Kerri Kenney-Silver (born January 20, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer, singer, and musician. She is best known for starring as Trudy Wiegel on the mockumentary series Reno 911!, for which she has been nominated for four prime-time Emmy Awards.[1] She is also known for her previous sketch comedy work on MTV's The State, where she was the show's lone female cast member. She has also appeared with recurring roles on sitcoms such as Superstore, 2 Broke Girls, Love, and The Ellen Show. In the mid-late 1990s, Kenney fronted the all-female rock band Cake Like.
Kerri Kenney-Silver | |
|---|---|
Kenney-Silver (on the left) in 2008 on the set of Suburban Shootout | |
| Born | Kerri Kenney January 20, 1970 Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse |
Steven V. Silver (m. 2004) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Sharon Kenney Larry Kenney |
Early life
editKenney-Silver was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was raised in Westport, Connecticut, and New York City. She is the daughter of Carol Kenney and Larry Kenney, an actor who is best known as the voice of Lion-O in ThunderCats.[2]
Career
editDuring the early 1990s, Kenney-Silver was the lead singer and bassist of the indie rock band Cake Like.
Kenney-Silver attended New York University where she joined the sketch comedy group The New Group[3][4] which ultimately became The State.[5] The group was picked up for a self-titled sketch comedy show on MTV, The State,[4] which aired between 1993 and 1995.
After the show's completion, Kenney-Silver continued working with her fellow troupe members on other projects. In 1996, she co-wrote and starred in Viva Variety, a parody of variety shows that aired on Comedy Central for two seasons.[6]
In 2000, Kenney-Silver voiced the character of "Gravitina" in the children's cartoon Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. She has since done a number of voices on the Nickelodeon series Invader Zim. Additionally, she starred as a regular on The Ellen Show, which aired until 2001. She later found success with Reno 911!,[5] a series on Comedy Central that parodied police reality shows like COPS, which also featured former members of the State Thomas Lennon, Ben Garant, and Joe Lo Truglio. The show was originally cancelled in 2009 after six seasons. Kenney-Silver also appeared on the TV series Still Standing.
In July 2008, Kenney-Silver made her debut as "Dame Delilah", the title character in the web series Dame Delilah's Fantasy Ranch & Gift Shoppe. On the site, various comedians give video testimony as characters working at or otherwise visiting the fictional Cat House. Kenney-Silver created the series and it was produced by her husband, Steve Silver, and Jared Mazzaschi.[7]
Kenney-Silver was among the cast of Suburban Shootout, a pilot based on the British comedy of the same name, directed and executive produced by Barry Sonnenfeld for HBO. The pilot filmed in The Hamptons, Long Island, in September 2008. The pilot ultimately was not picked up.[8]
Kenney-Silver has appeared in films such as All About Steve, Reno 911!: Miami, National Lampoon's Pledge This!, Balls of Fury, The Ten, Role Models, and Wanderlust.
In December 2011 it was announced that Kenney-Silver and actress Jamie Denbo were developing a new series for Comedy Central called "Dame Delilah’s Rabbit Hole Ranch" based on a web series they previously created and starred in.
In 2015 she began voicing the character of Miriam in the Nickelodeon series Harvey Beaks.[9]
From 2016 to 2018, she played the recurring role of Syd (the neighbor of Gillian Jacobs’s character) in the Netflix comedy series Love. Until 2021 she was a recurring character on the NBC sitcom Superstore, playing the role of Jerusha Sturgis, Glenn's wife, who was introduced in the third season.
In 2020, Kenney-Silver reprised her role as Deputy Trudy Wiegel in the seventh season of Reno 911! which aired on Quibi. She also appeared in the 2021 Paramount+ movie, Reno 911! The Hunt for QAnon. The eighth season of the series, now titled Reno 911! Defunded, premiered on The Roku Channel in February 2022.
