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Kathy Griffin | |
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.jpg) Griffin at the 2019South by Southwest Festival | |
| Born | Kathleen Mary Griffin (1960-11-04)November 4, 1960 (age 65) Oak Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Spouses | |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Medium |
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| Genres | |
| Subjects |
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| Website | kathygriffin |
Kathleen Mary Griffin (born November 4, 1960) is an American comedian and actress who has starred in television series, comedy specials and has released multiple comedy albums. In 2007 and 2008, Griffin wonPrimetime Emmy Awards for her reality showKathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. She has also appeared in supporting roles in films.
Griffin was born inOak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. In 1978, she moved to Los Angeles, where she studied drama at theLee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and became a member of the improvisational comedy troupeThe Groundlings. In the 1990s, Griffin began performing as a stand-up comedian and appeared as a guest star on television shows, and then had a supporting role on theNBC sitcomSuddenly Susan (1996–2000).
TheBravo reality showKathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005–2010) became a ratings hit for the network and earned her twoEmmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program. Griffin has released six comedy albums, all of which receivedGrammy Award nominations. Her first albumFor Your Consideration (2008) made her the first female comedian to debut at the top of theBillboardTop Comedy Albums chart. In 2009, she released her autobiographyOfficial Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin. After being nominated for six years in a row for the Grammy forBest Comedy Album, she won the award in 2014. Griffin has recorded numerous standup comedy specials forHBO and Bravo. For the latter network, she has recorded sixteen television specials, breaking theGuinness World record for the number of aired television specials on any network.[1][2] In 2011, she also became the first comedian to have four specials televised in a year.[3]
Griffin is known for her controversial style and statements about celebrities, religion and sexuality, including holding a mask stylized asDonald Trump's severed head in 2017, which provoked aUnited States Secret Service investigation and later became the basis of her concert filmA Hell of a Story (2019).
Kathleen Mary Griffin was born on November 4, 1960, in the Chicago suburbOak Park, Illinois,[4] to first-generation Irish-Americans Margaret Mary Griffin (née Corbally), who was a cashier at a Hospital in Oak Park, and John Patrick Griffin, an employee at aRadioShack.[5][6] She has four older siblings.[6] Griffin grew upCatholic.[7] She described growing up in a "dysfunctional" and "Irish alcoholic" family.[7][8]
Kathy's eldest brother Kenneth "Kenny" John Griffin (1942–2001) was apedophile, drug addict and homeless at various times. When Kathy was 7, Kenny, who was 18 years older, sexually abused her and would climb into her bed and whisper into her ears. She did not tell her parents until she was in her 20s, at which point Kenny admitted hispedophilia to them. For many years, Kathy was "shunned" by her own family because she tried to get Kenny arrested after learning he had abused other children. She was "afraid of him until the moment he died" because of his violent, abusive nature.[9][10][11] "...two of his girlfriends confessed to me he also physically abused them very violently and I called theLAPD about it twice."[12]
Griffin described herself during her early years as being "a kid who needed to talk, all the time".[6] She would often visit her neighbors to tell them stories about her family; she has referred to those visits as her first live shows where she learned "the power of juicy material".[6] After most of her siblings had moved, Griffin developed abinge eating disorder.[13] In her 2009 autobiographyOfficial Book Club Selection, Griffin said she "still suffers [from food issues]" but has learned to "deal with them".[13]
