Miriam Flynn

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Miriam Flynn
Born (1952-06-18) June 18, 1952 (age 71)
OccupationActress
Years active1979–present
SpouseWill Aldis
Children2
External image
image icon Miriam Flynn IMDb photo

Miriam Flynn (born June 18, 1952)[1] is an American voice and character actress. She is best known as Cousin Catherine in the National Lampoon's Vacation and Grandma Longneck in The Land Before Time franchises. She has acted in other films and in several television series, the latter including a recurring role as Sister Helen on the Fox/WB sitcom Grounded for Life.

Career[edit]

Second City[edit]

Before breaking into television, Flynn was a member of the Second City improv troupe in 1975. She appeared on stage alongside Shelley Long, George Wendt, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, and James Belushi.

Film and television[edit]

Flynn was a regular cast member in The Tim Conway Show, a comedy-variety show that aired on CBS from March 1980 through summer 1981, acting in sketch comedy in each episode.[2]: 1203  She then starred in her own sitcom, Maggie, on ABC, but the show was short-lived, airing in October and November 1981 and in April–May 1982 before being cancelled.[2]: 720  She appeared in an episode of the classic television show Cheers entitled "Love Thy Neighbor" (Season 4, Episode 8, air date November 21, 1985) in which she played Phyllis Henshaw, Norm & Vera Peterson's next-door neighbor. In fall 1988, she co-starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom Raising Miranda.[2]: 977 

In 1995, she was the voice of Maa the Ewe in the hit film, Babe. In 1996–1997, she was a regular cast member in Malcolm & Eddie, playing Kelly, a bar owner and landlord to the main characters, for the program's first season.[2]: 726 

From 2001 to 2005 she played the recurring character Sister Helen on the Fox/WB sitcom Grounded for Life. In 2004, she played Coop's mom in Megas XLR. Flynn also appeared in an episode of George Lopez "George VS. George" (2003) episode. In that episode she played the role of Brenda, a bank employee.

As a voice artist, Flynn has been featured in The Land Before Time series, as Grandma Longneck after Linda Gary's death in 1995; on both Taz-Mania and What-a-Mess as the title character's mother, Jean; as Poil in The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper; and in Family Guy as well as Rudy's mother, Millie Tabootie on the Nickelodeon show, ChalkZone and Aunt Vera on the Cartoon Network show, Ben 10.

Her best known film role is as Cousin Catherine in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2 (2003). Her other acting roles include First Family (1980), National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982), Mr. Mom (1983), Family Ties (1986), For Keeps (1988), 18 Again! (1988), Stealing Home (1988), Lonely Hearts (1991), Evolution (2001), Wieners (2008), About Fifty (2011) and Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (2011).

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1980 First Family Feebleman's Secretary
1982 National Lampoon's Class Reunion Bunny Packard
1983 Mr. Mom Annette
1983 National Lampoon's Vacation Cousin Catherine
1988 For Keeps Donna Elliot
1988 18 Again! Betty Watson
1988 Stealing Home Mrs. Parks
1989 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Cousin Catherine Johnson
1991 Lonely Hearts Helen
1995 Babe Maa Voice
1996 Waiting for Guffman Costume Dresser
1996 Carpool Franklin's Mom Voice
1997 Vegas Vacation Cousin Catherine
1997 The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island Grandma Longneck Voice
1998 The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock
2000 Chump Change Bussler Waitress
2000 The Best of Dr. Seuss Yookie-Ann Sue / Teacher
2000 Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman Principal Milliken
2000 The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire Grandma Longneck
2000 The Emperor's New Groove The Piñata Lady
2001 Evolution Grace
2001 Man and Cat Man's Grandma Voice
2001 The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze Grandma Longneck
2002 The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water Diplodocus Mom / Grandma Longneck
2003 The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration Grandma Longneck
2005 The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses
2006 The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers
2007 The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends
2008 Wieners Ben's Mom
2009 Nowhere to Hide Priscella
2011 About Fifty Nancy
2011 Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star Debbie Larson
2014 All Stars Miriam Carson
2016 The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave Grandma Longneck Voice
2016 Taking Liberty Mrs. Batesome
2019 Extracurricular Activities Mrs. Reed

