By Wonderwall.com Editors
5:07am PDT, Jul 30, 2020
"Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" premiered on Bravo on Aug. 3, 2005, and aired its last episode five years later on Aug. 3, 2010. To mark the 15-year anniversary of the reality show's debut — and the 10-year anniversary of the Emmy-winning program's finale — join Wonderwall.com as we take a look back at Kathy's life and work in photos in this comedy career retrospective! Keep reading for more…
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Kathy Griffin made her foray into comedy after moving to Los Angeles in the early '80s. She studied drama at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and joined The Groundlings, the famed improv comedy troupe. Early in her career, her comedic style was characterized by references to her personal life and included anecdotes about past dating experiences. It wasn't until later that she'd shift her focus to satirizing celebrities.
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Kathy Griffin did a stand-up night called "Hot Cup of Talk" with comedian Janeane Garofalo (pictured), whom she'd met in Los Angeles. It turned into a solo stand-up special for HBO that aired in 1998. Kathy and Janeane are seen here the same year at a party for "Mr. Show."
In 1996 and 1998, Kathy Griffin appeared on two episodes of "Seinfeld." She played Sally Weaver, Susan Ross's (Heidi Swedberg) college roommate.
From 1996 to 2000, Kathy Griffin starred on the NBC sitcom "Suddenly Susan" alongside Brooke Shields, Nestor Carbonell, Barbara Barrie, Judd Nelson and David Strickland. The series, which ran for four seasons and 93 episodes, told the story of a ritzy San Francisco-based magazine editor who must come to terms with being single.
In 2000, Kathy Griffin made an appearance on the popular sci-fi drama series "The X-Files" on the episode titled "Fight Club." She played two characters: Betty Templeton and Lulu Pfeiffer. She's seen here alongside star David Duchovny as Agent Fox Mulder.
2001 was a good year of TV success for Kathy Griffin. In addition to doing a voice role on "The Simpsons," she hosted the short-lived MTV clip show "Kathy's So-Called Reality." She's pictured here at the Third Annual TV Guide Awards in February that year.
Kathy Griffin, who's pictured here at Comedy Central's first award show in December 2003, appeared in several films and television shows from 2002 to 2004 including "Run Ronnie Run!" and "Beethoven's 5th." She also lent her voice to characters on "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" and "Spider-Man: The New Animated Series."
A milestone moment! On March 24, 2004, Kathy Griffin's first stand-up comedy special on Bravo and third overall, "The D-List," aired. The event, which clocked in at just under 45 minutes, was broadcast live from the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. Kathy's seen here on stage hosting the Woman of Comedy contest at The Laugh Factory less than a month after the special.
2005 marked the year that Kathy Griffin's award-winning reality television series, "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," premiered! The series, which ran from Aug. 3, 2005, to Aug. 3, 2010, chronicled her various tactics to gain publicity as a self-proclaimed "D-list" celebrity and featured her parents, Maggie (pictured) and John Patrick Griffin, and ex-husband, Matt Moline. The program was a major success — all six seasons earned Emmy nominations for outstanding reality program and the show won twice.
In 2007, Kathy Griffin became a co-host on "The View," replacing former host Rosie O'Donnell who left after a public fight with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Kathy's stint was only temporary, though — she held the position from May to September that year.
Unforgettable occasions! In both 2007 and 2008, Kathy Griffin took home Emmys for best reality program for "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List." In 2008, Kathy also released "For Your Consideration," her first comedy CD, which received a Grammy nomination for best comedy album. She's seen here following her win at the Emmy Awards on Sept. 13, 2008.
On June 12, 2008, Kathy Griffin hosted the inaugural Bravo! Canada A-List Awards. The Emmy-winning comedian is pictured arriving at the event that year.
Second time's a charm! Kathy Griffin hosted the Bravo! Canada A-List Awards once again on April 15, 2009. She's pictured on stage during the event, which was held at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
Actress, comedian… and author! On Sept. 8, 2009, Kathy Griffin's memoir, "Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin," was published. The book debuted at the No. 1 spot on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Kathy's seen here promoting the memoir in New York City on the day of its release.
Talk about an iconic duo! In 2010, Kathy Griffin was a guest judge on the first episode of season 2 of the famed reality competition series "RuPaul's Drag Race." Kathy and RuPaul are pictured here at the 18th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar party in March that year.
In March 2011, Kathy Griffin, who's seen here at the premiere of "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" in August that year, made a guest appearance on the breakout FOX teen-musical series. In the season 2 episode of "Glee" entitled "Original Song," Kathy played the role of Tammy Jean Albertson.
Another endeavor! On April 19, 2012, Kathy Griffin's late night talk show "Kathy" debuted on Bravo. However, the series was short-lived — it was canceled on April 6, 2013, after just two seasons. She's seen here alongside her mother, Maggie Griffin, during a promotional photoshoot for the show.
In 2012, Kathy Griffin attended the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. That year, she'd earned her third Grammy nomination for best comedy album, for "Kathy Griffin: 50 and Not Pregnant." She was previously nominated in the same category for 2009's "For Your Consideration" and 2011's "Kathy Griffin Does the Bible Belt."
Back at it again! Kathy Griffin attended the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013. She'd earned her fourth nomination for best comedy album that year, this time for "Kathy Griffin: Seaman 1st Class."
A veteran emcee! Kathy Griffin hosted the 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on June 22, 2014. She's seen here on stage during the annual award ceremony.
Success! On her fifth nomination, Kathy Griffin took home the Grammy for best comedy album — for 2014's "Calm Down Gurrl." Of course, it wouldn't be a Kathy Griffin acceptance speech unless she offended people: While on stage to accept the prize, she made a religion joke, sparking controversy.
In 2015, Kathy Griffin became a panelist alongside Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski on E!'s "Fashion Police" following the death of comedy icon Joan Rivers, who'd previously led the show. Kathy filmed just seven episodes before leaving the program.
Happy New Year! Since 2007, Kathy Griffin had co-hosted CNN's New Year's Eve coverage live from Times Square in New York City. However, the comedian — who's pictured here alongside Anderson Cooper during the 2016 program — was booted from the annual showcase amid a swirl of controversy. The decision came in 2017 after photographs emerged showing Kathy making a statement by holding a blood-covered facsimile of President Donald Trump's head. She went on to issue an apology via Instagram amid a barrage of criticism. "I sincerely apologize … I'm a comic, I cross the line," she wrote. "I move the line, then I cross it. I went way too far. The image is too disturbing; I understand how it offends people. It wasn't funny. I get it. … I beg for your forgiveness." But Kathy later walked it back despite damage to her career, explaining on "The View" after she was able to return to touring, "Look, I'm not holding back on this family. This president is different and I have been through the mill."
In 2018, Kathy Griffin appeared on two television specials: "Make America Great-a-Thon: A President Show Special" and "A President Show Documentary: The Fall Of Donald Trump." The following year, she voiced herself on the comedic puppet series "Crank Yankers." Kathy's seen here at a pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles in February 2019.
As for what the famed comedian is up to nowadays? On March 11, 2019, Kathy Griffin released her latest concert film, "A Hell of a Story." The project, which was filmed at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, marked Kathy's 21st special. She's pictured here at the SXSW Conference in Austin a few days before the special was released.