At elementary school, Griffin began to develop a dislike for organized religion because of the punishments she and other "vulnerable" students received from the nuns.[13] At her high school, she sought refuge in musical theater, playing roles such as Rosemary inHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hodel inFiddler on the Roof.[14] During her senior year, she wanted to become a professional actor. Her first appearance on television was as anextra on aChicago White Sox commercial, and she was signed with several Chicago talent agencies. At 18, Griffin persuaded her parents to move to Los Angeles to help her become famous.[14]
At 19, Griffin attended a performance by the improvisational groupThe Groundlings. She said, "I thought this is where I want to be. This is the greatest thing in the world."[15]
Griffin began performing in the early 1990s in the Los Angelesimprovisational comedy troupe The Groundlings.[16] She went on to perform standup comedy and became part of thealternative comedy scene in Los Angeles. WithJaneane Garofalo, she created a standup act called "Hot Cup of Talk", which became the title of her 1998 soloHBO special.[17] Griffin earned a number of television and film credits during the 1990s. She appeared inJulie Brown'sMedusa: Dare to Be Truthful, aShowtime parody of the 1991Madonna filmTruth or Dare. Griffin twice appeared as Susan Klein, a reporter onNBC'sThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; it was her television sitcom debut.[18]
On June 12, 2008, Griffin hosted the firstBravo! Canada A-List Awards, which included a parody of the "wardrobe malfunction" experienced byJanet Jackson in theSuper Bowl halftime show in 2004. She also hosted the 2009 Bravo A-List Awards, which aired on April 15, 2009, and her Bravo specialKathy Griffin:She'll Cut a Bitch aired beforehand.Shout! Factory released an extended version of the show on DVD in early 2010.[19]
On September 8, 2009,Ballantine Books published Griffin's memoir, titledOfficial Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin, which debuted at number one onThe New York Times Best Seller list. A week prior, she released her second comedy albumSuckin' It for the Holidays; it was her second bid to win a Grammy Award.[20][21] It was announced on November 3, 2009, that Griffin was to host ABC's new showLet's Dance, on which celebrity contestants would have re-enacted famous dance routines while competing for a $250,000 grand prize for their favorite charity.[22]
Griffin hostedCNN's New Year's Eve broadcast on December 31, 2009, along withAnderson Cooper. As Cooper talked about theBalloon boy hoax, Griffin said "fucking".[23] Although Griffin was rumored to have been banned from future CNN broadcasts,[24] she co-hosted the show with Cooper until 2017.[25] In 2017, CNN terminated Griffin from its New Year's Eve Broadcast after Griffin showed pictures of herself holding a bloody, model severed head resembling President Donald Trump.[26] Griffin has also guest-starred in a 2009 episode ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a lesbian activist.[27]
Since the2008 presidential election, Griffin has made frequent jokes about Republican vice-presidential contenderSarah Palin and her family.[28] On US television programGlee, Griffin parodied Palin posing as a judge at a regional singing competition. Griffin also made fun ofChristine O'Donnell in the show by stating, "Before we start, I would like to say I am not a witch".[29]
On January 7, 2012, it was announced that Griffin would host a weekly one-hour talk show on the channelKathy, which would consist of standup routines, "rant about pop culture", and celebrity interviews.[30] On April 8, 2013, during a live standup performance inCincinnati, Ohio, Griffin announced that her show would not be renewed for a third season. She confirmed it later on her Twitter account. According to FOX 411, Bravo was planning to film several comedy specials starring Griffin after the show ended.[31]
On June 13, 2014, it was announced that Griffin would host the41st Daytime Emmy Awards.[32] For the first time in the event's four-decade history, the show bypassed a network television airing for a live onlinestreaming media event.[33] The ceremony took place on June 22, 2014. Griffin's performance was well received by critics.[34]