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1979 Who's Watching the Kids? Ms. Collins Episode: "Good News, Bad News"
1981–1982 Maggie Maggie Weston 8 episodes
1983 Gimme a Break! Mrs. Brandt Episode: "Glenlawn Street Blues"
1983 Full House Boobie Hall Television film
1984 Her Life as a Man Sheila
1984 Mr. Success Helen Silt
1984 Silver Spoons Myrna Lippincottleman Episode: "Twas the Night Before Christmas"
1984, 1991 Night Court Helen Liptz / Phyllis Simon 2 episodes
1985 Webster Jan Morgan Episode: "The Uh-Oh Feeling"
1985 Snorks Additional voices Episode: "Snorkitis Is Nothing to Sneeze At/The Whole Toot and Nothing But..."
1985 Cheers Phyllis Henshaw Episode: "Love Thy Neighbor"
1985 Riptide Marian Flynn Episode: "Robin and Marian"
1986 Family Ties Mrs. Carpenter Episode: "My Buddy"
1986 Christmas Every Day Helen / Franny / Will Television film
1986–1990 The Magical World of Disney Gandra Dee / Helen 3 episodes
1986–1987 Foofur Voice 16 episodes
1987, 1988 CBS Summer Playhouse Cookie Lippman / Betty 2 episodes
1988 The New Yogi Bear Show Additional voices 4 episodes
1988 Raising Miranda Joan Hoodenpyle 9 episodes
1988, 1989 The Tracey Ullman Show Miss Clark / Jill 2 episodes
1988, 1993 L.A. Law Edie Moffit / Madeleine
1989 Hound Town Sasha Television film
1989 Dear John Penny Episode: "The Other Group"
1989 The Butter Battle Book Yookie-Ann Sue / Teacher / Various Yooks Television film
1989–1990 DuckTales Gandra Dee 7 episodes
1990 The Simpsons Miss Barr Episode: "Moaning Lisa"
1990 Murder, She Wrote Vi Episode: "Murder -- According to Maggie"
1990 Monsters Luann Episode: "Murray's Monster"
1990 The Flockens Patricia Flocken Television film
1991 Murphy Brown Ellen Smith Episode: "The Smiths Go to Washington"
1991–1995 Taz-Mania Various voices 40 episodes
1991–1996 Bobby's World Voice 7 episodes
1992 Herman's Head Dr. Nina Bergstrom Episode: "That's What Friends Aren't For"
1992 Stand by Your Man Adrienne Stone / Arlene Stone 5 episodes
1992 Doogie Howser, M.D. Real Estate Agent Episode: "Doogie Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
1993 Picket Fences Alice Freeman Episode: "Bad Moons Rising"
1993 Civil Wars Dr. Pleasance Episode: "A Liver Runs Through It"
1993 Mighty Max Professor MacDougall Episode: "Werewolves of Dunneglen"
1994 The Second Half Rachel Episode: "Far and Awry"
1994 The Nanny Country Club Manager Episode: "I Don't Remember Mama"
1994 Madman of the People Lorraine Episode: "Jack Has Left the Building"
1994–1995 The Tick Charles' Mother 4 episodes
1995 Indictment: The McMartin Trial Judge Bobb Television film
1995 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Evelyn Kincaid
1995 Letter to My Killer Personnel Director
1995 Hope & Gloria Dr. Rose Episode: "A Midsummer Night's Trim"
1995 Murder One Robin Zeitlin Episode: "Chapter Eight"
1995 Life with Louie Aunt Mimi Episode: "The Fourth Thursday in November"
1995 Partners Saleswoman Episode: "Fourteen Minutes?"
1995 What-a-Mess Mother 3 episodes
1996 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Greta Episode: "Don't Polka Me/The Granny Vanishes"
1996 Quack Pack Mrs. Robinson Episode: "The Unusual Suspects
1996–1997 Malcolm & Eddie Kelly 6 episodes
1996–1997 The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper Poil 16 episodes
1997 The Legend of Calamity Jane Lonely Sue 13 episodes
1997 The Practice Mary Stokes Episode: "Part IV"
1997 Jenny Mother Superior Episode: "Pilot"
1997 Pinky and the Brain Woman Episode: "Leggo My Ego/Big in Japan"
1998 Ally McBeal Karen Poole Episode: "The Playing Field"
1998 3rd Rock from the Sun Suzie Martin Episode: "Stuck with Dick"
1998 Brooklyn South Dee / Alison Williams Episode: "Cinnamon Buns"
1998 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Mrs. Frank Episode: "I Only Have Eyes for You"
