Kathy Greenwood
Encyclopedia
Kathryn "Kathy" Greenwood (born March 21, 1962) is a Canadian
actress and comedienne. She appeared on the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
numerous times, and played Grace Bailey on the Canadian television drama series Wind at My Back
.
, Canada
, and it was clear from an early age she wanted to be a performer; by the time she was in high school at Agincourt Collegiate Institute
, she was usually the star of the school plays and concerts. When it came time to graduate in 1980, she feared that she would never get to act again, until a concerned friend gave her a brochure for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
, where Greenwood spent the next two years studying acting.
In 1987, when she returned to Canada in Toronto
, she managed to find work for a small night club act called A Wedge of Night, which led to her five year stint with the Toronto branch of the famous Second City
comedy troupe; where she served as both a writer and a performer - two of her shows won Dora Mavor Moore awards in 1988, and 1992. Shortly afterwards, she and her friends Jonathan Wilson
, and Ed Sahely
developed what she called their "Second City" spin-off, Not to Be Repeated, in which the three would improvise an entire situation comedy in front of a live audience, based solely on ideas and suggestions that are thrown at them from the audience. Other notable appearances in Canada include the popular sketch shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes
and Royal Canadian Air Farce
.
In 1996, Kathy found regular work on Canadian television on the family drama series Wind at My Back
, where she spent five years, full time, playing Grace Bailey, a junior journalist in a small town in Ontario during The Great Depression; Kathy's portrayal of Grace Bailey was nominated for a Gemini Award
for Best Performance By an Actress in a Continuing Leading Role. In 1999, Kathy was cast as Denise Stanton in the TV movie Switching Goals
, starring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
. Later that same year, Greenwood crossed the border and commuted to Los Angeles, California
to appear on such shows as The Drew Carey Show
, the update version of The Hollywood Squares, and the American version of the improvisation game show Whose Line Is It Anyway?
.
Greenwood is married to television writer John Dolan, with whom she has two daughters, Josephine and Phoebe. Greenwood is also a part of the sketch comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed
, featuring what Eugene Levy
calls "the five funniest women in Canada." The group saw great success in Canada and even found international acclaim with their appearance in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
actress and comedienne. She appeared on the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
numerous times, and played Grace Bailey on the Canadian television drama series Wind at My Back
Wind at My Back
Wind at My Back is a television series which aired in Canada on CBC Television between 1996 and 2001. It was created and produced by Kevin Sullivan, best known for his adaptation of Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea...
.
Biography
Kathy Greenwood was born in Scarborough, OntarioScarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and it was clear from an early age she wanted to be a performer; by the time she was in high school at Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Agincourt Collegiate Institute is a secondary school located in Agincourt, Toronto, Ontario. The school, founded in 1915 as Agincourt Continuation School, became Agincourt High School in 1954, and Agincourt Collegiate Institute in 1957. A.C.I is the oldest school in the former Scarborough...
, she was usually the star of the school plays and concerts. When it came time to graduate in 1980, she feared that she would never get to act again, until a concerned friend gave her a brochure for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
, where Greenwood spent the next two years studying acting.
In 1987, when she returned to Canada in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, she managed to find work for a small night club act called A Wedge of Night, which led to her five year stint with the Toronto branch of the famous Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
comedy troupe; where she served as both a writer and a performer - two of her shows won Dora Mavor Moore awards in 1988, and 1992. Shortly afterwards, she and her friends Jonathan Wilson
Jonathan Wilson
Jonathan Wilson is the name of:* Jonathan Wilson , American Psychedelic Folk musician* Jonathan Wilson, former member of the band Eisley* Jonathan Wilson , British sports journalist and author...
, and Ed Sahely
Ed Sahely
Ed Sahely is a Canadian actor who is best remembered for his role as Possum Lake business entrepreneur Murray Woolworth on the second season of The Red Green Show.-Career:...
developed what she called their "Second City" spin-off, Not to Be Repeated, in which the three would improvise an entire situation comedy in front of a live audience, based solely on ideas and suggestions that are thrown at them from the audience. Other notable appearances in Canada include the popular sketch shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes
This Hour Has 22 Minutes
This Hour Has 22 Minutes is a weekly Canadian television comedy that airs on CBC Television. Launched in 1993 during Canada's 35th general election, the show focuses on Canadian politics, combining news parody, sketch comedy and satirical editorials...
and Royal Canadian Air Farce
Royal Canadian Air Farce
Air Farce Live, also credited as Air Farce, previously Royal Canadian Air Farce, and Air Farce—Final Flight! for the final season, was a Canadian comedy series starring the comedy troupe The Royal Canadian Air Farce that previously starred in an eponymous radio show on CBC radio from 1973 to 1997...