Personal life
editKenney-Silver is married to cinematographer Steven V. Silver.[citation needed] They have a son who was born in 2005. [citation needed]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Love God | Darla | |
| 1998 | Orange Quarters | First Funeral Mourner | |
| 1999 | Terror Firmer | Woman with Eyeball in Her Cleavage | |
| 2001 | Wet Hot American Summer | Paco's Wife | Deleted Scene |
| 2003 | Kim Possible: The Secret Files | The Bebes (voice) | |
| 2005 | Waiting... | Lilli | |
| 2006 | Pledge This! | Kathy Johnson | |
| 2007 | The Ten | Bernice Jaffe | |
| Reno 911!: Miami | Deputy Trudy Wiegel | Also writer and producer | |
| Balls of Fury | Showgirl | Cameo | |
| The Comebacks | Sports Judge | ||
| 2008 | Role Models | Lynette Farcques | |
| 2009 | All About Steve | Miss Hancock | |
| 2012 | Wanderlust | Kathy | |
| Fun Size | Barb | ||
| 2013 | Dealin' with Idiots | Caitlin | |
| 2015 | Hell and Back | Madame Zonare (voice) | |
| 2016 | Other People | Aunt Lynne | |
| 2017 | Downsizing | Single Mom Kristen | Cameo |
| 2018 | A Futile and Stupid Gesture | Sullivan Producer | |
| 2021 | Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon | Deputy Trudy Wiegel | Also writer and producer
Nominated— Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie (2022)[10] |
| 2022 | Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist | Deputy Wiegel / Jackie the Pickle Throwing Hooker | Also co-writer and producer[11] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | You Wrote It, You Watch It | Various Characters | Also writer |
| 1993–1995 | The State | Various | 26 episodes; also writer and creator |
| 1997 | Viva Variety | Agatha Laupin | 16 episodes; also writer Nominated—CableACE Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series |
| 1998 | Hercules | Gaia (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the Prince of Thrace" |
| 2000 | Hey Neighbor | Dotty | TV pilot |
| The Weekenders | Tish's Mom (voice) | Episode: "To Be or Not to Be" | |
| Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Gravitina (voice) | 5 episodes | |
| 2001 | Clerks | Mother (voice) | 2 episodes |
| Lloyd in Space | Sirenia's Mother (voice) | Episode: "Girl From The Center of the Universe" | |
| The Legend of Tarzan (TV series) | (voice) | Episode: "Tarzan and the Silver Screen" | |
| 2001–2002 | The Ellen Show | Pam | 16 episodes |
| 2001–2002 | Invader Zim | Various (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | What I Like About You | Lisa Lillien | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2002-2004 | Teamo Supremo | Electronica (voice) | 2 Episodes |
| 2002–2006 | Still Standing | Marion Fitzsimmons | 5 episodes |
| 2002–2007 | Kim Possible | Bebes (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2003 | Titletown | TV pilot | |
| 2003–2009, 2020–2022 |
Reno 911! | Deputy Trudy Wiegel | Also writer and creator Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (2020) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (2020) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (2021)Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (2021)[12] |
| 2004 | Brandy & Mr. Whiskers | Mama Croc (voice) | 2 episodes |
| Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker | Alice Karp | Episode: "Putt-Putt" | |
| 2006 | Lovespring International | Beatrice | Episode: "The Psychic" |
| 2007 | Wainy Days | Kerri | Episode: "Walking Tour" |
| 2008 | Pushing Daisies | Alexandria | Episode: "Oh Oh Oh... It's Magic" |
| 2010 | Adventure Time | Various voices | 2 episodes |
| Tax Man | Bethany | TV pilot | |
| Party Down | Aviatrix | Episode: "Not on Your Wife Opening Night" | |
| Pretend Time | Mrs. Hampton | Episode: "Mudslide Junction" | |
| 2010–2013 | Childrens Hospital | Herself / Dutch Tourist | Episode: "Give a Painted Brother a Break" |
| 2011 | Raising Hope | Gwen | Episode: "Everybody Flirts... Sometimes" |
| 2011–2012 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | 4-Sight | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Are You There, Chelsea? | Olga | Episode: "Surprise" |
| Counter Culture | Billie Haynes | TV pilot | |
