Wendie Malick
Like her character in the hit series, Just Shoot Me!, Buffalo native Wendie Malick worked in the fashion industry in the 1970s for many years before embarking on an illustrious acting career. A gifted comedienne with impeccable timing, her roles as Judith Tupper Stone in the HBO comedy Dream On and fashion editor Nina Van Horn in the aforementioned sitcom earned her numerous CableACE Awards, a Golden Globe and two Emmy Award nominations.
She also lent her talents to the TV Land series Hot in Cleveland opposite fellow animal lover and advocate, Betty White, and has appeared in over 50 guest starring roles on popular series like Frasier, Rush Hour, American Housewife, Mom, Grace and Frankie, and This is Us.
Currently, she stars opposite Ashton Kutcher in the Netflix original series, The Ranch, and voices the main character’s mother, Beatrice Horseman, in the Netflix animated series, BoJack Horseman.
A resident of Santa Monica, California, Malick shares a home with her husband, four horses, two dogs, and a miniature donkey. Ever passionate about animals, Wendie Malick sits on the board of directors for The Humane Society of the United States.
Quick Bites
Did you have a special pet growing up?
Please tell us about your four-legged family.
Growing up, my older sister was a collie named Bonnie. We were inseparable, and she was my first best friend.
During the summers, I used to rescue injured seagulls on the beach and take them to our neighbor, who was an orthopedic surgeon. He tried to explain “survival of the fittest," but I usually wore him down until he’d splint a tiny wing or leg.
During the summers, I used to rescue injured seagulls on the beach and take them to our neighbor, who was an orthopedic surgeon. He tried to explain “survival of the fittest," but I usually wore him down until he’d splint a tiny wing or leg.
Please tell us about your four-legged family.
Today, we share a ranch with 4 horses, 2 dogs and a miniature donkey. They’re all rescues, except for Cassidy, a buckskin quarter horse, who I helped “deliver” (meaning I slept in the hay loft for 2 nights and was there when he made his entrance). I imprinted with him, and helped my mare clean him off. That was the closest I ever came to giving birth.
What do you feed them and what are their favorite activities?
The dogs get organic wetland dry food. Treats are minimal: a few milk bones after breakfast and before bed. We never feed them from the table. The cattle-shepard mix has never been a food hound, but the black lab will eat anything he can get his mouth on. The best part of their day is mornings when I put on my sneakers and we hike the canyon. Every morning they act like it’s the first time.
What's been your most memorable experience working with a dog or cat on set and why?
I’ve loved the dogs on Frasier, Hot in Cleveland, and The Ranch, because their trainers were so kind. The dogs were relaxed and happy and well looked after. You can tell when an animal (or a child) doesn’t want to be there.
How did you become involved with The Humane Society and why is it important to you?
I got involved with HSUS when Gretchen Wyler asked me to co-host The Genesis Awards with David Hyde-Pierce, over 20 years ago. I immediately fell in love with Gretchen, who's cause was to “shine a light on cruelty” and to be a voice for those who cannot speak.
Later, I worked with wonderful champions at HSUS, like Wayne Pacelli, Holly Hazard and Nancy Perry, who now continues her fine work at ASPCA. I believe we need all the voices at the table, and any way I can assist in getting the word out on behalf of animals, is the least I can do.
Later, I worked with wonderful champions at HSUS, like Wayne Pacelli, Holly Hazard and Nancy Perry, who now continues her fine work at ASPCA. I believe we need all the voices at the table, and any way I can assist in getting the word out on behalf of animals, is the least I can do.
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