Nicole Sullivan (born April 21, 1970) is an American actress and comedian best known for being a cast member on the sketch comedy series MADtv for six seasons (1995–2001). She also played Holly Shumpert in five seasons (2001–2005, 2007) of the CBS sitcom The King of Queens.

Nicole Sullivan
Sullivan in 2023
Born (1970-04-21) April 21, 1970 (age 54)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active1990–present
Spouse
Jason Packham
(m. 2006)
Children2

Sullivan played the recurring character of Jill Tracy on Scrubs. She voiced heroic Mira Nova in the Disney/Pixar series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and the villainous Shego in the Disney Channel series Kim Possible. She had recurring voice roles on Family Guy and voiced Franny Robinson in Disney's 2007 film Meet the Robinsons. From 2008 to 2009, she starred in and was the lead of her own Lifetime television series Rita Rocks. From 2008 to 2013, she voiced Marlene the Otter in The Penguins of Madagascar. She played Jules' (Courteney Cox) therapist, Lynn Mettler, on the comedy Cougar Town. She portrayed Lyla in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine in 2012. In 2013, she starred in the short-lived Nickelodeon sitcom Wendell & Vinnie as Wilma Basset. From 2014 to 2022, she portrayed Janine, the Johnsons' next-door neighbor, on the ABC sitcom Black-ish. She also voices Kara Danvers aka Supergirl in DC Super Hero Girls.

Early life

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Sullivan was born in Manhattan[1] on April 21, 1970.[2] She took dance classes at age 7 and performed in Off Broadway and Broadway productions with the First All-Children's Theatre. Sullivan's mother Madonna (née Rauscher) Sullivan, a businesswoman, and her father Edward C. Sullivan, who represented Manhattan's 69th district in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 2002, moved the family upstate to Middleburgh, New York, in 1982.[3] During high school, Sullivan was class treasurer throughout her junior year. She played soccer in high school, recorded statistics for the boys' basketball team and was a member of student council.

After graduating from Middleburgh in 1987,[4] she attended Northwestern University as a theatre major. She worked two jobs to pay her way through college and writing plays and sketches for the student theatre. Sullivan spent her junior year in London, studying at the British American Drama Academy and became a member of the Greenwich Shakespeare Company. Sullivan graduated from Northwestern and then moved to Los Angeles to start a television career. After appearing in commercials and sporadic guest roles on shows including Herman's Head, she was recruited to join the cast of MADtv.

Career

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MADtv

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Sullivan was among the original cast members on Fox's MADtv when it premiered in 1995. She created numerous characters; her most popular was the mean-spirited Vancome Lady. Sullivan's other characters included X-News reporter Amy, dimwitted Antonia, Eracists leader Debbie, News at 6's Diane Lawyer-Trabajo (pronounced "trebalyo"), racist country singer Darlene McBride, and Latina bimbo Lida. Sullivan appeared with Michael McDonald in a MADtv sketch about making an audition tape to appear on Law & Order that mocked their acting prowess; she later guest-starred in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season one episode "Contact". Sullivan was featured in the November/December 2009 issue of Making Music Magazine.[5]

The King of Queens

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Sullivan played the role of Holly Shumpert from 2001 to 2005. She returned in 2007 to reprise the role for the final season. In most of the show, Holly's profession is a dog walker. The Heffernans hire her to 'walk' Arthur, Carrie's father, to get him some exercise and keep him out of mischief.