Kathy Griffin served as a co-host ofThe View from May 2007 to September 2007, replacing the recently departedRosie O'Donnell.[35][36]She declined to discuss the ban onAccess Hollywood[37] As of August 2009, Griffin had been un-banned fromThe View and was a guest on September 18, 2009, and June 15, 2010. In an interview onThe Talk, Griffin said that she has been re-banned fromThe View[38] due to an argument with its co-hostElisabeth Hasselbeck.[39]
In August 2017, Griffin announced a worldwide comedy tour. The title "Laugh Your Head Off" was a reference to her depiction of an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump's severed head. The tour visited major cities in Singapore, Australia, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and many more European, and Asian cities. Several shows sold out within minutes of going on sale, leading to Griffin adding several shows to the lineup.[40] She continued with a North America leg of the tour, commencing May 23, 2018, inOttawa, Ontario and including bothRadio City Music Hall andCarnegie Hall in New York City.[41]
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Griffin said she was banned from appearing on several television shows includingThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno andThe View.[42] She was re-banned fromThe View after making a joke aboutBarbara Walters.[43] Griffin made a joke during a 2005E! televised event saying that eleven-year-old actorDakota Fanning had entereddrug rehabilitation.[44]
The second season ofMy Life on the D-List, which premiered June 2006, earned Griffin the 2007Primetime Emmy forOutstanding Reality Program in non-competition. She received it during theCreative Arts Emmy Awards, which was hosted byCarlos Mencia and aired onE! in September. Griffin said,
Now, a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. He didn't help me a bit. If it was up to him,Cesar Millan would be up here with that damn dog. So all I can say is suck it, Jesus, this award is my God now![45]
Griffin later said that she meant the remark to be a satire of celebrities who thank Jesus for their awards, especially artists who are controversial in their speech and actions, rather than as a slight on Jesus.[46] The academy said her "offensive remarks will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night".[47] Griffin said that she was fired from an appearance onHannah Montana because of her Emmy acceptance speech.[48]
In a July 2009 episode ofMy Life on the D-List, Griffin used profanity in anOctomom joke during her routine at New York'sApollo Theater. Griffin said that she received a letter banning her from the venue.[49]
On May 30, 2017, Griffin posted a video of herself holding "a mask styled to look like the severed, bloody head" of then U.S. PresidentDonald Trump.[50] It was posted on herInstagram and Twitter accounts. She wrote: "I caption this 'there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his ... wherever'", referencinga comment Trump had made aboutMegyn Kelly. The video was from a session with photographerTyler Shields, who is known for producing "shocking" imagery.[51][52] Griffin later took down the image and apologized for posting the image, saying that she went too far and adding, "I beg for your forgiveness".[53][54]
On June 2, 2017,Lisa Bloom, an attorney for Griffin stated, "Like many edgy works of artistic expression, the photo could be interpreted different ways. But Griffin never imagined that it could be misinterpreted as a threat of violence against Trump. That was never what she intended. She has never threatened or committed an act of violence against anyone."[55][56] Griffin said the Trump family was "trying to ruin my life forever".[57]
In May 2017, Griffin was dropped by Squatty Potty as a spokesperson.[58]CNN fired her from its New Year's Eve broadcast with Anderson Cooper.[59] Cooper said, "For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate."[60] All of Griffin's remaining scheduled tour dates were canceled by their venues.[61] During an interview on Australian television in August 2017, Griffin talked about the photo, saying, "Stop acting like my little picture is more important than talking about the actual atrocities that the president of the United States is committing".[62] In November 2017, she appeared onSkavlan where she said, "I take that apology back by the way. I take it back big time". He said she had received a lot of bad advice at the time.[63]
