Actress and comedian Wendi McLendon-Covey was chosen to interview guests on the red carpet before this year’s Oscar ceremony. McLendon-Covey joined Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan, The View co-host Sara Haines, Vanity Fair editor Krista Smith and IMDB correspondent Dave Karger for ABC’s pre Oscar special March 4.
Here are 5 things you didn’t know about Wendi McLendon-Covey.
How she got her start
Wendi Anne McLendon was born in Bellflower, California on October 10, 1969. She grew up in suburban California with her mom Carolyn, dad David and her younger sister. Wendi graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Liberal Arts and Creative Writing. Following graduation, she worked at a hotel in Aneheim and took a weekend course for non-actors at the famous Los Angeles improvisational company The Groundlings. Wendi also worked on the Academic Journal of Social Work for California State University, a job she kept even after she became a successful actress. Wendi married Producer Greg Covey in 1996. The couple reside in Signal Hill, California.
Reno 911!
A natural at improvisation, Wendi became a member of The Groundlings and worked with fellow actresses Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, who she would later work on “Bridesmaids” with. From 2003 through 2008, Wendi starred as Deputy Clementine Johnson on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911!”. The comedy series about a Nevada police department helped Wendi exercise her comic and acting skills. Following the end of the series, Wendi starred in comedies including Lifetime’s “Lovespring Eternal” in 2006.
Bridesmaids
Wendi McLendon-Covey was chosen to be a part of the hilarious ensemble cast in friend Kristen Wiig’s hit comedy film “Bridesmaids” in 2011. Wendi played Rita, a cousin of the bride who desperately needs a break from her life with a husband and young sons. Wendi’s film career took off after “Bridesmaids”. She was cast in 2012’s “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”, 2014’s “The Single Mom’s Club”, “Think Like a Mom Too”, and “Blended”. In 2015 McLendon-Covey was in “Hello, My Name Is Doris”.
The Goldbergs
While pursuing her budding film career, Wendi McLendon-Covey began playing the role of mom Beverly Goldberg in the ABC comedy series “The Goldbergs” starring alongside comedian Jeff Garlin. She has been nominated twice for the Critic’s Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The show focuses on the lives of the Goldberg family living in the 1980’s. The sitcom was created by Adam F. Goldberg and is based on his life growing up in Pennsylvania. Goldberg videotaped many events of his life as a boy growing up in the 1980’s and many of the shows scenes are based on those memories. “The Goldbergs” is currently in its fifth season.
What else is she up to
Wendi McClendon-Covey continues to act in “The Goldbergs”. She has also made guest appearances on Fox’s “I Hate My Teenage Daughter”, TV Land’s “Hot In Cleveland”, and ABC’s “Modern Family”. The comedian also was featured in a national advertising campaign for Hillshire Farm. McClendon-Covey was excited to be chosen to interview stars on the Oscar’s Red Carpet for ABC this year. She continues to hone her comic skills. She also works as a writer and a producer. She is enjoying the career she worked hard for and was meant to have.