.
In 1996, Kathy found regular work on Canadian television on the family drama series Wind at My Back
Wind at My Back
Wind at My Back is a television series which aired in Canada on CBC Television between 1996 and 2001. It was created and produced by Kevin Sullivan, best known for his adaptation of Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea...
, where she spent five years, full time, playing Grace Bailey, a junior journalist in a small town in Ontario during The Great Depression; Kathy's portrayal of Grace Bailey was nominated for a Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
for Best Performance By an Actress in a Continuing Leading Role. In 1999, Kathy was cast as Denise Stanton in the TV movie Switching Goals
Switching Goals
Switching Goals is a 1999 television movie starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.-Plot:Identical twin sisters Sam and Emma Stanton both play soccer. Sam is a star athlete and a tomboy; however, the only sports her more stylish sister Emma enjoys are fashion and dating...
, starring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
Ashley Olsen
Ashley Fuller Olsen is an American actress, fashion designer, producer, and author. She co-founded luxury fashion brand The Row and the more affordable line Olsenboye with her twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen and started her own fashion company called Elizabeth and James...
. Later that same year, Greenwood crossed the border and commuted to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
to appear on such shows as The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor....
, the update version of The Hollywood Squares, and the American version of the improvisation game show Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
.
Greenwood is married to television writer John Dolan, with whom she has two daughters, Josephine and Phoebe. Greenwood is also a part of the sketch comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed
Women Fully Clothed
Women Fully Clothed is a Canadian live sketch comedy troupe, with a cast of four women, touring throughout the world.-Cast:*Kathy Greenwood *Robin Duke...
, featuring what Eugene Levy
Eugene Levy
Eugene Levy, CM is a Canadian actor, comedian, television director, producer, musician, and writer. He is known for his work in Canadian television series, American movies, and television movies. He is the only actor to have appeared in all eight of the American Pie films, as Noah Levenstein...
calls "the five funniest women in Canada." The group saw great success in Canada and even found international acclaim with their appearance in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Acting
- Flip Phone - 2003 - Kate
- Listen Missy - 2003 - Various Characters
- X.P.M. - 2003 - Laura Macdonald
- I Was a Rat - 2001 - Lucasta Utensil
- The Broad Side - 2001 - Various Characters
- Not to Be Repeated - 2001 - Herself/Various Characters
- Switching GoalsSwitching GoalsSwitching Goals is a 1999 television movie starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.-Plot:Identical twin sisters Sam and Emma Stanton both play soccer. Sam is a star athlete and a tomboy; however, the only sports her more stylish sister Emma enjoys are fashion and dating...
- 1999 - Denise Stanton - The Pooch and the Pauper - 1999 - Kim Corbett
- Hollywood SquaresHollywood SquaresHollywood Squares is an American panel game show in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The "board" for the game is a 3 × 3 vertical stack of open-faced cubes, each occupied by a celebrity seated at a desk and facing the contestants...
- 1998 - Herself - Made in CanadaMade in CanadaMade in Canada is a Canadian television situation comedy which aired on CBC Television from 1998 to 2003. Rick Mercer co-created the program and starred as mercenary TV producer Richard Strong....
- 1998 - Sydney - Whose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
- 1998 - Herself - Once a ThiefOnce a ThiefOnce a Thief may refer to:* Once a Thief , starring Ronald Shiner* Once a Thief * Once a Thief , a Ralph Nelson film starring Alain Delon, Ann-Margret and Jack Palance...
- 1997 - Margot - Wind at My BackWind at My BackWind at My Back is a television series which aired in Canada on CBC Television between 1996 and 2001. It was created and produced by Kevin Sullivan, best known for his adaptation of Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea...
- 1996 - Grace Bailey - The High LifeThe High LifeThe High Life may refer to:* The High Life , a Scottish sitcom* The High Life , a DVD by ska punk band [spunge]* The High Life , an album by hip-hop artist Reef the Lost Cauze...
