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Kristen Johnston

Kristen Johnston

Actor · Born September 20, 1967 (59) · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Kristen Johnston studied acting at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School in New York City. She won two Emmys for her role on 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996). She has appeared on many other television shows, including Ugly Betty (2006), ER (1994), Bored to Death (2009) and, perhaps most memorably, as the party girl whose famous final words were "I'm so bored I could die" on Sex and the City (1998). She's currently, on television, on TV Land's hit series, The Exes (2011), which is now in its fourth season. Just a few of Johnston's many stage credits are "So Help Me God!" (Drama desk nomination), "The Women", "Aunt Dan & Lemon", "Love Song" on the West End, as well as starring in three "Shakespeare in Central Park" productions, "Much Ado About Nothing", "12th Night", and "The Skin of our Teeth". She is a long-time member of The Atlantic Theater Company, and her roles over the years have included "The Lights" (Drama Desk Nomination) and "Scarcity". Kristen's film credits include Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), the 2nd Austin Powers film (as "Ivana Humpalot"), Finding Bliss (2009), Bad Parents (2012), Bride Wars (2009), L!fe Happens (2011), Vamps (2012), Strangers with Candy (2005), and the upcoming independent film, Lovesick (2014), with Matt LeBlanc. Johnston teaches acting at The Atlantic Theater Company's Acting School at NYU. She founded an organization called SLAM, whose goal is the creation of a desperately needed sober high school in New York City. Johnston's first book was a New York Times Bestselling memoir, entitled "GUTS: the endless follies and tiny triumphs of a giant disaster".

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 20, 1967 (59)
From
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
40 on MovieCove · 53 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 33% in 30 days

What are Kristen Johnston's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
52%
Self
22%
Morality
10%
Survival
7%
Ideas
4%
Power
2%
Society
2%
Family bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 0 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 3

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 5 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 8
Trickster
2 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
12
Absurd
9
Warm
8
Romantic
4
Melancholic
4
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kristen Johnston's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 40 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kristen Johnston's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

53 credits, 40 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Maddie's Secret(2025)

    as Beverlee Ralph

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Leanne(2025)

    Show 26 episodes · as Carol

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Going Dutch(2025)

    Show 4 episodes · as General Martin

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • Our Flag Means Death(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as The Widow Evelyn Higgins

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Small Town Wisconsin(2020)

    as Alicia

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Wedding Year(2019)

    as Barbara

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Righteous Gemstones(2019)

    Show 9 episodes · as May-May Montgomery

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Amphibia(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Braddock (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Swiped(2018)

    as Professor Barnes

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate(2018)

    as Roksana

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • For the Love of George(2018)

    as Psychic Sara

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Mayor(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Fox

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Thrill Ride(2016)

    as Esmerelda

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Not Today Bianca(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bianca's agent

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Lovesick(2014)

    as Katherine

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Kirstie(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Maddie

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Getting On(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Marla Pounder

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Mom(2013)

    Show 57 episodes · as Tammy Diffendor

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Bad Parents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Tracy

  • Vamps(2012)

    as Mrs. Van Helsing

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Exes(2011)

    Show 64 episodes · as Holly Franklin

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Life Happens(2011)

    as Francesca

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Modern Family(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Brenda

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Finding Bliss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Irene Fox

  • Bride Wars(2009)

    as Deb

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Duane Incarnate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Fran

  • Music and Lyrics(2007)

    as Rhonda

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Ugly Betty(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as Helen

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Strangers with Candy(2005)

    as Coach Divers

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The New Adventures of Old Christine(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Francie

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Nobody Knows Anything!(2003)

    as Miranda

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Queens Supreme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Austin Powers in Goldmember(2002)

    as Dancer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Sylvia Fowler

  • Ice Age(2002)

    as Sylvia (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Beaver Trilogy(2000)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas(2000)

    as Wilma Slaghoople

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me(1999)

    as Ivana Humpalot

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Roseanne Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sex and the City(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Lexi Featherston

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Colin Fitz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Stalker Fan

  • London Suite(1996)

    as Grace Chapman

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)

    Show 139 episodes · as Sally Solomon

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Backfire!(1995)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ER(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · as Eve Peyton

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Wendy Smythe

  • Duckman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Kathie Lee (voice)

  • The Debt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Alice Kosnick

  • Hearts Afire(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Margot

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Kristen Johnston

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Orkly Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • AbFab (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Patsy

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles, 52 of them dated from 1985 to 2026; peak year 2019.

Biggest box office

Bride Wars (2009)

$115M worldwide

Highest rated

3rd Rock from the Sun (1996)

Midcredits 83rd

Most popular right now

Mom (2013)

Film career

19852026

Peak 2019 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 53: 53 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score48th

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s14 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s17 · acting2020s5 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
0010

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Kristen Johnston's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 31st percentile, the median of all 21; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 27th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 40 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 40 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Swiped (2018)

97th percentile spread · 54% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ice Age (2002)

Midcredits 93rd · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 52/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 31. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Kristen Johnston's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles10–38 · median 18 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles20–47 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles30–54 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles30–57 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles10–30 · median 17 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Kristen Johnston work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kristen Johnston's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Justin Kirk shares the most, 2.

Actors