Where Mimi From ‘The Drew Carey Show’ Is Now

If you’re a fan of ‘90s TV, you may be curious to know what happened to Mimi from Drew Carey Show. Kathy Kinney was the iconic sitcom star for almost a decade. But, after the show’s cancellation in 2004, Kinney became much less famous in the celebrity spotlight. What happened to Mimi Bobeck, the flamboyant and devious actress? Here’s a look at what the 67-year-old actress is up to today.

Kathy Kinney’s Acting Career

(Warner Bros. International Television Distribution/Getty Images).

Kathy Kinney was born in Stevens Point (Wisconsin) on November 3, 1954. She says that entertainment and make-believe were her inspirations from the beginning.

“I think that I had a very well-rounded but creative, full-of-imagination childhood,” Kinney said in a 2016 interview with the Wausau Daily Herald. “I grew up on the block with a very large cemetery and played in that cemetery almost every day. In there, I created all these worlds I could lose myself in—a headstone became my horse as I galloped across the plains, and mausoleums were the dance halls where I tap-danced as a showgirl.”

Kinney began her career in comedy as a young adult and began practicing her improvisation skills at New York City’s comedy clubs. She was offered a part in the movie “The Movie” in 1986. Parting GlancesShe was inspired to move to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time acting career. She started getting bit parts in early ’90’s movies such as Stanley & Iris, Arachnophobia, This Boy’s LifeHe played small, but important roles in TV shows like Seinfeld, Grace Under Fire and Full House, Boy Meets WorldAndThe Larry Sanders Show.In 1995, she was offered the career-changing position of Mimi Bobeck. Drew Carey Show.

Mimi was originally only supposed to appear on the pilot episode. Drew Carey Show, but Kinney’s performance was so impressive that she was written into the series as a regular cast member. For the next nine years, Kinney played one of the most recognizable characters on TV, which the actress says she’s still grateful for to this day.

“It was about me playing this woman who had the biggest, best self-esteem in the world, you know,” Kinney explained in a 2018 interview with Parade magazine. “And the space between who I really was and who Mimi the character was, became much smaller until we sort of merged. Now, I don’t wear blue eyeshadow—in fact, I’m really happy to not wear any makeup at all anymore. But I think, you know, everybody should be allowed or given the gift to play someone as vivid as her, because it certainly changed my life for the better.”

After a very successful run, Drew Carey ShowIn 2004, the station was taken off-air. Kinney continued to work on TV, but in a more limited capacity. She appeared on shows like My Name is Earl, The Penguins of Madagascar. The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Love Bites. She also reprised Mimi Bobeck’s role for two guest spots The Price is RightDrew Carey, former co-star of the show, hosted the show in 2009 and 2010. The show aired 19 episodes. Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza2011.

Her New Ventures

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 13: Authors Cindy Ratzlaff (L) and Kathy Kinney pose with their book "Queen Life" in the trade show during the 2014 Texas Conference For Women at Austin Convention Center on November 13, 2014 in Austin, Texas.
(Photo by Rick Kern/Getty images for Texas Conference for Women).

Kathy Kinney is now a multi-talented actress who has expanded her television and movie career. She co-authored the book with Cindy Ratzlaff in 2010. Queen of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman’s Guide to Claiming Happiness and Getting the Life You Deserve. Designed to be an inspirational self-help guide for women, the book uses “humor and common sense [to] offer you our tried-and-true actions to blast away at the societal tall tale that young is beautiful and old is just old,” the authors write in the intro. “With our seven simple steps, we will help you let go of the negative thoughts that keep you from fully admiring and accepting yourself just the way you are—a woman in full bloom, valuable, sensual, vibrant, wise, and more beautiful than ever.”

A follow-up book was published by Kinney & Ratzlaff in 2013. Queenisms 101 Jolts Of Inspiration They also launched a lifestyle website and brand based on their books. Queenofyourownlife.com.The former sitcom star said she enjoys sharing inspirational messages with her followers and encourages them all to be their cheerleaders in everyday life. “How often do you stop and make eye contact with yourself and say, ‘This day is going to be a great adventure and you’re the person brave enough and bold enough to enjoy it?’” she told the Wausau Daily Herald. “It’s about taking the time to send yourself a positive message.”

The Queen of Your Life brand also offers a YouTube channelThis website features webisodes, videos and messages of inspiration by Kinney.

Kinney is a published author and entrepreneur but still enjoys playing fun characters. She’s the co-creator of MrsP.com, a storytelling website for kids that features the actress as a sweet and lively woman (Mrs. P.) who reads classic children’s stores from her Magic Library.

Kathy Kinney’s Net Worth

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05:  Actress Kathy Kinney attends the 2014 Best In Drag Show at the Orpheum Theatre on October 5, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images).

According to CelebrityNetWorth.comKathy Kinney has an estimated net worth $5 million. Because Drew Carey Show ran long enough to make it into syndication, we’re guessing a big chunk of her fortune comes from residuals from the show, in addition to the nine years of TV paychecks she collected. Her books were also very popular and are still being sold in major bookstores as well as on Amazon.

We’re so glad to see this iconic sitcom actress is doing well!