• Hey, It's That Voice! #36: Kate Flannery


    Hello and welcome back to that weekly article that takes a look behind the animation and looks at the other roles of the voices in Steven Universe, "Hey, It's That Voice!" Today, we are going to look at the voice behind Sadie's mom, Barbara Miller!



    Barb is one of my favorite adult humans in Steven Universe. She's full of energy and just enthusiastic about just about everything, including when it's about her daughter Sadie. But her enthusiasm is also problematic, as she is pretty violent with things (including fighting with an umpire) and, according to Greg, she is not a woman of empty threats. So, who is the voice behind Momma Sadie? Why, that would be Kate Flannery!

    Barb and Steven have got some moves!


    Kate Flannery was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 10, 1964 with her twin sister. She attended Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania before moving on to two years of study at Shenandoah University, finally graduating at University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

    Flannery got her start on the stage with improv, taking part in many improv groups including The Second City's National Touring Company and a founding memeber of Chicago's Annoyance Theater, where she created over 15 shows.

    With her first stage role, Flannery took to the stage in the Off Broadway hit Valley of the Dolls at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City and again when the play came to Los Angeles. Also in Los Angeles, she starred in other works such as The Phacts of Life and Hildy, Hildy, Three Feet Under. Flannery still currently works as the musical director of the Los Angeles Drama Club, teaching Shakespeare to children and young adults.

    Flannery has also contributed to the band Mono Puff, side project of John Flansburgh (guitarist and vocalist of They Might Be Giants). Under the name Mama Puff, she performed on their second album, It's Fun To Steal, and toured in support of the album.

    Flannery is most known for her role of Meredith Palmer in the U.S. sitcom The Office. The character, who she actually didn't originally audition for, was played by Flannery for all nine seasons of the show. Along with the rest of the cast, they were nominated for many awards, winning Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in both 2006 and 2007.

    Meredith Palmer (Flannery), shown here hard at work in The Office.

    Other television appearances by Flannery are quite numerous. She has appeared in Spyder GamesCurb Your EnthusiasmSaturday Night LiveBoomtownCrossballs: The Debate ShowThe Bernie Mac ShowThe Jay Leno ShowWizards of Waverly PlaceThe SoupThe Life & Times of TimJessieAnother Period (as historical figure Anne Sullivan), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and American Housewife.

    Finally, Flannery, has been in a few films as well. These include Can't Stop Dancing, Trick, Life Without Dick, Carolina, Danny Roane: First Time Director, You, At the Devil's Door, Cooties, and 4th Man Out.

    Join me next time when we take a look at the voice behind the Greg's former manager and friend, Marty!