Mo Gaffney

A versatile dark-haired actress and comedian best known for her creative partnership with Kathy Najimy, Mo Gaffney has worked extensively in film and television as well as on stage throughout her career. From her feature debut, portraying Ed Harris' wife in the harrowing organized crime drama "State of Grace" (1990) to far sillier fare like MTV's "Jailbait" (2000), Gaffney has kept audiences entertained with portrayals that range from realistic to riotous. A San Diego native specializing in personality driven feminist comedy, she worked as a performer in her hometown, where she met up with likeminded actress/comedian Kathy Najimy. The two began a fruitful partnership, writing and starring in acclaimed and award-winning productions of "The Kathy and Mo Show." Their initial show, comprised of funny and unexpectedly touching vignettes, ran from 1988 to 1989 Off-Broadway and scored the duo an OBIE. The two made their TV debut as Kathy and Mo with 1991's "The Kathy & Mo Show: Parallel Lives" on HBO. That same year Gaffney furthered her film acting career with a turn in Norman Jewison's "Other People's Money." 1992 saw the thoughtful performer take talk show hosting duties with Comedy Central's daily dose of "Women Aloud." The following year she debuted on Fox owned television stations with the syndicated short-lived talk series "The Mo Show." While her onscreen antics were enjoyed by British viewers of "The Full Wax" (aired in the USA on A&E in 1992) and "Absolutely Fabulous" (aired in the USA on Comedy Central beginning in 1994), American viewers were treated to "Kathy and Mo: The Dark Side," aired on HBO in 1995. In 1996, Gaffney guested on a Halloween episode of "Roseanne," reprising her role as Bo, the obnoxious American wife of Edina (Jennifer Saunders)'s ex-husband on "Absolutely Fabulous" and reteamed with director Jewison in the feature "Bogus." When "Absolutely Fabulous: The Last Shout" (Comedy Central) celebrated the end of the series in 1997, Gaffney contributed her performance as memorably condescending Bo to the festivities.