Voice acting projects

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Sullivan was originally cast as Turanga Leela, one of the main characters of the animated series Futurama, but the role was recast with Katey Sagal before the show began production.[6][7]

Sullivan has voiced Marlene the Otter on The Penguins of Madagascar – the first television series of the Madagascar franchise – which aired on Nickelodeon, Shego on Kim Possible; Joan of Arc on Clone High; Mira Nova on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command; and Joan on the Family Guy episode, "I Take Thee Quagmire", along with several other one time voices on the show. Sullivan has also starred in a pilot called Me and My Needs that was rejected by ABC. She played Franny Robinson in Meet the Robinsons. Also, Sullivan was a voice actor in the Monsters, Inc. video game. She played Luna in the 2007 video game Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. In 2012, she also provided the voice of Supergirl in Super Best Friends Forever, a series of animated shorts which aired on Cartoon Network's DC Nation block.[8] with the role carrying on to television series DC Super Hero Girls,[9] which led to appearances on Teen Titans Go! and a direct-to-video crossover film Teen Titans Go! & DC Superhero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse, which was released on May 24, 2022.[10]

Personal life

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Sullivan is married to actor Jason Packham. They have two sons, born May 2007[11] and August 2009.[12]

Sullivan won the first edition of Celebrity Poker Showdown, donating $100,000 to the charity Alley Cat Allies.

Sullivan also made an appearance in an episode of It's Me or the Dog along with her husband, their then twenty-month-old son Dashel (Dash), their three cats, and their four mixed-breed dogs: Paco (a Chihuahua mix), Jackson (a Lab mix), Donut (a Great Pyrenees mix), and Funzies (a Catahoula Leopard mix).