- 1996 - Judy - Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy - 1996 - Ginny Hurdicure
- House - 1996 - Kathy
- GoosebumpsGoosebumpsGoosebumps is a series of children's horror fiction novels written by American author R. L. Stine and first published by Scholastic Publishing. It is a collection of stories that feature semi-homogenous plot structures, with fictional children being involved in scary situations...
- 1995 - Mrs. Walker - The Drew Carey ShowThe Drew Carey ShowThe Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor....
- 1995 - Kathryn - Squawk BoxSquawk BoxSquawk Box is a business news television program which airs at breakfast time on the CNBC network. The program is currently co-hosted by Joe Kernen, Rebecca Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Since debuting in 1995, the show has spawned a number of versions across CNBC's international channels, many of...
- 1994 - Hostage for a DayHostage for a DayHostage for a Day is a 1994 comedic film starring and directed by Canadian comedian and actor John Candy. Though the film is billed as "starring" Candy, it in fact only features him as a minor character, as a Russian hostage taker....
- 1994 - SWAT One - Royal Canadian Air FarceRoyal Canadian Air FarceAir Farce Live, also credited as Air Farce, previously Royal Canadian Air Farce, and Air Farce—Final Flight! for the final season, was a Canadian comedy series starring the comedy troupe The Royal Canadian Air Farce that previously starred in an eponymous radio show on CBC radio from 1973 to 1997...
- 1993 - Various Characters - Woman on the Run: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story - 1993 - Sylvia Bonner
- This Is My LifeThis is My Life (film)This Is My Life is a 1992 film that marked the directorial debut of screenwriter Nora Ephron. The screenplay, written by Ephron and her sister, Delia Ephron, is based on the book, This Is Your Life, by Meg Wolitzer. The film tells the story of Dottie Ingels , who works at a cosmetics counter but...
- 1992 - Young Matron - This Hour Has 22 MinutesThis Hour Has 22 MinutesThis Hour Has 22 Minutes is a weekly Canadian television comedy that airs on CBC Television. Launched in 1993 during Canada's 35th general election, the show focuses on Canadian politics, combining news parody, sketch comedy and satirical editorials...
- 1992 - Various Characters - Maniac MansionManiac Mansion (TV Series)Maniac Mansion is a Canadian science fiction/family sitcom very loosely based on the LucasArts video game of the same name.The series, filmed entirely in Toronto, Ontario, was produced by Atlantis Films for The Family Channel in the United States and YTV in Canada, and aired for three complete...
- 1990 - Allanuh - The Kids in the HallThe Kids in the HallThe Kids in the Hall is a Canadian sketch comedy group formed in 1984, consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson. Their eponymous television show ran from 1988 to 1994 on CBC in Canada, and 1989 to 1995 on CBS and HBO in the United States...
- 1988 - Various Characters - RoboCopRoboCopRoboCop is a 1987 American science fiction-action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Set in a crime-ridden Detroit, Michigan in the near future, RoboCop centers on a police officer who is brutally murdered and subsequently re-created as a super-human cyborg known as "RoboCop"...
- 1987 - Street LegalStreet legalStreet legal or road legal refers to a vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or light truck that is equipped and licensed for use on public roads...
- 1987 - Jacky Kepler - The Second CityThe Second CityThe Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
- Born Talking
- Lucky Peach
- Captain FlamingoCaptain FlamingoCaptain Flamingo is a Canadian animated television series, which chronicles the adventures of the protagonist and main character Milo Powell Captain Flamingo is a Canadian animated television series, which chronicles the adventures of the protagonist and main character Milo Powell Captain Flamingo...
- Margerie Powell
Awards and nominations
- 1992 - Won - Dora Mavor Moore Award - Outstanding New Revue or Musical - The Second CityThe Second CityThe Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
- 1996 - Nominated - Gemini Award - Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Role - Wind at My BackWind at My BackWind at My Back is a television series which aired in Canada on CBC Television between 1996 and 2001. It was created and produced by Kevin Sullivan, best known for his adaptation of Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea...
- 1998 - Won - Dora Mavor Moore Award - Outstanding New Revue or Musical - The Second CityThe Second CityThe Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
- 2000 - Won - Canadian Comedy Award - Best Female Improviser
- 2005 - Nominated - Canadian Comedy Award - Best Sketch Troupe - Women Fully ClothedWomen Fully ClothedWomen Fully Clothed is a Canadian live sketch comedy troupe, with a cast of four women, touring throughout the world.-Cast:*Kathy Greenwood *Robin Duke...