On October 28, 2017, Griffin uploaded a YouTube video titled "Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a Story", which is about the backlash she received for the Trump photo controversy.[64] It was the basis for herA Hell of a Story concert film. She said she was under a federal investigation by theJustice Department for two months and was on theNo Fly List during that time. She also said that she was put on theInterpol list which is theFive Eyes list; she said that she had been detained at every airport during herLaugh Your Head Off World Tour.[65][66]
On November 4, 2020 (her 60th birthday and the day after the2020 United States presidential election), Griffin once again posted a photo of herself with a model of Donald Trump's bloody, severed head.[67]
On November 6, 2022, Griffin was suspended from Twitter for impersonatingElon Musk. Griffin used his profile photo and changed her name on the service, tweeting under his name imploring people to vote forDemocrats in the upcoming midterm elections and encouraging them to retweet and spread her post. She also posted that she, posing as Musk, had decided to vote blue to support women's rights. Musk tweeted the same day that anyone impersonating a public figure would be permanently suspended unless the account was clearly marked as parody.[68] On the next day, Griffin posted on her deceased mother's Twitter account, calling Musk an "asshole". She further challenged the site's policy that she had used her Twitter profile for impersonation.[69] Musk tweeted sardonically in reply to another tweet, "Actually she was suspended for impersonating a comedian."[70] On November 18, Elon Musk announced that her account has been reinstated due to new rules concerning "negative/hate tweets".[71]
Griffin developed her love of popular culture through her immediate and extended family, who were frequently commenting about the latest news. She said; "I may have been intoThe Brady Bunch like every other kid, but I also wanted to watchJohn Lennon andYoko Ono onThe Dick Cavett Show, and every minute of theWatergate hearings. It wasfear of the dinner table that got me hooked."[72] She has also named her mother Maggie as influential in her consumption of pop culture, calling her "the ideal audience for the Hollywood dish". Griffin named the characterRhoda Morgenstern of 1970s sitcomThe Mary Tyler Moore Show as an influence.[73]
Griffin established her career with candid observations of everyday life and her dating experiences, later focusing on mocking celebrities; her act currently consists of embellished stories involving celebrities. Griffin hopes people understand that no malice is intended by her humor. "I'm genuinely a fan of most of the people I trash in the act", she said; "I really, really try and focus on making fun of people for their behavior. I'm not so into making fun of someone for the way they look, or something that's out of their control."[74]
Griffin is sometimes the object of her own humor, particularly with regard to her D-list status. She portrays herself as aHollywood outsider and has a group of close celebrity friends such asRosie O'Donnell,Joan Rivers,Jerry Seinfeld,Gloria Estefan, andLance Bass. Her longtime friendship with Bass was the catalyst for a feud between Griffin and gossip bloggerPerez Hilton.[75][76]
In 2007, Griffin commented on her aversion to making fun of celebrity friends; "There's nothing I won't do, but on the other hand I'm full of shit because that changes".[77] Griffin and Hilton ended their feud after the death of Griffin's father, and Hilton appeared on an episode of Griffin's show in 2007.[76]
Griffin is a supporter forLGBT rights including same-sex marriage.[78][79] She has protested with fellow proponents inWest Hollywood, California[80] and included the footage from protests on her reality showKathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. Her mother was also a supporter of LGBT rights during her lifetime. She was often seen on the same television shows protesting alongside her daughter. Prior to theProposition 8 ballot results, Griffin volunteered for theLos Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center's "Vote for Equality" campaign, going door-to-door asking Los Angeles residents for their opinion of LGBT marriage rights.[81]
In March 2010, Griffin helped organize a rally in Washington, D.C., to advocate the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell". She said that she organized the rally after meeting with several closeted gay people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Griffin held meetings with several Members of Congress to encourage its repeal; she also organized a rally inFreedom Plaza.[82]
