Wendi Mclendon Covey

Wendi McLendon-Covey was born on October 10, 1969, in Bellflower, California. She pursued her education at California State University, Long Beach, graduating with a B.A. in liberal studies and creative writing. Her career began at the esteemed Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, an improvisational comedy group where she honed her skills. She was a member of The Groundlings until 2009. During this period, she started auditioning for roles, marking the early steps of her acting career.

McLendon-Covey achieved her breakout role as Deputy Clementine Johnson in the improvisational comedy series “Reno 911!”, which aired from 2003 to 2008 and later returned for additional seasons from 2020 to 2022. This role showcased her comedic talent and helped establish her presence in the entertainment industry. Following this, she gained further recognition for her performance in the 2011 hit comedy film “Bridesmaids,” alongside former Groundlings classmates Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig. This film was both financially successful and critically acclaimed, expanding her reach in Hollywood. She continued to appear in numerous films, including “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (2012), “Blended” (2014), and “Hello, My Name Is Doris” (2015).

From 2013 to 2023, McLendon-Covey starred as Beverly Goldberg, the family matriarch in the ABC comedy series “The Goldbergs.” This role spanned ten seasons and 229 episodes, earning her two Critics’ Choice Television Award nominations for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. She also served as a producer and executive producer for the series. Her recent work includes “St. Denis Medical,” a new workplace comedy on NBC and Peacock, which has already received a Critic’s Choice nomination. In animation, she has lent her voice to projects such as Disney’s “Big City Greens” (2018–present), Disney Pixar’s “Elemental” (2023), and ‘Chief Patsy Stamos’ on “Grimsburg” (2024) on FOX. Beyond acting, McLendon-Covey founded Strong Beach Productions with her manager Gladys Gonzalez and holds a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television, demonstrating her expanded role in content creation.