1998 The New Batman Adventures Zaltig Lady Episode: "Mean Seasons"
1998 Dharma & Greg Jasmine Episode: "Unarmed and Dangerous"
1998 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Midwife Episode: "Covenant"
1998 Rugrats Customer / Voice / Party Goer Episode: "Baking Dil/Hair!"
1999 Batman Beyond T.V. Newscaster Episode: "Disappearing Inque"
2001 Malcolm in the Middle Cooking Teacher Episode: "Reese Cooks"
2001 Static Shock Ms. Pettibone Episode: "Tantrum"
2001 A Kitty Bobo Show Mrs. Bobo Television short
2001 Providence Mrs. Hartford Episode: "You Can Count on Me"
2001 Once and Again Gayle Stephenson Episode: "Destiny Turns on the Radio"
2001–2005 Grounded for Life Sister Helen 22 episodes
2002, 2003 Judging Amy Winkie 2 episodes
2002–2008 ChalkZone Mildred Trish "Millie" Tabootie, Various characters 18 episodes
2003 George Lopez Brenda Episode: "George vs. George"
2003 Ozzy & Drix Drixeen Episode: "An Out of Body Experience: Part 2"
2003 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2 Catherine Johnson Television film
2004 Happy Family Barb Episode: "Rules and Girls"
2004 Century City Judge Episode: "Only You"
2004 Second Time Around Belinda Episode: "Secrets"
2004 Megas XLR Coop's Mom / Woman / Old Lady 3 episodes
2005 Fielder's Choice Rose Television film
2006 Ben 10 Vera Tennyson Episode: "Permanent Retirement"
2006 'Til Death Bonnie Woodcock Episode: "Your Mother or Your Wife"
2007 Las Vegas Betty Episode: "Wagers of Sin"
2007 The Young and the Restless Edna McCallister Episode #1.8585
2007 Desperate Housewives Dr. Berman 2 episodes
2007 The Land Before Time Grandma Longneck 5 episodes
2007 Cavemen Rose Claybrook Episode: "Nick Get Job"
2007 Grey's Anatomy Gretchen Bitzer Episode: "The Heart of the Matter"
2007 Boston Legal Gretchen Winters Episode: "The Object of My Affection"
2008 Cranberry Christmas Granny / Sister Whiskers Television film
2009 Big Love Aunt Dot Episode: "Come, Ye Saints"
2009 Married Not Dead Ms. Giamatti Television film
2010 The Life & Times of Tim Woman in Church Episode: "The Comeback Sermon/Atlantic City"
2010 Good Luck Charlie Jane Episode: "Kit and Kaboodle"
2011 Curb Your Enthusiasm Margaret Episode: "The Safe House"
2011 Zeke and Luther Mrs. Smorlov Episode: "Lie Hard"
2012–2013 Suburgatory Helen 7 episodes
2014 Summer with Cimorelli Mrs. Cimorelli Episode: "Pretty Little Cimorelliars"
2014 Bones Fancie Von Mertens Episode: "The Mutilation of the Master Manipulator"
2015 Scandal Mrs. Ambruso Episode: "Put a Ring on It"
2015 Murder in the First Dr. Hopkins Episode: "Nothing but the Truth"
2015, 2016 Liv and Maddie Mrs. Snodgrass 2 episodes
2016 iZombie Drake's Mother
2016 The Middle Female Clerk Episode: "A Tough Pill to Swallow"
2017 The Carmichael Show Monica Episode: "Shoot-Up-Able"
2017 School of Rock Nana Gert Episode: "The Other Side of Summer"
2017 NCIS: Los Angeles Marilyn Episode: "All is Bright"
2019 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Band Leader Episode: "Keeping Cool/Parade Day"
2019 Fancy Nancy Fay Clancy Episode: "The Amazing Adventures of Grammy and Poppy/Un, Deux, Cha Cha Cha!"
2020 Mom Arlene Episode: "Somebody's Grandmother and the A-List"
2021 The Unicorn Mrs. Burbage Episode: "In Memory Of..."
2023 Shrinking Pam Episode: “Fifteen Minutes”
2023 The Lincoln Lawyer Donna Episode 7, Season 2 "Cui Boni"

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MIRIAM FLYNN 1951-06-18 Pacific Palisades CA". Birthdatabase.com. Archived from the original on 2018-01-03. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  2. ^ a b c d Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earl (2003). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (8th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.

External links[edit]