Griffin caused controversy when she confrontedRepublican CongresswomanMichele Bachmann over her views on homosexuality at the 2010Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner; according to Griffin, she asked Bachmann "were you born a bigot or did you grow into it", a reference to Bachmann's belief that homosexuality is strictly environmental.[83] Griffin said Bachmann replied, "That's a good question, I'll have to think about that". Bachmann's office confirmed the exchange but said Griffin confronted Bachmann after Bachmann approached Griffin to compliment her appearance.[84][85]
Griffin is a long-time supporter of the Aid for AIDS annual fundraiserBest in Drag Show in Los Angeles, and hosted the opening of the show for more than five years.[86] In November 2009, Aid For AIDS presented Kathy Griffin with anAFA Angel Award at their silver anniversary celebration.[86][87]
Griffin is a long-time critic ofSarah Palin and has made fun of Palin's daughter,Bristol Palin, using the Palin family as material for her comedy routines.[88] In March 2011, Sarah Palin responded to Griffin by calling her a "bully".[89] In her reality television show, Griffin visited the Palin family home inWasilla, Alaska, and invited Palin to attend her stand-up show inAnchorage, Alaska.[90] Griffin has also poked fun atWillow Palin as a result of Palin's Facebook statements on homosexuality.[91]
In 2020, Griffin hosted the Str8Up Gay Porn Awards.[92]
She was named the 2025 Advocate of the Year by the magazineThe Advocate; an article in the magazine about this stated, "The Advocate is highlighting her bold activism and utterly unique humor by selecting her as our 2025 Advocate of the Year."[93]
In a 2006 interview, Griffin said she does not drink alcohol in spite of growing up in a family where she was surrounded by “lots” of alcoholism. She said, “I still think that if I would've taken a drink, I think I would have become an alcoholic very quickly.” By June 2020, Griffin developed an addiction to prescription drugs.[94][95]
Griffin's estranged eldest brother, Kenny, died from a drug overdose in October 2001.[9] Her brother Gary died ofesophageal cancer in 2014.[96] Her sister, Joyce Patricia Griffin, died in September 2017 from an undisclosed form of cancer.[96] Kathy had shaved her head in solidarity with her in late July.[96]
Her father, John Patrick Griffin, died of heart failure in 2007.[97] Her mother, Maggie, died on March 17, 2020.[97][98] In a post on her social media accounts, Griffin said, "I am gutted. My best friend. I am shaking. I won't ever be prepared. I'm so grateful you guys got to be part of her life. You knew her. You loved her. She knew it. Oh, and OF COURSE she went onSt. Patrick's Day."[99]
In 1999, Griffin nearly died during aliposuction procedure in Los Angeles. She has undergone multiple plastic surgeries including breast augmentation and a nose job.[100]
She placed 17th onOxygen's 2007 list of "The 50 Funniest Women Alive". In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on thePalm Springs, California,Walk of Stars was dedicated to her.[101]
Griffin is anatheist. Speaking toSacramento'sOutword Magazine, Griffin said: "I think I'm getting more atheist because of the way the country is getting more into bible-thumping".[102] In her bookOfficial Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin, Griffin said that while in high school, she fell away from Catholicism. She considered becoming aUnitarian but was not sure what that would involve. In 2008, Griffin became an ordained minister with theUniversal Life Church to officiate at the wedding of two fans.[103]
She is an opponent ofLASIK eye surgery, having had a series of operations that left her partially blind in one eye with a visible eyeball deformity.[104]
In August 2021, she announced that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer although she is not a smoker, and needed to have half of her left lung removed.[105] She underwent surgery the same month.[106]
In April 2023, Griffin revealed she was diagnosed with an "extreme case" ofcomplex post-traumatic stress disorder.[107]
Griffin lived in theHollywood Hills from 2004 to 2016.[108] Since then, she has resided inBel Air.[108]
