Honestly, if you grew up watching Disney Channel or spent your Friday nights hunting demons with the Winchesters, you know Kim Rhodes. But you probably know her as "Mom." Whether it’s the spiky-haired, lounge-singing Carey Martin or the tough-as-nails Sheriff Jody Mills, Rhodes has this weirdly specific superpower of making every viewer feel like they’re part of her family. It’s a rare vibe. Most actors play a role; Kim Rhodes builds a home.
But here’s the thing. If you only look at Kim Rhodes movies and tv shows through the lens of those two massive hits, you’re missing about 70% of the story.
She didn't just wake up one day and start living in the Tipton Hotel. Before the sitcom laughs and the supernatural heartbreak, she was a soap opera staple and a Shakespearean pro. She’s been in everything from Star Trek to Kung Fu, and her path through Hollywood is way more chaotic and interesting than most people realize.
The Disney Years: Beyond the Tipton Hotel
Most people first met her in 2005. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody was a juggernaut. As Carey Martin, she had to play the "straight man" to the absolute lunacy of Dylan and Cole Sprouse, not to mention Mr. Moseby’s high-strung energy. It’s easy to dismiss a Disney mom role as "easy," but Carey was different. She was a single mom, a working artist, and—let’s be real—the only person in that building with a lick of common sense.
You've probably seen the viral clips lately where she talks about protecting the boys on set. That wasn't just acting. She’s gone on record about how she stood up to producers who tried to body-shame the kids. That "mom" energy was the real deal.
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When the show transitioned into The Suite Life on Deck, Carey didn't stay on the boat. She popped in for cameos, but the transition allowed Rhodes to start looking for something darker. Something grittier.
The Supernatural Shift: Sheriff Jody Mills
If Disney made her a household name, Supernatural made her a legend. When she first showed up as Sheriff Jody Mills in the Season 5 episode "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid," fans didn't expect much. Most guest stars on that show ended up as monster bait within forty minutes.
Jody survived.
She didn't just survive; she became the emotional backbone of the series. Over 18 appearances across a decade, Jody evolved from a grieving mother into a legendary hunter and a surrogate parent to the Wayward Sisters. The fact that we never got the Wayward Sisters spinoff is still a sore spot for the "SPN Family." Honestly, it’s one of the biggest missed opportunities in CW history.
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The Roles You Forgot (Or Never Knew About)
If you dig into the archives of Kim Rhodes movies and tv shows, you’ll find some gems that feel worlds away from Sioux Falls or Boston.
- Another World & As the World Turns: Before the prime-time fame, she was Cindy Harrison. Soap operas are a grind, and Rhodes spent years in the late 90s honing her craft there. It’s where she learned how to handle a camera and, surprisingly, how to find the comedy in high-stakes drama.
- Star Trek: Voyager: Trekkies know her as Ensign Lyndsay Ballard (and her alien counterpart Jhet'leya) in the episode "Ashes to Ashes." It’s a tragic, beautiful performance that showed off her range in heavy sci-fi prosthetic makeup. She even returned to the Star Trek universe years later, voicing characters in Star Trek Online.
- Criminal Minds: She took a villainous turn as Assistant Director Linda Barnes. If you want to see Rhodes play someone you absolutely loathe, this is the one. She was so good at being corporate and cold that fans were practically cheering for her downfall.
- Kung Fu: More recently, she stepped into the world of martial arts drama as Carrie, proving she can still hold her own in an ensemble cast without breaking a sweat.
The "Secret" Voice Acting Career
It’s not just about what she does on camera. If you're a gamer, you’ve probably heard her voice without even realizing it. In Persona 5 Strikers, she voiced Mariko Hyodo. It’s a complex role—a politician caught in a web of corruption—and she brings a weight to the English dub that really anchors that specific arc.
She’s also popped up in things like Atlas Shrugged: Part II and the Hallmark-style holiday flick Beethoven's Christmas Adventure. Basically, if there’s a script that needs a woman who can be both vulnerable and "don't-mess-with-me" tough, she’s the first call.
Why She’s Still Everywhere in 2026
Looking at her schedule for this year, she isn't slowing down. Between the massive fan convention circuit—where she’s basically royalty—and her guest spots on various series, she has one of the most loyal fanbases in the industry.
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People don't just "watch" Kim Rhodes. They follow her. She’s incredibly open about mental health and the reality of being a working actor, which has kept her relevant long after the Tipton Hotel closed its doors.
What to Watch Next
If you’ve already binged Supernatural for the tenth time, here’s how to actually explore the best of her filmography:
- Start with the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Ashes to Ashes." It’s some of her best dramatic work early in her career.
- Watch her Criminal Minds arc. It’s a great pallet cleanser if you’re too used to her being "nice" Jody Mills.
- Check out Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street. She plays Vicki Bowen, and the show itself is a hidden gem that deserves way more love.
The reality is that Kim Rhodes movies and tv shows represent a career built on being the person everyone can rely on. She’s the anchor. Whether she’s holding a badge, a microphone, or a shotgun, she’s the one you want in your corner. If you're looking for an actress who actually gives a damn about the stories she tells, you've found her.
Check out her latest guest appearances on CW’s Kung Fu or catch her at one of the upcoming Creation Entertainment conventions—she's a staple there for a reason.