Biography

This sitcom scene-stealer got her start as a member of the Second City National Touring Company and Chicago's Annoyance Theatre, where she appeared in a slew of popular underground stage shows, including The Real Live Brady Bunch. In the late 1990s, Flannery began popping up on sitcoms, and in 2005, she landed her breakout role as Meredith Palmer, the alcoholic, promiscuous single mom on The Office. Initially cautious about the series' success, Flannery kept her waitressing job throughout the show's first season. Not wanting to abandon her roots in live theater, she performs in the Lampshades, a spoof lounge act that she co-created. Flannery sings in the act, but admits that she shares her singing talent during in-character performances only. Aside from sitcoms and theater, Flannery branches out in many ways: She's been a guest on Iron Chef America, performed on an Air America radio show, was a talent scout for Last Comic Standing and is the musical director of the Los Angeles Drama club, which teaches Shakespeare to young children.

Fast Facts

Has six siblings.
Performed with the Second City National Touring Company during the same time Steve Carell, her future cast mate on NBC sitcom The Office, was appearing in shows with the company.
Was a member of Chicago's Annoyance Theater, where she performed in more than 15 shows, including The Real Live Brady Bunch, in which she played Mrs. Brady.
Contributed to a 1998 album by Mono Puff, a side project of They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh.
Kept her waitressing job throughout the first season of The Office.
Performs, along with co-creator Scot Robinson, as fake lounge act the Lampshades.
Was a talent scout for the 2008 season of Last Comic Standing.
Served as a guest judge on a 2009 episode of Iron Chef America.
Her family owns a Philadelphia bar called TA Flannery's.
Is the musical director of the Los Angeles Drama Club, which teaches Shakespeare to young kids.

Awards

2008, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Nominee
2007, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Winner
2006, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Winner
2009, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Nominee
2011, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Nominee
2010, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Nominee
2012, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Nominee