Mary Birdsong

Mary Evans Birdsong (born April 18, 1968) is an American actress, comedian, writer, and singer. In addition to her work in theater and voice acting, she was a regular cast member on '' Reno 911!'' and appeared in the HBO series '' Succession''.

Early life

Birdsong was born in Florida and grew up on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, one of five sisters. She graduated from Southern Regional High School in 1986.

Birdsong is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts where she earned a BFA in acting.

Career

Film and television

Birdsong made her on-screen debut in the 1996 TV film ''Live On Tape''. She is best known as Deputy Cherisha Kimball on the comedy series '' Reno 911!'' (2005–2007, 2020–2022) and its two spin-off movies in 2007 and 2021. She is also known for playing Nancy McDonald in Rob Zombie's '' Halloween II'' and Kai Mitchell opposite George Clooney in the Alexander Payne film '' The Descendants''. She appeared alongside Adrien Brody in the stoner comedy ''High School'' (2010), playing Mrs. Gordon, a high school dean's promiscuous wife. She has also made numerous cameos on film and television, including in the major productions '' Made of Honor'' and '' Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters'', and the psychological thriller '' Buried''. She is a former correspondent on ''The Daily Show'' and '' Crossballs''.

As a voice actress, she has appeared in animated series such as '' Goldie and Bear'', '' Stroker and Hoop'', '' Little Bill'' (as Dorado's mom in the episode "New Foods"), '' Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law'', '' Tak & the Power of Juju'', '' T.U.F.F. Puppy'' and '' Stroker and Hoop'', as well as the video game '' Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' and '' Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight'', and animated film '' Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe''.

Birdsong appeared in season 1 (2018) and season 4 (2023) of the HBO series '' Succession.'' She played Marianne Hirsch, the mother of fan favorite Greg Hirsch (played by Nicolas Braun), and niece of family patriarch Logan Roy ( Brian Cox).

Broadway and live theater

From July 2006 to January 2007, Birdsong performed in the '' Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me'' comedy musical, alongside Martin Short, Marc Shaiman, Nicole Parker, Brooks Ashmanskas, and Capathia Jenkins, winning a Theatre World Award for her performance. On January 29, 2008, Birdsong joined the Broadway cast of the musical, '' Hairspray''. She played the role of Velma Von Tussle, the bigoted, pushy stage mother and television producer. Birdsong left the production on April 6, 2008. She then performed her one-woman show ''3 Days in the Tub: A Mama Drama'' in Los Angeles at Comedy Central Stage (September 2010) & the Fake Gallery (November 2010), and in New York City at Joe's Pub (January 2011). before going to San Francisco to play Mona Ramsey in ACT's adaptation of Armistead Maupin's '' Tales of the City''. She is also known for her Judy Garland impression.

Together with author Justin Halpern ('' Shit My Dad Says'') and comic Jen Kober ('' American Reunion''), Birdsong performed as a member of the May 2012 cast of '' Don't Tell My Mother!'', an LA-based comedy showcase.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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Interview with WickedInfo.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birdsong, Mary
1968 births
20th-century American actresses
20th-century American comedians
20th-century American women singers
20th-century American singers
21st-century American actresses
21st-century American comedians
21st-century American women singers
21st-century American singers
Actresses from Florida
Actresses from New Jersey
American comedy musicians
American film actresses
American impressionists (entertainers)
American musical theatre actresses
American stage actresses
American television actresses
American voice actresses
American women comedians
Living people
Actors from Ocean County, New Jersey
Southern Regional High School alumni
Theatre World Award winners
American women rock singers
Comedians from Florida
Comedians from Ocean County, New Jersey