In November 2021, Sullivan listed her home in Hollywood Hills for 1.45 million dollars.[13]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 Bar Hopping Mara
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins Mira Nova Voice, direct-to-video[14]
2002 The Third Wheel Sally Uncredited
2005 Guess Who Liz Klein
Sesame Street's All-Star Alphabet Letter A Direct-to-video
2006 The Ant Bully Ant #9 Voice[14]
2007 Meet the Robinsons Franny
2008 Superhero Movie Julia Riker
2009 Black Dynamite Patricia Nixon
17 Again Naomi
2014 Eat with Me Maureen
2016 Pee-wee's Big Holiday Shelly Netflix original film[15]
2018 I'll Be Next Door for Christmas Ms. James
2022 Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse Supergirl Voice, direct-to-video[16]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 Herman's Head Young Woman Episode: "The Last Boy Scout"
1994 Party of Five Terry Episode: "Private Lives"
Diagnosis: Murder Nurse #1 Episode: "Murder Most Vial"
Models Inc. Elaine Episode: "Of Models and Men"
1995–2001,
2003–05, 2016
MADtv Various 142 episodes
1997 The Drew Carey Show Diane Pulaski Episode: "Drew Gets Married"
1997–98 Fired Up Debbie 2 episodes
1999 Pepper Ann Tundra Woman Voice, episode: "Dances with Ignorance/Girl Power"
Suddenly Susan Claire Teevens, Nate's ex-wife Episode: "The Cheerleaders"
2000 Daddio Miss Lang Episode: "Of Mice and Math"
Talk to Me Kat Munroe 3 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jen Caulder Episode: "Contact"
Titus Carol Episode: "Tommy's Girlfriend"
2000–01 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Mira Nova, additional voices Voice, 60 episodes[14]
2000–02 Baby Blues Bizzy Voice, 13 episodes
2000–21 Family Guy Muriel Goldman, various characters Voice, 34 episodes
2001–07 The King of Queens Holly Shumpert, Marilyn 50 episodes
2001–09 Scrubs Jill Tracy 6 episodes
2001 According to Jim Alicia Episode: "Andy's Girlfriend"
2002 Teamo Supremo Fabrica Voice, episode: "Attack of the Stuffed Stuff"
2002–07 Kim Possible Shego, Miss Go; additional voices Voice, 45 episodes
2002, 2023–present Clone High Joan of Arc, Marie Curie Voice, 23 episodes
2003 Less than Perfect Deirdre Bishop 2 episodes
Rugrats Debbie / Customer Voice, episode: "Baby Sale/Steve"[14]
Miss Match Rachel Episode: "Addicted to Love"
Stanley Farmer Julie Voice, episode: "Doing Like Ducks/Speedy Does It"
2004 Crank Yankers Esperanza Thomas Voice, 1 episode
2005 Monk Janet Novak Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Kid"
Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama Shego Voice, television film
Lilo & Stitch: The Series Voice, episode: "Rufus"
Hot Properties Chloe Reid 13 episodes
2006 Boston Legal Joan Rubin Episode: "...There's Fire!"
Brandy & Mr. Whiskers Gerri Voice, 2 episodes
2007 Raines Carolyn Crumley [17]
My Boys Kimmie 2 episodes
2007–09 Slacker Cats Louise Voice, 11 episodes
2008 Head Case Herself 2 episodes
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nancy Twicker Episode: "Bull"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Miss Klotz Episode: "Let Us Entertain You"
2008–09 Rita Rocks Rita Clemens 40 episodes
2008–10 The Secret Saturdays Drew Saturday Voice, 25 episodes[14]
2009 Leverage Heather Moscone Episode: "The Wedding Job"
It's Me or the Dog Herself Episode: "Hollywood Hounds"
True Jackson, VP Kreuftlva Episode: "True Parade"
2009–15 The Penguins of Madagascar Marlene Voice, 59 episodes[14]
2010 Numb3rs Nancy Hackett Episode: "Scratch"
The Doctors Herself Guest
Firebreather Dr. Pytel Voice, television film[14]
2010–11 $#*! My Dad Says Bonnie 18 episodes
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Guest judge for "Queens Behind Bars"
The Game Sadie Episode: "Let Them Eat (Cup)cake!"
Super Best Friends Forever Supergirl Voice, TV short
Let It Shine Lyla, Roxie's stylist Disney Channel Original Movie
2012–13 Cougar Town Lynn Mettler 7 episodes
2013 The Exes Melanie Episode: "My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding"
Wendell and Vinnie Wilma Baset 20 episodes[18]
2014 The Middle Vicki Episode: "The Walk"
TripTank Sarah, Caitlin Voice, 3 episodes[14]
Devious Maids Molly Episode: "The Visit"
See Dad Run Brooke Episode: "See Dad Live at Five"
2014, 2019 BoJack Horseman Tracy; Fan Girl; Party-goer Voice, 3 episodes
2014–22 Black-ish Janine 23 episodes[19]
2015 Grey's Anatomy J.J. Episode: "She's Leaving Home"
Bones Joanne DeMarco Episode: "The Big Beef at the Royal Diner"
2016 Mutt & Stuff Jenny Jasper Episode: "Goat in 60 Seconds!"
The Thundermans Doggin Episode: "Dog Day After-School"
2016 Worst Cooks in America Celebrity Edition Herself Contestant
2016–20 Rusty Rivets Samantha 78 episodes
2017, 2019 Mom Leanne 2 episodes
2017 Girlboss Teresa 2 episodes
The Mindy Project Dr. Witzel Episode: "A Romantical Decouplement"
2017–18 Disjointed Maria Sherman 16 episodes
2018 Corporate Linda Lee Episode: "Remember Day"
Liverspots and Astronots Big Man, Debra Voice, 21 episodes
2018, 2020–21 Big Hero 6: The Series Stern Woman, Hangry Panda Voice, 6 episodes[14]
2018 Alone Together Becky Episode: "Dog Awards"
The Boss Baby: Back in Business Inside Mom Voice, episode: "Par Avion"[14]
2019 Middle School Moguls Mogul Stern Voice, 2 episodes
9-1-1 Deborah Episode: "Monsters"
2019–20 Team Kaylie Principal Dana 8 episodes
2019–22 DC Super Hero Girls Kara Danvers / Supergirl / Power Girl, Bizarro, Beatrice Zeul, various voices Voice, main role[14]
2019 Harley Quinn Mrs. Copplepot, Benjamin Voice, episode: "A High Bar"[14]
2019-22 High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Carol 3 episodes
2020 Will & Grace Ruth Episode: "Filthy Phil, Part 1"
2020–21 Bob Hearts Abishola Lorraine 3 episodes
Teen Titans Go! Kara Danvers / Supergirl Voice, 5 episodes[14]
2021 All Rise Bea Greer Episode: "Bette Davis Eyes"
Good Girls Teacher Episode: "One Night in Bangkok"
The Sex Lives of College Girls Carol Finkle 2 episodes
HouseBroken Little Cookie, others Voice 5 episodes
The Neighborhood Alexis Episode: "Welcome to the Sister from Another Mister"
2022 Murderville Rebecca Hendricks Episode: "The Cold Case"
2023 Last Week Tonight Pam Episode: "Homeowner associations (HOAs)"
Raven's Home Miss Liza Episode: “Lizard Let Lie"
American Born Chinese Robin Episode: "Beyond Repair"
2024 That Girl Lay Lay Ms. Nay Nay Episode: "Out the App 2: E-Lay-Lay-tric Boogaloo"