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Griffin married computer administrator Matt Moline in 2001, after being introduced by Moline's sister, television producer Rebecca Moline.[109] They divorced in May 2006.[110] OnLarry King Live, Griffin accused Moline of stealing $72,000 from her; Moline did not respond to the allegation publicly but said that he was saddened by it.[111][112]
In July 2007, rumors that Griffin was datingApple co-founderSteve Wozniak circulated.[113] Griffin and Wozniak attended the2007 Emmy Awards together.[114] OnTom Green's House Tonight on February 6, 2008, Griffin confirmed her relationship with Wozniak. Wozniak and Griffin served as King and Queen of the Humane Society of Silicon Valley Fur Ball on April 5, 2008, in Santa Clara, California.[115] In June 2008, it was confirmed that Griffin and Wozniak were no longer dating.[116]
On August 9, 2009, Griffin attended theTeen Choice Awards withLevi Johnston[117] and then interviewed him onLarry King Live. In the interview, Griffin and Johnston joked that they were in a serious relationship.[118]
On March 7, 2011, while appearing onThe Howard Stern Show, Griffin announced that she was romantically involved with actor and formerNFL practice-squad playerIsaiah Mustafa. He later said that he was single.[119]
In the same interview, she said that the previous July, she had ended a four-year relationship with a man she did not identify but said he is "a regular guy with a regular job", and that it was a "messy breakup".[120] It was later revealed that the man is Griffin's tour manager, who had appeared on several seasons ofMy Life on the D List.[121]
From 2012 until November 2018, Griffin was in a relationship with marketing executive Randy Bick. They also reconciled in April 2019.[122] Griffin married Bick at her home on January 1, 2020, in a ceremony officiated by comedianLily Tomlin.[123] On December 29, 2023, Griffin filed for divorce from Bick, citing irreconcilable differences.[124] The divorce was finalized on January 13, 2025.[125]
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | Battle Beyond the Stars | Alien Extra | Uncredited |
| Fade to Black | Grauman's Chinese Theater Extra | ||
| 1985 | Streets of Fire | Concertgoer | |
| 1991 | The Unborn | Connie | |
| 1992 | Shakes the Clown | Lucy | |
| Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful | Taffy | ||
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction | Hit-and-run witness | |
| It's Pat | Herself | ||
| 1995 | Big News | TV film | |
| Four Rooms | Betty | ||
| The Barefoot Executive | Mary | TV film | |
| 1996 | The Cable Guy | Mother | |
| 1997 | The Big Fall | Sally | |
| Who's the Caboose? | Katty | ||
| Trojan War | Cashier | ||
| Courting Courtney | Ona Miller | ||
| 1999 | Can't Stop Dancing | Modeling agent | |
| Dill Scallion | Tina | ||
| Muppets from Space | Female armed guard | ||
| Jackie's Back | Herself | TV film | |
| 2000 | Lion of Oz | Caroline | Voice role |
| The Intern | Cornelia Crisp | ||
| Enemies of Laughter | Cindy | ||
| A Diva's Christmas Carol | Ghost of Christmas Past | TV film | |
| E | Nurse | "The Real Slim Shady", music video collection | |
| 2001 | On Edge | Karen Katz | |
| 2002 | Run Ronnie Run! | Herself | |
| 2003 | Beethoven's 5th | Evie Kling | |
| 2005 | Dirty Love | Madame Pelly | |
| 2005 | Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone | Rhoga | Voice role, direct-to–video |
| Her Minor Thing | Maggie | ||
| Love Wrecked | Belinda | ||
| 2006 | Bachelor Party Vegas | SpaghettiWrestling She-Elvis | Uncredited cameo |
| 2007 | Judy Toll: The Funniest Woman You've Never Heard of | Herself | Documentary |
| In Search of Puppy Love | |||
| Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project | |||
| Heckler | |||
| 2010 | A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures | Vera | Voice role |
| Shrek Forever After | Taran | ||
| Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work | Herself | Documentary | |
| 2011 | The Muppets | Scene removed from theatrical release | |
| Hall Pass | |||
| 2015 | Being Canadian | Herself | Documentary |
| 2019 | Kathy Griffin: A Hell Of A Story | Herself | Documentary |
| 2021 | Hysterical | Herself | Documentary |
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989–1991 | On the Television | Various | Episode: "Beauty and the Beast" |
