Kristen Johnston
About Kristen Johnston
A strikingly attractive, statuesque blonde with a distinctively husky voice, Kristen Johnston became an overnight star with the success of the aliens come to earth sitcom "3rd Rock From the Sun" (NBC, 1996-2001). Raised in the Midwest, Johnston spent several of her formative years as an exchange student in South America and Sweden. After graduating from New York University with a BFA in acting, she joined David Mamet's Atlantic Theatre Company and appeared in such productions as "As You Like It" and "Stage Door". A well-received supporting turn in the off-Broadway play "The Lights" brought her to the attention of casting directors. Johnston landed guest roles on TV series like "The Five Mrs. Buchanans" and "Chicago Hope" before she auditioned for the role of Sally Solomon, the tough-talking, male alien in a female human's body. Displaying razor-sharp comic timing, Johnston more than holds her own among the cast which also includes Emmy-winner John Lithgow and French Stewart. She further displayed her abilities as the devoted personal assistant of a famed actress (Patricia Clarkson) in the middling TV version of "Neil Simon's 'London Suite'" (NBC, 1996) and as the aptly named Ivana Humpalot in the big screen spoof "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999). She was also well-cast as Wilma in the tepid live-action cartoon "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" (2000).
| Name: | Relation: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
| David Newsom | companion | co-starred on TV series "Homefront" |
| Born in Washington, DC | |
| Made professional stage debut with the Atlantic Theatre Company in NYC | |
| Moved with family to Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin | |
| Was an exchange student in Sweden and in South America while a teenager | |
| Worked at Naked Angels Theatre Company and New York Stage and Film | |
| 1993 | Appeared in the off-Broadway production "The Lights"; earned a Drama Desk Award nomination |
| 1993 | Feature film debut in the short "The Debt"; shown at Cannes |
| 1994 | Moved to L.A.; began making guest appearances on TV shows like "Chicago Hope" and "The Five Mrs. Buchanans" |
| 1996 - 2001 | TV series debut as Sally Solomon in the NBC sitcom "3rd Rock From the Sun" |
| 1996 | TV-movie debut, "Neil Simon's 'London Suite'" |
| 1997 | Appeared Off-Broadway in Peter Hedges' comedy "Baby Anger" (summer) |
| 1998 | Returned to NYC theater in the summer to play Sabina in a revival of Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth" |
| 1999 | Co-starred as Ivana Humpalot in the sequel "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me", starring Mike Myers |
| 2000 | Portrayed Wilma in the live-action "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" |
| 2001 | Had a leading role in the Broadway revival of "The Women" |
| 2005 | Appeared with Amy Sedaris in "Strangers with Candy" |
| 2005 | Cast in a recurring role on "ER" (NBC) as Eve Peyton, the new nurse manager |
| 2007 | Co-starred with Drew Barrymore in the comedy "Music & Lyrics" |
| 2007 | Joined the cast of the Atlantic Theater Company's production of "Scarcity" |
Notes
"I was 5 foot 11 1/2 at age 13. I was enormous, a monstrosity, a FREAK. I've always been an outsider."--Johnston in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, June 21, 1996
"I was ready to compromise and take a part as some star's sassy best friend with two sassy lines per show, take my money and get back to New York as soon as possible."
"But somehow I landed on '3rd Rock From the Sun,' with a role I love playing. Now I have the best of both worlds--good money and a great part."--Johnston in DAILY NEWS, February 11, 1996
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VIDEO
3Rd Rock From The Sun: Season 5
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Quick Facts
Born
September, 20 1967 in Washington, DC
Education
- New York University, New York, New York
- Whitefish Bay High, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
- Circle in the Square Professional Theatre School, New York, New York
Professions
actor, salesgirl, waitress