# Cleo King: The Unsung Hollywood Icon Who Steals Every Scene

Cleo King, born on August 21, 1962, in St. Louis, Missouri, is a true Hollywood treasure whose ability to transform even the smallest role into an unforgettable moment has made her a beloved figure in entertainment.

The youngest daughter in a lively family of seven children, with a railroad worker father and a caterer mother, King grew up surrounded by personality and laughter. Her natural flair for performance shone early, earning recognition in high school for her commanding stage presence. She later honed her craft at the University of Missouri before embarking on a remarkable career

King’s journey began in New York City, where one of her first professional gigs was in a groundbreaking all-Black production of Shakespeare’s *Macbeth*, titled *Voodoo Macbeth*, directed by Avery Brooks. This role showcased her dramatic depth, a stark contrast to the comedic characters she’d later become known for.

Moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time, King faced the financial struggles many actors endure, taking a day job as a 911 dispatcher—a role requiring calm under pressure that would later inform her authoritative on-screen personas.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, King became the queen of guest appearances, gracing over 50 shows including *Friends*, *The West Wing*, *NYPD Blue*, and *Six Feet Under*. Her knack for delivering memorable performances in just a few lines made her a go-to for hit series.

She also shone in films like *Magnolia* (1999) and secured recurring roles in *Boston Public* (2001-2002) and *Deadwood* (2006), where she played Aunt Lou, displaying her dramatic range as a confidant to a powerful saloon owner.

Hollywood soon discovered her comedic gold in R-rated comedies. In *Pineapple Express* (2008), as Officer Barber, her deadpan delivery opposite Seth Rogen and James Franco turned a brief scene into an iconic highlight. Similar authoritative roles in *The Hangover* and *Sex Drive* cemented her as a chaos-inducing force.

Her television presence peaked with a series regular role as Rosetta “Nana” McMillan on *Mike & Molly* (2010-2016), where her sharp wit and tender wisdom as Carl’s grandmother earned her a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination. Her chemistry with co-star Reno Wilson made her a household name.

Beyond sitcoms, King appeared in Netflix’s *A Series of Unfortunate Events* (2017) and films like *The Bye Bye Man*. Despite her prolific career, she remains refreshingly private, keeping her personal life out of the spotlight.

With an estimated net worth of $3 million, built through decades of consistent work, King continues to captivate audiences through voice acting in *Hoops* and recurring roles across genres. Retirement isn’t in her vocabulary; she’s a constant presence, delivering excitement with every appearance. Cleo King proves you don’t need to be the lead to be the star—her brief screen time often becomes the talk of the show, a testament to her unparalleled talent.