You know the face. You definitely know the voice. Whether she’s riding a vacuum cleaner in a cult classic or correcting your Spanish grammar as a substitute teacher in Arlen, Texas, Kathy Najimy is one of those rare performers who feels like your best friend and your most eccentric aunt all at once. Most people immediately go to the big-screen witches and singing nuns when they think of her, but if you look at the Kathy Najimy TV shows catalog, you’ll realize she’s been the secret sauce in some of the most influential television of the last thirty years.
Honestly, she’s everywhere. And she’s usually the best part of whatever scene she's in.
From the late 1980s until now, Najimy has quietly built a resume that spans prestige HBO dramas, gritty procedurals, and the kind of adult animation that defines an entire generation. She isn't just a character actress; she's a vibe.
The Peggy Hill Factor: A Voice That Changed Animation
It’s impossible to talk about the most iconic Kathy Najimy TV shows without starting with the matriarch of Arlen. For thirteen years, Najimy voiced Peggy Hill on King of the Hill. Think about that for a second. That is over 250 episodes of "Ho yeah!" and questionable boggle strategies.
Peggy is a polarizing character, which is exactly why she works. She’s arrogant, socially oblivious, and fiercely protective of her family. Najimy brought a specific nasal confidence to that role that made Peggy feel like a real person you’d meet at a PTA meeting—the kind of person who is 100% wrong about a fact but will argue until the sun goes down that they’re right. Najimy actually grew up playing Boggle, so when she found out Peggy was a Boggle champion, it was basically fate.
Interestingly, the show is currently seeing a massive resurgence. With a revival in the works for 2025 and 2026, a whole new generation is discovering Peggy’s unique brand of "suburban confidence."
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Beyond the Animation: The Sitcom Era and Recurring Gems
While Peggy Hill was her steady gig, Najimy was a constant presence in live-action television. You might remember her as Olive Massery on Veronica’s Closet. Starring alongside Kirstie Alley, Najimy played the loyal, slightly neurotic best friend/assistant. It was classic 90s sitcom energy, and it ran for 67 episodes, proving she could hold down a major network series just as well as she could a voice booth.
But here is where it gets interesting for the die-hard fans. Najimy doesn't just do the "funny sidekick" thing. Have you seen her in Chicago Hope? In the mid-90s, she had a recurring role as Dr. Barbara "Bix" Konstadt. It was a dramatic turn that most people didn't expect from the woman who just played a singing nun in Sister Act.
She has a knack for showing up in your favorite shows exactly when they need a jolt of energy.
- Veep: She played Wendy Keegan, the wife of Mike McLintock. Watching her navigate the cynical, fast-talking world of Selina Meyer’s Washington D.C. was a masterclass in deadpan comedy.
- Younger: As Lauren’s mom, Denise Heller, she brought a perfect "cool New York mom" energy that felt grounded and hilarious.
- The Big C: She jumped into the fourth season of this Laura Linney dramedy, showing off those dramatic chops again.
- Unforgettable: She wasn't just a guest star here; she was a series regular in season four, playing Captain Sandra Russo.
The Feminist Roots: The Kathy & Mo Show
Before she was a household name, Najimy was busy changing the landscape of sketch comedy. If you haven't seen The Kathy & Mo Show, you're missing the foundation of her entire career. Partnering with Mo Gaffney, these two created feminist, socially conscious comedy specials for HBO like Parallel Lives and The Dark Side.
They were tackling gender roles, religion, and social justice long before it was "on trend." These specials are raw, funny, and deeply human. They weren't just funny; they were essential viewing for anyone interested in how comedy can be used as a tool for activism. This wasn't some polished, corporate-approved variety hour. It was two women on a stage with minimal props, speaking truths that still feel relevant in 2026.
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Why She’s the Ultimate Guest Star
There is a specific phenomenon where a show is "Najimy-ed." It’s when a long-running series is starting to feel a little stale, and suddenly Kathy Najimy appears for a one-off episode to save the day.
Remember her on That's So Raven as the flamboyant Lora Stelladora? Or her turn as a detective on Desperate Housewives? She even popped up as an orthodontist on Ugly Betty. She’s one of the few actors who can walk onto a set where the cast has been together for years and instantly feel like she’s always been there.
She also has a massive footprint in kids' television that parents often overlook. From The Wild Thornberrys to American Dad! (as the recurring Barb Hanson), her voice is part of the fabric of modern television. She even played the Evil Queen in Disney’s Descendants, proving she can do "menacing" just as well as she does "maternal."
The Activism Behind the Credits
You can't really appreciate the range of Kathy Najimy TV shows without understanding who she is off-camera. She’s not just an actress; she’s a powerhouse activist. She’s used her platform to fight for LGBTQ rights, animal welfare, and reproductive freedom for decades.
She famously won Celebrity Poker Showdown and donated $100,000 to V-Day, an organization working to end violence against women. She's been named Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year. This isn't just "celebrity charity" work; it’s baked into her identity. When you see her on screen, there’s an underlying intelligence and empathy that comes from her real-world engagement with these issues.
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Real Talk: The Kathy Najimy Watchlist
If you're looking to dive into her work, don't just stick to the movies. Start with the Kathy & Mo specials to see her range. Then, go back to King of the Hill and really listen to the nuance she puts into Peggy’s delusions of grandeur. It’s brilliant.
If you want something more modern, her episodes on Veep are some of the sharpest writing she’s ever been handed. She holds her own against Julia Louis-Dreyfus, which is no small feat.
Kathy Najimy’s career is a reminder that you don't have to be the "lead" in every project to be the most memorable person on the screen. She’s built a legacy out of being authentic, unapologetic, and consistently funny. Whether she's a doctor, a psychic, a nun, or a cartoon teacher, she brings a human element that makes you want to keep watching.
To get the most out of her filmography, try looking for her 90s specials on streaming platforms—they provide the context for her entire comedic timing. Also, keep an eye on the upcoming King of the Hill revival casting news; her return as Peggy is one of the most anticipated voice-acting reunions in recent years. For a deeper look at her dramatic range, find her three-episode arc on Chicago Hope—it’s a side of her you rarely see in her more famous "witchy" roles.