy
• Instagram: Kathy Najimy (@kathynajimy)

Personal Life

Kathy Najimy is 68 years old, born on February 6, 1957.

She stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall. Najimy has been married once, to actor, comedian, and singer Dan Finnerty (known for leading the comedic cover band The Dan Band), since August 8, 1995 (some sources cite 1998, but the majority confirm 1995).

The ceremony was officiated by feminist icon Gloria Steinem. The couple has maintained a long, supportive marriage with no public indications of separation.

They have one child: a daughter, Samia Najimy Finnerty (born December 1996), who is a singer-songwriter and actress.

Net Worth

Kathy Najimy‘s net worth is estimated at $8 million.

This figure comes primarily from her long career in acting, including iconic film roles in Sister Act and Hocus Pocus (plus its 2022 sequel), voice work as Peggy Hill on King of the Hill (1997–2010 and the ongoing revival), television appearances on shows like Veronica’s Closet and Veep, and various theater, directing, and producing projects.

Celebrity financial estimates are approximate and vary slightly across sources, but $8 million is the most consistently reported amount from reliable outlets.

Filmography

Theater and Early Work

• Co-creator and performer in the feminist comedy duo Kathy and Mo with Mo Gaffney (1980s–1990s), including Off-Broadway shows The Kathy and Mo Show: Parallel Lives and The Dark Side (Obie Award winners).
• HBO specials: Kathy & Mo: Parallel Lives (1991) and Kathy & Mo: The Dark Side (1995). Promotional portrait of Kathy Najimy from her early career.

Notable Film Roles

• The Hard Way (1991)
• Soapdish (1991)
• The Fisher King (1991)
• This Is My Life (1992)
• Sister Act (1992) as Sister Mary Patrick. Poster for Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
• Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) as Sister Mary Patrick. Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act.
• Hocus Pocus (1993) as Mary Sanderson. Classic Hocus Pocus movie poster featuring Najimy as Mary Sanderson. Spanish-style poster for the original Hocus Pocus. Promotional image for live screenings of Hocus Pocus.
• In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994, TV movie)
• Jeffrey (1995)
• Nevada (1997)
• Hope Floats (1998)
• The Wedding Planner (2001)
• Rat Race (2001)
• Say Uncle (2005)
• Bam Bam and Celeste (2005)
• WALL-E (2008, voice of Mary)
• Step Up 3D (2010)
• The Guilt Trip (2012)
• A Madea Christmas (2013)
• Dumplin’ (2018)
• Single All the Way (2021)
• Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) as Mary Sanderson. Promotional image from Hocus Pocus 2.
• Upcoming: Hoppers (voice role)

Television Highlights

• Recurring roles on Chicago Hope, Ellen, Numb3rs, Unforgettable, and The Big C.
• Veronica’s Closet (1997–2000) as Olive Massery.
• King of the Hill (1997–2010, revival 2025–present) as voice of Peggy Hill.
• Veep (2014–2019) as Wendy Keegan.
• Voice work in animated series including Duncanville, Blaze and the Monster Machines.

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