Snakkle Shines a Spotlight on the Deliciously Brash Comedian Kathy Griffin

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Kathleen Mary Griffin, Oak Park River Forest High School, Oak Park, Illinois

The youngest of five children, Kathleen Mary Griffin was born in Oak Park, Illinois, to Irish-Catholic parents, Maggie and John Griffin. A self-described constant talker, Kathleen found an audience outside of neighbors and family performing in high school musicals. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Kathy Griffin, The Groundlings (1986)

At the tender age of 19, Kathy attended her first performance of the L.A.-based improv troupe The Groundlings. Enamored with the performers, Griffin attended many of their shows and took classes with them. She was eventually invited into the main company.

Kathy Griffin on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) photo

Kathy Griffin on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)

Kathy eventually went solo doing stand-up comedy and had her own show, "Hot Cup of Talk.” At the same time, she pursued acting, auditioning for film and television parts. Her first national television part was on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Kathy Griffin in The Unborn (1991) photo

Kathy Griffin in The Unborn (1991)

The year after Fresh Prince, Griffin landed her first film role, playing Connie Chicago in the low-budget horror movie The Unborn.

Kathy Griffin in Shakes the Clown (1991) photo

Kathy Griffin in Shakes the Clown (1991)

Kathy next appeared in fellow stand-up comedian and friend Bobcat Goldthwait’s directorial debut, the dark comedy Shakes the Clown.

Kathy Griffin in Pulp Fiction (1994) photo

Kathy Griffin in Pulp Fiction (1994)

In a blink-or-you-might-miss-her moment, Griffin appears in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction as a bystander who tries to help Ving Rhames’ character after he’s hit by a car.

Kathy Griffin on Seinfeld (1996 and 1998) photo

Kathy Griffin on Seinfeld (1996 and 1998)

Jerry Seinfeld cast Griffin in his hit sitcom twice, playing Susan Ross's old college roommate Sally Weaver. After her first appearance in “The Doll,” Griffin in her stand-up sets claimed that Jerry was rude to her on-set. Seinfeld saw the bit, sent her a letter congratulating her on the piece, and then invited her back for “The Cartoon.”

In the HBO Comedy Special Kathy Griffin: A Hot Cup of Talk (1998) photo

In the HBO Comedy Special Kathy Griffin: A Hot Cup of Talk (1998)

Griffin’s infamous Seinfeld story and other early classic bits originated in Kathy’s first solo HBO comedy special, Kathy Griffin: A Hot Cup of Talk. Based on her small one-woman shows where she would skewer celebs and talk about her stand-up comedy life, Griffin’s career hit new highs after its premiere.

Kathy Griffin in Muppets from Space (1999) photo

Kathy Griffin in Muppets from Space (1999)

A big Jim Henson fan, Griffin got to work opposite Animal as a security guard in the big-screen film Muppets from Space.

Kathy Griffin as Vicki Groener in Suddenly Susan (1996-2000) photo

Kevin Foley/NBC

Kathy Griffin as Vicki Groener in Suddenly Susan (1996-2000)

Aside from her HBO special, Griffin became most recognized for her four-year stint alongside Brooke Shields in the sitcom Suddenly Susan.

Kathy Griffin’s Cameo in Eminem’s Music Video “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)

Finding a kindred spirit in unapologetic rabble-rouser Eminem, Griffin appeared in Marshall Mather’s music video for his hit “The Real Slim Shady.”

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Kathy Griffin and Husband Matt Moline (2001)

Griffin married Matt Moline in 2001. They stayed together for five years until Kathy filed for divorce. She accused her ex of stealing from her, which Moline denied.

Kathy Griffin on Celebrity Mole: Hawaii (2003) photo

Kathy Griffin on Celebrity Mole: Hawaii (2003)

A fan of everything D-list and trashy, Griffin jumped to appear as a celebrity contestant on the ABC reality game show Celebrity Mole: Hawaii. She dished on her fellow costars, walked on hot lava, and won the whole competition.

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005-2010) photo

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005-2010)

Continuing her reality streak, Griffin developed her own show for E! about her life in Hollywood as a stand-up comedian and quasi-celeb making a living in the shallow city. Initially the show featured her parents, various assistants, and husband, but the cast of “characters” evolved and changed over its six seasons. Griffin won two Emmy awards for the series.

Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin (2009) photo

Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin (2009)

Looking to out-Oprah Oprah, Griffin set out to become a multimedia mogul and released her first autobiographical comedy book in 2009. It debuted at number one on the New York Times best-seller list.

Kathy Griffin Cohosts CNN's New Year's Eve Broadcast with Anderson Cooper (2009) photo

Kathy Griffin Cohosts CNN's New Year's Eve Broadcast with Anderson Cooper (2009)

Always courting controversy in the name of comedy, Griffin added another feather to her “banned” cap by saying the f-word on-air live as she cohosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve show in New York City's Times Square. CNN reportedly banned her from the air, just like Barbara Walters did to Kathy on The View.

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Kathy Griffin with Levi Johnston at the Teen Choice Awards (2009)

A vocal opponent to politician Sarah Palin and her family, Griffin invited Bristol Palin’s former fiancé as her date to the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. She called herself a cougar, but the whole bit was just to get a rise out of the Palins.

Adam Rose/FOX

Kathy Griffin on Glee (2011)

Mocking Palin once more, Griffin did a riff on the former governor on Glee, playing a conservative regionals competition judge. Wearing familiar glasses and a red power suit, Griffin ranted about gays and Obama.