Wendie Malick - Career

Career

In 1982, Malick auditioned unsuccessfully for the role of Diane Chambers in the NBC sitcom Cheers She played a supporting role in the 1988 film Scrooged as Bill Murray's sister-in-law. Her first lead role on a TV series was on the HBO series Dream On in 1990. She remained on this show until 1996, winning four CableACE Awards for best actress in a comedy series. In 1995 she appeared in the sitcom Seinfeld as the character Wendy in "The Kiss Hello".

In 1997, Malick began the role of Nina Van Horn, a shallow, boozing former supermodel on the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me! – a role she continued until the show ended in 2003. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her work on Just Shoot Me! in 1999 and again in 2002.

In 2003, Malick joined the cast of Cheers spin-off Frasier, portraying Ronee Lawrence, a Seattle lounge singer (and Frasier's (Kelsey Grammer) childhood babysitter) who develops a relationship with Frasier's father, Martin Crane (John Mahoney). Eventually, her character of Ronee would marry Martin in the series finale of the critically acclaimed program. Malick and Mahoney also both appeared in The American President.

Malick starred in the made-for-TV movie Take My Advice: The Ann and Abby Story, in which she played the dual roles of identical twin sibling advice columnists Ann Landers (Esther Lederer) and "Dear Abby" Abigail Van Buren (Pauline Phillips). She provided the voice of Principal Folsom for the Disney animated series Fillmore! until its end in 2004. In 2005 she co-starred on Nickelodeon's The X's as Miss X. Malick also starred in Disney's film The Emperor's New Groove as Chicha in 2000.

In 2005 and early 2006, she portrayed Naomi on the John Stamos television series Jake in Progress. Malick was to be part of the cast of the series Modern Men, but due to a Jake in Progress renewal, her role on Modern Men was recast with Jane Seymour. Both Jake in Progress and Modern Men were cancelled in 2006. Also in 2005, Malick starred as Clara Dalrymple in the movie Racing Stripes. In 2005 and 2006, she provided the voice of Burdine Maxwell in the animated series Bratz. In late 2006 and early 2007, she portrayed Jane in the television series Big Day. Starting in 2005, Malick did voice work on radio and television ads for Marshall's department stores.

Malick took part in the filming of Confessions of a Shopaholic as the instructor of the "Shopaholics Anonymous" group, Miss Korch.

Malick has made over 80 guest appearances on television shows, including:

• 5 appearances on Kate & Allie
• 9 appearances on Baywatch
• 10 appearances on Frasier as Ronee Lawrence
• 5 appearances on Father of the Pride
• 1 appearance on Reba
• 1 appearance on Seinfeld
• 3 appearances on The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius as Beautiful Gorgeous

In 2000, Malick was honored by Women in Film as A Woman of Vision, along with Tipper Gore, Gwen Ifill and Roseanne Barr. Malick is on the board of directors of the Environmental Media Association, the board of advocates for Planned Parenthood and the advisory board of the Humane Society.

In 2010, Malick began starring in the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland, alongside Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli and Betty White.

In April of 2011, Malick became the celebrity spokesperson for Budget Rent a Car in a series of online and television ads.

Malick in 2012 will play a leading role in the upcoming Hallmark original movie Wild Horse Annie.The movie will focus on the life of animal-rights activist Velma Johnston, who helped save the lives of hundreds of equines.