In a culture often obsessed with thinness, the story of Kathy Kinney, best known for her role as Mimi Bobeck on The Drew Carey Show, offers a refreshing perspective. This isn't just a tale of weight loss or gain; it's a narrative of resilience, astute career management, and the careful preservation of personal privacy amidst the glare of Hollywood. Kinney's journey is a testament to her comedic genius, her understanding of the entertainment industry, and her ability to craft her own narrative both on and off-screen.
Early Career and the Evolution of Mimi Bobeck
Kinney's career began in comedy clubs, honing her skills through countless stand-up performances. This early experience provided the foundation for her later success, teaching her comedic timing and the intricacies of show business. She also worked for the California Conservation Corps between 1972 and 1974 and landed small roles in various TV series such as Seinfeld, Grace Under Fire, Full House, Boy Meets World, The Larry Sanders Show and My Name Is Earl. Her first memorable television role is generally considered her regular stint on Newhart as Miss Goddard, the town librarian (1989-1990). Her performances in feature films include Arachnophobia, Stanley & Iris, Scrooged, Three Fugitives, Lenny the Wonder Dog, and This Boy's Life.
The role of Mimi Bobeck, initially intended as a one-time appearance, became a defining moment in Kinney's career. Mimi, the smart-mouthed, hostile, super-sized fat woman who wears bright colors and make-up so garish as to be just this side of a circus clown. The character evolved beyond garish outfits, unabashed meanness and aggressive jokes-without ever losing the outfits, meanness and jokes. Kinney's performance, full of gusto, passion, and vulnerability, transformed Mimi from a potentially stereotypical character into a complex and memorable figure. In the course of the series, Mimi reveals that make-up has turned her life around. At one point she confides, she did not have so much self-confidence. Now she has the self-esteem to take what she wants, be it sexual fulfillment, riding on a float in a parade as a princess or kidnapping her boss and running the store by forging his signature on memos.
Despite the character's popularity, Mimi's weight was sometimes the subject of jokes. While some reports suggest Kinney had mixed feelings about this aspect of the role, she undeniably brought Mimi to life with undeniable talent and humor. Her performance challenged conventional representations of larger women on television, even if the humor occasionally relied on stereotypes.
The Drew Carey Show and Weight-Related Storylines
The Drew Carey Show, which aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004, often incorporated humor related to weight. Drew Carey himself, a large man, was frequently the target of fat jokes. However, the show also explored the complexities of body image and relationships in a more nuanced way.
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One notable storyline involved Drew's relationship with Nicki Fifer, played by Kate Walsh. Nicki, who used to be nearly 100 pounds heavier, begins to regain weight during their relationship, leading to her self-esteem problems resurfacing. The show addressed the myth of successful weight loss and the taboo surrounding weight regain, a topic rarely explored on television.
Drew was shown as supportive and still affectionate as she regained the weight. The woman ended up breaking off the engagement on the eve of the wedding due to problems accepting herself at a larger size. Whether this whole storyline would pass a modern audience's sensitivity test is debatable; as with everything involving Drew's crossdressing brother, Steve (John Carroll Lynch), it feels like a different era's idea of progressive television. But Carey and his writing stuff were after something real with the Nicki arc.
The series even flirted with the idea of an attraction between Drew and Mimi, challenging the typical portrayal of large women as undesirable. In one episode, the two characters have an online cyber-sex encounter in a computer chat room, using aliases. To his horror, Drew discovers Mimi's identity when she mentions her troll dolls and that she works in a department store.
Breaking Barriers and Challenging Stereotypes
Kinney's portrayal of Mimi Bobeck resonated with many viewers, particularly within the fat-rights community. The character was seen as a strong and powerful woman who liked the way she looked, challenging the stick-figure images women are often expected to emulate. As Marilyn Wann, editor of the San Francisco 'zine FAT'SO! noted, "Kathy Kinney is an incredibly strong, powerful character because she likes the way she looks. In the fat community, half of us went as Mimi for Halloween."
However, some critics argued that Mimi was portrayed in a negative light, as a grotesque and devilish figure, while Drew Carey, also a larger person, was portrayed as likable and warm. This disparity highlights the societal tendency to view large women more negatively than large men.
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As Beth Anne Shelton, a professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Arlington, explains, "The emphasis on women being small reflects our comfort with women who are not powerful. And women aren't supposed to be powerful; men are."
A Strategic Career and Business Ventures
Beyond her acting career, Kinney has demonstrated a keen understanding of the entertainment industry and a strategic approach to her career. Recognizing the evolving media landscape, she launched MrsP.com, a website dedicated to children's education and literacy. This venture showcases her forward-thinking approach and has undoubtedly contributed to her long-term financial success.
Her estimated net worth of over $5 million speaks volumes about her astute career choices and shrewd financial management. This isn't just about landing a successful TV role; it's about building a multifaceted career that has allowed her to maintain control and independence.
Strategic Privacy and Image Management
In an era of constant media scrutiny, Kinney has maintained a remarkably private personal life. This deliberate decision to control the narrative and protect her personal space is a key component of her success. By avoiding the pitfalls of tabloid drama, she has been able to focus on her craft and maintain a level of personal freedom rare in Hollywood.
While information about any weight loss journeys remains scarce, respecting Kinney's privacy is paramount. Her personal health choices are her own, and her professional achievements stand on their merit, irrespective of any perceived physical changes.
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Continued Work and Appearances
Kinney and Carey have performed many times since working together on his sitcom. Kinney appeared in the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, hosted by Carey and also on ABC. They appeared in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (another series on ABC), contemporaneous with The Drew Carey Show's second season). In 2006, she visited Iraq with Carey and his Improv All-Star Team, a series of USO performances for American troops; as a result, she appears in the documentary film Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie. On March 24, 2009, Kinney appeared in character as Mimi in the beginning of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. A week later, on April Fools' Day, Kinney reprised her role as Mimi during that day's The Price Is Right, hosted by Carey, appearing as a guest model. She repeated the role on April Fool's Day in 2010, this time usurping the post of executive producer. She replaced the show's announcer with a man in a monkey suit along with using four male models. Beginning in March 2011, Kinney appeared in Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza TV gameshow. In September 2019, Kinney appeared in the episode "Bigger Kids, Bigger Problems" of the TV series American Housewife. She guest starred on the animated TV series The Penguins of Madagascar as Rhonda the walrus, Marlene's disgusting roommate, in the 2009 episode "Roomies".