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Nancy Lenehan

Nancy Lenehan

Actor · Born April 26, 1953 (73) · Long Island, New York, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nancy Lenehan (born April 26, 1953 in Long Island, New York) is an American actress who has appeared in film and television since the 1980s. Her most recent starring role was on the short-lived sitcom Worst Week. She also co-starred as Sandy Kelly, the matriarch in the sitcom Married to the Kellys. She also had a recurring role on My Name Is Earl as Earl and Randy's mother, Kay Hickey. She has appeared in featured, recurring and guest roles in many television shows and television movies, and feature films, including Malcolm in the Middle, Everybody Loves Raymond, Judging Amy, Gilmore Girls, Caroline in the City, Dharma & Greg, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 3rd Rock from the Sun, ER, Boy Meets World, The Nanny, Quantum Leap, Roseanne, V, The Facts of Life, Hill Street Blues and Alice. Description above from the Wikipedia article Nancy Lenehan, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 26, 1953 (73)
From
Long Island, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
88 on MovieCove · 124 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 17% in 30 days

What are Nancy Lenehan's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 89th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
39%
Bonds
33%
Society
12%
Survival
7%
Ideas
4%
Morality
2%
Power
2%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 4 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 9 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 8 · Intense 1

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 9 · 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 9 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 2

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
10
Tense
7
Absurd
6
Joyful
6
Hopeful
4
Other
8

How their films linger

Feel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

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 Nancy Lenehan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 62 of their 88 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Nancy Lenehan'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

124 credits, 88 with a MovieCove page.

  • Mock Trial(2026)

    Actor

  • Widow's Bay(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gerrie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Paper(2025)

    Show 4 episodes · as Ann Putnam

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Night Swim(2024)

    as Kay

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Self Reliance(2023)

    as Laurie

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Extended Family(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Rose

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • That's Amor(2022)

    as Lainie

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • A League of Their Own(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Vivienne

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • American Auto(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Winnie

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • All Rise(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Camille Park

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Boys(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Barbara

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Bless This Mess(2019)

    Show 13 episodes · as Deb

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Forever(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Heather Jacoby

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Jack Ryan(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as Senator Jennings

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Champions(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Maureen

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Man with a Plan(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Alice

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • People of Earth(2016)

    Show 20 episodes · as Margaret Flood

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Superstore(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Judy

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Piermont

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Sex Tape(2014)

    as Linda

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Veep(2012)

    Show 11 episodes · as Nancy Ryan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • How to Be a Gentleman(2011)

    Show 9 episodes · as Diane

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • A Better Life(2011)

    as Mrs. Donnely

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Selling(2011)

    as Mom / Mrs. Scarry

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Episodes(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Sex Therapist

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Outsourced(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Todd's Mom

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Middle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Penny

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Accidentally on Purpose(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Lara

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Worst Week(2008)

    Show 16 episodes · as Angela Clayton

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The New Adventures of Old Christine(2006)

    Show 5 episodes · as Kit · as Principal Marcie Nunley

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Close to Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Patty

  • My Name Is Earl(2005)

    Show 9 episodes · as Kay Hickey

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • How I Met Your Mother(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Cheryl Whittaker

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Beauty Shop(2005)

    as Mrs. Struggs

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Jack & Bobby(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Married to the Kellys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 22 episodes · as Sandy Kelly

  • Joan of Arcadia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Erica Marx

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Sue Alderman

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off(2003)

    as Mrs. Hadley (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Catch Me If You Can(2002)

    as Carol Strong

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Adaptation.(2002)

    as Kaufman’s Mother

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • What I Like About You(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Linda

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Full Frontal(2002)

    as Woman on Plane

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Door to Door(2002)

    as Charlotte

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Bernie Mac Show(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Sister Lane

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Men, Women & Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jan

  • Human Nature(2001)

    as Puff's Mother

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as LaDawn

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Titus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Faye

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Christie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Limey(1999)

    as Lady on Plane

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Jack & Jill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Church Booker

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Hoeller

  • Providence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane

  • Felicity(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · as Faye Rotundi

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Pleasantville(1998)

    as Marge Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • That '70s Show(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Nina's Mom

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Two Guys and a Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Peel

  • Working (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Meredith Hirsh

  • Dharma & Greg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · as Karen Love

  • George & Leo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Principal Deborah Harkness

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Pat

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Bunny

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Nurse MacKenzie

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Cherokee Kid(1996)

    as Sister Faith

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Townies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Everybody Loves Raymond(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Pamela

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Faculty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 13 episodes · as Daisy Skelnick

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. St. Clair

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Caroline in the City(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Plum

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Edie Harvell

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight(1994)

    as Radio Show Hostess

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Ellen(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Margaret

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Nanny(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Russian Woman

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Other Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Susan Thomas

  • Grace Under Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 12 episodes · as Audrey Sheffield

  • Boy Meets World(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Kalliback

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Bakersfield P.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Amy Baker

  • Dudley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Nancy

  • Great Scott! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 13 episodes · as Beverly Melrod

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Wallach

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Out on a Limb(1992)

    as Miss Clayton

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • To The Moon, Alice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mother

  • Runaway Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Blanche

  • Step by Step(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Tubman

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Dreamer of Oz(1990)

    as Harriet Baum Neal

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon(1989)

    as Mrs. Harris

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Volunteer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Colleen McBain

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Sydney

  • Dear John (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Williams

  • The Great Outdoors(1988)

    as Waitress

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • She's Having a Baby(1988)

    as Cynthia

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Jake's Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mother

  • Student Exchange(1987)

    as Mrs. Barton

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills Buntz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Fairchild

  • Like Father Like Son(1987)

    as Waitress in Desert Diner

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Beauty and the Beast(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Lucy

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • CBS Summer Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Vivian

  • Annie Oakley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Lyda

  • ALF(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Laverne Litwak

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Heart of the City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Linda Kilmer

  • Assassin(1986)

    as Grace Decker

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Popples (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Mom

  • Stoogemania(1985)

    as Connie Smoynek

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Tall Tales & Legends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Lyda

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Nun

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • V(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Science Frontiers Scientist

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Beauty and the Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Georgette

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Ms. Abrams

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Emergency Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Young Woman

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Family Ties(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Roberta

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Georgette · as Maiden at Ball

  • Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Incredible Shrinking Woman(1981)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Smokey and the Bandit II(1980)

    as Ramona

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • When She Was Bad...(1979)

    as Bonnie

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Alice(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 124 titles from 1976 to 2026; peak year 2002.

Biggest box office

Sex Tape (2014)

$126M worldwide

Highest rated

Door to Door (2002)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Sex Tape (2014)

Film career

19762026

Peak 2002 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting124 of 124: 124 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s32 · acting1990s38 · acting2000s25 · acting2010s17 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
809505

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 Nancy Lenehan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of the 29 of 30 with a score; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 87 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up32
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th21
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

32 of their 87 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved18
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser32
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed29

Most divisive · actor

How to Be a Gentleman (2011)

78th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 43. 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 Nancy Lenehan's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 65 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 24 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Nancy Lenehan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Nancy Lenehan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Fred Savage shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Mixed roles