Video games

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Year Title Voice role
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Mira Nova[14]
2002 Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist Shego
2006 Kim Possible: What's the Switch?
2007 Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Luna[14]
Meet the Robinsons Franny
2009 FusionFall Drew Saturday
The Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th Sun Drew Saturday[14]
2011 Penguins of Madagascar: Dr. Blowhole Returns – Again Marlene
DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power Supergirl / Kara Danvers[14]

References

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  1. ^ Moore, Frazier (December 18, 1996). "Viewers are mad about 'Mad-TV's' Nicole Sullivan". Centre Daily Times. State College, PA. Associated Press. p. 10C – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Almanac: Today's Birthdays; Nicole Sullivan". Northwest Herald. Crystal Lake, IL. Associated Press. April 21, 2002. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Hughes, Mike (February 16, 1996). "Ed Sullivan's daughter gets her big break on 'Mad-TV'". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs, CA. Gannett News Service. p. B6 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ [1] Archived June 19, 2004, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Features – Garage Groove". Making Music Magazine. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  6. ^ Ken P. (August 22, 2005). "IGN Interviews Billy West". IGN. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Itzkoff, David (June 24, 2010). "'Futurama'-Rama: Welcome Back to the World of Tomorrow". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  8. ^ "Interview: Becoming 'Super Best Friends Forever' With Lauren Faust". MTV. March 2, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  9. ^ Barr, Calvin (February 15, 2019). ""DC Super Hero Girls": Sweet Justice Trailer Previews Cartoon Network Series". Screen Rant.
  10. ^ Perine, Aaron (May 6, 2022). "Cartoon Network Teases Teen Titans Go & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse Premiere". ComicBook. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "Nicole Sullivan welcomes a son". People. May 13, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Meet Beckett Edward Packham!". People. August 31, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  13. ^ "Nicole Sullivan lists her treehouse home in the Hollywood Hills for $1.45 million". www.homesandgardens.com. November 16, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Nicole Sullivan (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 29, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  15. ^ "The Family Comedy Hidden Gem You Can Stream On Netflix". www.looper.com. May 10, 2021.
  16. ^ "'Teen Titans Go!' & 'DC Super Hero Girls' Team Up for 'Mayhem in the Multiverse'". www.animationmagazine.net.
  17. ^ Lowry, Brian (March 9, 2007). "Raines". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 810134503. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019. A crime procedural tweaked with the slimmest of gimmicks, 'Raines' largely boils down to one's appreciation of star Jeff Goldblum, who occupies center stage in practically every scene. Relative to riskier dramas, it seems a reasonably safe bet, though it's hardly the sort of series people will rush home to see.
  18. ^ Patten, Dominic; Andreeva, Nellie (June 26, 2012). "Nicole Sullivan Joins 'Wendell & Vinnie', Trio In 'Finishing School', 'Crash' Recasts Lead". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "ENCHANTING OASIS OF TV'S 'BLACK-ISH' STAR NICOLE SULLIVAN!". toptenrealestatedeals.com.
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