| The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | |||
| 1990 | Susan Klein | Episode: "Not With My Pig, You Don't" | |
| 1993 | Civil Wars | Yvonne | Episode: "Watt, Me Worry?" |
| Dream On | Dawn | Episode: "The French Conception" | |
| 1995 | ER | Dolores Minky | Episode: "Motherhood" |
| Dweebs | Sheila | Episode: "The Birthday Party Show" | |
| 1995 | Mad About You | Brenda | Episode: "New Year's Eve" |
| 1996 | Ellen | Peggy | Episode: "Oh, Sweet Rapture" |
| Partners | Michelle | Episode: "Can We Keep Her, Dad?" | |
| Caroline in the City | DMV clerk | Episode: "Caroline and the Movie" | |
| Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | Herself | Episode: "Koppleman and Katz" | |
| Saturday Night Special | 2 episodes | ||
| 1995–1996 | Ned and Stacey | Jeanne | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Oddville, MTV | Episode: August 13, 1997 | |
| The Wonderful World of Disney | Mary | Episode: "The New Barefoot Executive" | |
| 1996–1998 | Seinfeld | Sally Weaver | Episode: "The Cartoon" and "The Doll" |
| 1997–1998 | Premium Blend | Herself | Hostess |
| 1999 | Rock & Roll Jeopardy! | Celebrity edition | |
| 2000 | The X-Files | Betty Templeton/Lulu Pfeiffer | Episode: "Fight Club" |
| 2000 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Herself | Episode: "The Pants Tent" |
| 1999–2000 | Dilbert | Alice | Voice role (uncredited) |
| 1996–2000 | Suddenly Susan | Vicki Groener | Main role; 93 episodes |
| 2001 | The Simpsons | Francine | Episode: "Bye Bye Nerdie" |
| Strong Medicine | Matchmaker | Episode: "Silent Epidemic" | |
| Weakest Link | Herself | Episode: "Comedians Special" | |
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | "Comedy Edition" | ||
| Kathy's So-Called Reality | Hostess | ||
| 2002 | The Drew Carey Show | Kathy | Episode: "The Eagle Has Landed" |
| The Anna Nicole Show | Herself | Christmas special | |
| 2003 | What's New, Scooby-Doo? | Luis Agent Autumn Summerfield | Episode: "The Unnatural" (voice role) |
| Spider-Man: The New Animated Series | Roxanne Gaines | Voice; episode: "Mind Games" | |
| Crank Yankers | Marion Simons | Voice; episode: "Jim Florentine & Kathy Griffin" | |
| The Mole | Herself | Season 3 winner | |
| 2002–2003 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | 4 episodes (5–02, 5–15, 5–19, 5–29) | |
| 2002 | National Lampoon's Funny Money | Episode 1 (guest comedian) | |
| 2003 | Average Joe | Host, Season 1 | |
| 2004 | Stripperella | The Bridesmaid | Voice, 2 episodes |
| Half & Half | Dr. Morgan | Episode: "The Big Labor of Love Episode" | |
| Celebrity Poker Showdown | Herself | Two episodes, third tournament | |
| 2001–2004 | Hollywood Squares | 86 episodes | |
| 2005 | Cheap Seats | Rae | Episode: "1995 SuperDogs! Superjocks!" |
| Days of Our Lives | Limo driver | ||
| All-Star Reality Reunion | Herself | Hostess | |
| 2006 | Gameshow Marathon | Herself | Episode: "Match Game" |
| 2007 | Ugly Betty | Fashion TV anchor | Episode: "In or Out" |
| Loose Women | Herself | ||
| 2008 | Rosie Live | ImpersonatedNancy Grace | |
| Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan | Season 4, episode 24 | ||
| 2009 | Privileged | Olivia | Episode: "All About a Brand New You" |
| Paris Hilton's My New BFF | Herself | Episode: "Must Have Thick Skin" (special guest) | |
| 2008–2010 | Larry King Live | Six episodes | |
| 2009 | The Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers | Roast Master | |
| The Celebrity Apprentice 2 | Special guest | ||
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Celebrity question presenter | ||
| 2005–2010 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | 47 episodes Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Babs Duffy | Episode: "P.C." |
| RuPaul's Drag Race | Guest judge | Episode: "Gone With The Windows" | |
| The Marriage Ref | Episode: "Tracy Morgan, Kathy Griffin, andNathan Lane" | ||
| Last Comic Standing | Performer | Season 7 finale | |
| Shep & Tiffany Watch TV: The Best of 2010 | Executive producer | ||
| 2011 | Glee | Tammy Jean Albertson | Episode: "Original Song" |
| Same Name | Herself | Season 1, episode 2[126] | |
| Drop Dead Diva | Jenna Kaswell-Bailey | Episode: "He Said, She Said" | |
| America's Next Top Model | Guest Judge | Season 17, episode 7[127] | |
| 2012 | American Dad! | Kelly Wilk | Voice, episode: "The Kidney Stays in the Picture"[128] |
| Whitney | Lindsay | Episode: "Codependence Day" | |
