Miriam Flynn

Best-known for her role as Cousin Catherine in the National Lampoon "Vacation" films, Miriam Flynn began her career as part of Chicago's Second City improv troupe and performed on stage with Andrea Martin, George Wendt, James Belushi, and Catherine O'Hara. A native of Cleveland, Flynn's first major role was as star of the sitcom "Maggie," about a housewife from Ohio. It lasted just eight episodes but led to a role in the National Lampoon comedy "Class Reunion" in 1982. She played the Cousin Catherine role in the enormously successful comedy "Vacation," starring Chevy Chase, and had numerous sitcom appearances before appearing in the film's 1989 sequel. She could be seen in "Cheers," "Silver Spoons," and "Family Ties," before reprising her role in "Christmas Vacation" at the end of the decade. Her second attempt at a sitcom also ended prematurely with the cancellation of "Raising Miranda" in 1988. An accomplished voice actress, Flynn was Gandra Dee in the popular animated show "Duck Tales" and Maa in the hit 1995 feature "Babe." Other notable roles have included Sister Helen on the sitcom "Grounded for Life" and the voice of Poil on the children's show "Casper."