| Anger Management | Mel | 2 episodes | |
| Burning Love | Jay | 2 episodes | |
| Comedy Bang! Bang! | Meryl Hmm | Episode: "Weird Al Yankovic Wears a Hawaiian Shirt" | |
| Sullivan & Son | Jo | Episode: "The Prodigal Sister" | |
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Therapist | Episode: "The Gang Gets Analysed" | |
| 2013 | The New Normal | Dr. Howell | Episode: "Dog Children" |
| Newsreaders | Tina Barry | Episode: "CCSI: Boston" | |
| Key & Peele | Episode: "Pussy on the Chainwax" | ||
| 2014 | New Girl | Captain Jan Nortis | Episode: "Cruise" |
| Us & Them | Gwen | 7 episodes | |
| 2014–2015 | American Dad! | Parole Officer / Rhonda Hughart (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp | Real Estate Agent | Episode: "Auditions" |
| 2015–2017 | Harvey Beaks | Miriam (voice) | 39 episodes |
| 2016 | Angie Tribeca | Laurie Partridge | Episode: "Ferret Royale" |
| Animals. | Leslie (voice) | Episode: "Rats." | |
| Teachers | Mrs. Barkley | Episode: "The Last Day" | |
| Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Mrs. Gullier | Episode: "Amir Is Glenn's Mentor" | |
| Lady Dynamite | Ginny Kimmle | Episode: "Mein Ramp" | |
| Loosely Exactly Nicole | Bernice | Episode: "Mistress" | |
| Shameless | Constance Grace | Episode: "Requiem for a Slut" | |
| 2016–2018 | Love | Syd | 8 episodes |
| 2017 | Bob's Burgers | Various voices | 2 episodes |
| 2 Broke Girls | Denise | 3 episodes | |
| 2018-2021 | Superstore | Jerusha Sturgis | 8 episodes |
| 2018 | A Series of Unfortunate Events | Babs | 4 episodes: "The Hostile Hospital" and "The Penultimate Peril" |
| Big Hero 6: The Series | Jaq / Doctor (voice) | Episode: "The Impatient Patient" | |
| 2019 | Santa Clarita Diet | Petra Blazic | Episode: "Zombody" |
| Big Little Lies | Dr. Belinda Shea | Episode: "The End of the World" | |
| Where's Waldo | Wizard Lariat / Emu / Playtypus (voice) | Episode: "Australian Blunder Down Under" | |
| 2020 | The George Lucas Talk Show | Herself | Episode: "COVID-1138: More American Willoweenie: The Battle for Elector" |
| Miracle Workers | Lila | 3 episodes | |
| 2022 | Reboot | Susan | Guest role |
| 2022 | The Sex Lives of College Girls | Professor Hennessey | Episode: "Frat Problems" |
| 2023 | Digman! | Professor Lotte Eccleston (voice) | Episode: "Fear of GAWD" |
| 2023 | The Great North | Janice / Regina (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | What We Do in the Shadows[13] | Helen Johnson | Episode: "Hybrid Creatures" |
References
edit- ^ "Kerri Kenney-Silver". Television Academy. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Kerri Kenney Biography (1970–)". Filmreference.com. 1970-01-20. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ Stulce, Corey (2016). The Union of The State. Corey Stulce. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-0997400519.
- ^ a b Cormier, Roger (July 10, 2014). "15 Things You Might Not Know About 'The State'". Mental Floss. London, England: Dennis Publishing. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ a b Hough, Allan (February 4, 2009). "The State's David Wain, Thomas Lennon and Kerri Kenney-Silver". The A.V. Club. Chicago, Illinois: Onion, Inc. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ Ess, Ramsey (September 26, 2014). "Revisiting the Surreal World of 'Viva Variety'". Vulture.com. New York City: New York City. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ "Dame Delilah's Fantasy Ranch & Gift Shoppe". Damedelilah.com. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ^ O'Reilly, Brendan (September 29, 2008). "Hamptons familiar location for director". 27east. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ^ "Nerd Armada". C.H. Greenblatt. January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ "Reno 911!: The Hunt For QAnon". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ Hermanns, Grant (2022-12-09). "Kerri Kenney-Silver Interview: RENO 911! It's A Wonderful Heist". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ "Kerri Kenney-Silver". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
- ^ "Kerri Kenney | Actress, Producer, Writer". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-10-03.