| The Rosie Show | Herself | ||
| Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off | Herself | Season 2, episode 6: "Star Studded Supper" | |
| 2012–2013 | Kathy | Host | Talk show[30] |
| 2013 | Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual | Herself | Episode: "No Voice, No Choice" |
| 2014 | Kirstie | Herself | Episode: "The Girl Next Door" |
| 2014 | Big Brother 16 | Herself | Episode 25 |
| 2015 | Fashion Police | Host | Talk show[129] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race | Guest judge | 2 episodes | |
| Big Brother 17 | Herself | Episode 5 | |
| 2016 | Lopez | Herself | Episode: "George Doubles Down" |
| 2018 | Make America Great-a-Thon: A President Show Special andA President Show Documentary: The Fall of Donald Trump | Kellyanne Conway | TV special |
| Funny You Should Ask | Herself | 9 episodes | |
| 2019 | Crank Yankers | Herself (voice) | Episode: "Jimmy Kimmel, Kathy Griffin & Jeff Ross" |
| You | Herself | Episode: "Farewell, My Bunny" | |
| 2022 | Search Party | Liquorice Montague | Recurring |
| 2023 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Herself - Guest | Episode: October 3[130] |
| 2023 | Futurama | Captain Cranky | Voice, episode: "Zapp Gets Canceled" |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | In Search of the Missing Numbers | Negative Number | Educational mathematics video |
| 1980s | Math Rock Countdown | Member of the trio The Products | Educational mathematics video |
On June 10, 2008, Griffin released a comedy CD titledFor Your Consideration.[138] The disc was recorded at the ETK Theatre at the Grand Theatre Center For The Arts inTracy, California on February 17, 2008.[139] Griffin stated she decided to release the CD to try to win aGrammy award.[139]
On August 25, 2009, Griffin released a second comedy album,Suckin' It for the Holidays, in another bid for a Grammy.[140]
Griffin received her third Grammy nomination forKathy Griffin: Does the Bible Belt in 2010,.[141]
On May 4, 2012, the full length version of "I'll Say It", the theme song of her showKathy, was released toiTunes as a single.[142]On August 20, 2012, Griffin released a seven-track EP containing dance remixes of "I'll Say It".[143]
Her fourth and fifth albums are50 and Not Pregnant (2011) andSeaman 1st Class (2012) respectively.
Calm Down Gurrl (2013), her sixth album, won the Grammy forBest Comedy Album at the56th Grammy Awards.
Look at My Butt Crack is her seventh album, it was recorded inLas Vegas and released in 2014.
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Primetime Emmy Awards
Emmy Awards source:[144]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Outstanding Reality Program | Nominated |
| 2007 | Won | ||
| 2008 | Won | ||
| Kathy Griffin: Straight to Hell | Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Kathy Griffin: She'll Cut a Bitch | Nominated | |
| Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Outstanding Reality Program | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Kathy Griffin: Tired Hooker | Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special | Nominated |
Grammy Awards
Grammy Awards source:[145]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | For Your Consideration | Best Comedy Album | Nominated |
| 2009[146] | Suckin' It for the Holidays | Nominated | |
| 2010[147] | Kathy GriffinDoes the Bible Belt | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Kathy Griffin:50 and Not Pregnant | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Kathy Griffin:Seaman 1st Class | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Calm Down Gurrl | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009[148] | Kathy Griffin | Vanguard Award | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Television Producer of the Year Award in Non-Fiction Television | Nominated |
| 2009 | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | Outstanding Female Lead – Comedy Series | Won |
Other
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025[93] | Herself | Advocate of the Year from the magazineThe Advocate | Won |
Their father, John, worked at a Radio Shack; mother Maggie worked as a cashier.
[Ken] molested a boy and a girl who lived in the building he managed. ... For many years, I was shunned from my own family, because I was trying to get my brother Ken arrested.
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