Kathy Najimy Net Worth

What is Kathy Najimy's net worth and salary?

Kathy Najimy is an American actress and comedian who has a net worth of $8 million.

Kathy Najimy is best known for her work in "Sister Act," "Hocus Pocus," "King of the Hill," and a long list of film, television, and stage projects. She first gained attention as part of the feminist comedy duo behind "The Kathy & Mo Show," then broke through to mainstream audiences in the early 1990s as Sister Mary Patrick in "Sister Act" and Mary Sanderson in "Hocus Pocus." Najimy's career has been defined by her expressive comic timing, warm screen presence, and ability to make supporting characters unforgettable. She has also built one of the most recognizable voice acting résumés of her generation, most notably as Peggy Hill on the animated series "King of the Hill." Beyond entertainment, Najimy has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ rights, animal welfare, reproductive freedom, and progressive political causes, making activism a central part of her public identity.

Early Life

Kathy Najimy was born Kathy Ann Najimy on February 6, 1957, in San Diego, California. She was raised in a Lebanese-American Catholic family. Her father, Fred Najimy, was a postal worker, and her mother, Samia, was a homemaker. Najimy's father died when she was young, and she was raised primarily by her mother.

Najimy became interested in performance early in life and eventually moved into comedy, theater, and writing. Before becoming a recognizable film and television actress, she developed her voice through stage work and sketch comedy, where her political point of view and comic instincts became closely connected.

The Kathy & Mo Show

Najimy's first major success came through her collaboration with Mo Gaffney. Together, they created and performed "The Kathy & Mo Show," a two-woman stage production built around sharp character sketches, feminist humor, religion, sex, gender politics, and social expectations.

The show became a cult success and was eventually filmed for HBO, introducing Najimy and Gaffney to a wider audience. "The Kathy & Mo Show" helped establish Najimy as a performer who could combine comedy with pointed social commentary. It also set the tone for much of her later career, which often blended humor, politics, and empathy.

Sister Act and Film Breakthrough

Najimy reached mainstream movie audiences in 1992 with "Sister Act," starring Whoopi Goldberg. Najimy played Sister Mary Patrick, the cheerful and enthusiastic nun whose upbeat personality made her one of the film's most memorable supporting characters. The movie was a major box office hit and became one of the defining comedies of the early 1990s.

She reprised the role in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" in 1993. The two films gave Najimy a signature screen role and helped make her a familiar face to a broad audience. Her performance worked because she brought sweetness and physical comedy to the character without turning her into a one-note joke.

Hocus Pocus

Najimy earned another career-defining role in 1993 when she played Mary Sanderson in Disney's "Hocus Pocus." Starring alongside Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, Najimy helped create one of the most beloved witch trios in family-film history.

Although "Hocus Pocus" was not an immediate blockbuster when first released, it became a Halloween classic through television airings, home video, and generational nostalgia. Najimy's performance as Mary, with her crooked smile, odd vocal patterns, and goofy loyalty to her sisters, became one of the film's most recognizable elements.

She returned to the role nearly three decades later in "Hocus Pocus 2," released in 2022. The sequel reunited Najimy, Midler, and Parker and introduced the Sanderson sisters to a new generation of viewers.

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Television and Voice Work

Najimy has worked steadily in television for decades. Her credits include appearances on shows such as "Veronica's Closet," "Veep," "Younger," "The Big C," "Desperate Housewives," "Drop Dead Diva," "Numb3rs," and "Ugly Betty." She has also appeared in numerous television movies, specials, and guest roles.

Her most important television work came as the voice of Peggy Hill on "King of the Hill." Najimy voiced Peggy for the entire original run of the series from 1997 to 2010. Peggy, the confident, flawed, funny, and sometimes delusional wife of Hank Hill, became one of the show's central characters. Najimy's voice performance gave Peggy warmth, stubbornness, pride, and comic self-importance, helping make her one of the most distinctive animated sitcom characters of the era.

Najimy's voice work also includes roles in "Cats Don't Dance," "WALL-E," "The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story," "Tinker Bell," and other animated projects.

Other Film Roles

In addition to "Sister Act" and "Hocus Pocus," Najimy has appeared in films including "Soapdish," "The Fisher King," "This Is My Life," "Jeffrey," "Rat Race," "The Wedding Planner," "Hope Floats," "Madea Christmas," and "Single All the Way." She has often been cast as a friend, comic foil, eccentric authority figure, or scene-stealing supporting presence.

Her career has never depended on conventional leading roles. Instead, Najimy has built a long-lasting résumé by making supporting parts feel specific and memorable.

Activism and Personal Life

Najimy has long been known for her activism. She has supported LGBTQ rights, feminist causes, reproductive rights, AIDS awareness, animal rights, and anti-discrimination efforts. Her advocacy has included public speaking, fundraising, campaign work, and participation in political and charitable organizations.

Najimy married actor and comedian Dan Finnerty, best known as the creator and lead singer of The Dan Band, in 1995. The couple has a daughter, Samia Finnerty, who became a singer and songwriter.

Real Estate

In September 1994, Kathy and Dan paid $550 thousand for a home in a gated community just off Mulholland Drive, high up in the hills of Los Angeles. They sold this home in 2013 for $2 million. In 2015, Kathy and Dan paid $2.6 million for a 2,500-square-foot apartment in New York City's Carnegie House building.

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