Kat Dennings, born Katherine Victoria Litwack on June 13, 1986, is an accomplished American actress known for her diverse roles in film and television. Hailing from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Dennings rose to prominence through her engaging performances in various genres. She made her mark with notable roles in films like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005) and “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” (2008), showcasing her talent for both comedy and drama. One of her most recognized roles came in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she portrayed Darcy Lewis in “Thor” (2011) and its sequel “Thor: The Dark World” (2013).
Television audiences embraced her as Max Black in the CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls” (2011-2017), where her sharp wit and comedic timing shone. Dennings has also been part of the Disney+ series “WandaVision” (2021), reprising her role as Darcy Lewis. Beyond her acting career, Kat Dennings is known for her engaging personality, humour, and active participation in philanthropic endeavours.
Early life of Kat Dennings
Kat Dennings, whose full name is Katherine Victoria Litwack, was born on June 13, 1986, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA. She was raised in a Jewish family with her parents, Ellen Judith Litwack and Gerald J. Litwack, and she has four siblings.
From a young age, Dennings showed an interest in acting and started pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. She attended Friends’ Central School in Philadelphia, where she began her acting career with commercials and later moved to New York City to further pursue her passion for acting.
Kat Dennings made her professional acting debut with a role in an episode of the television series “Sex and the City” in 2000. She then appeared in various television shows and films, gradually building her career. However, she gained widespread recognition for her role as Norah Silverberg in the 2008 film “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.”
Throughout her early career, Dennings continued to take on diverse roles in both television and film, showcasing her talent and versatility. Her breakthrough came when she landed the role of Max Black in the popular CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls,” which ran from 2011 to 2017.
Career of Kat Dennings
Early Roles and Breakthrough (2000-2010):
- Television: Dennings started early with guest appearances on shows like “Sex and the City” and “Everwood.” She gained wider recognition with recurring roles in “Raising Dad” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
- Film: She made her film debut in 2003 and went on to appear in various comedies like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Big Momma’s House 2,” and “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.” Her dramatic acting skills were showcased in films like “Charlie Bartlett” and “Defendor.”
- Breakthrough: Her role as Max Black in the sitcom “2 Broke Girls” (2011-2017) became her defining role, garnering critical acclaim and mainstream popularity.
Marvel Cinematic Universe and Film Career Expansion (2011-2023):
- MCU Debut: Dennings joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Darcy Lewis in “Thor” (2011) and reprised the role in “Thor: The Dark World” (2013) and the Disney+ miniseries “WandaVision” (2021). This association further solidified her name in pop culture.
- Film Diversification: She continued to explore diverse film roles, including independent dramas like “Suburban Gothic” and romantic comedies like “What If.”
- Voice Acting: She ventured into voice acting, lending her voice to characters in animated films like “The Croods” and “Sing 2.”
Recent Developments (2023-Present):
- Marriage: In May 2023, she married musician Andrew W.K.
- Upcoming Projects: She will reprise her role as Darcy Lewis in the upcoming film “Thor: Love and Thunder” (2022) and is attached to star in the Hulu comedy series “Dollface” season 2.
Overall:
Dennings has carved a unique niche in Hollywood, balancing comedic and dramatic roles across film and television. Her association with the MCU and her consistent engagement with diverse projects solidify her position as a versatile and talented actress.
Personal life of Kat Dennings
Kat Dennings has generally kept her personal life private, but here’s what I can share:
Relationships:
- In 2008, she mentioned that while her family is Jewish, she doesn’t consider herself religious but more culturally and ethnically affiliated.
- From 2011 to 2014, she dated her “2 Broke Girls” co-star Nick Zano.
- From 2014 to 2016, she dated singer Josh Groban.
- In May 2021, she confirmed her relationship with musician Andrew W.K., and they got married on November 27, 2023.
Other aspects:
- She is an animal welfare supporter and lives in Los Angeles with her cat, Millie.
- She was active on social media, including blogging and video blogging, but has scaled back in recent years.
- She enjoys writing and co-wrote a screenplay with her brother in 2009.
It’s important to respect individuals’ privacy, so I cannot share additional details beyond what she has publicly disclosed.
Kat Dennings has generally kept her personal life private, but here’s what we know about her past and present relationships:
Early Relationships:
- Nick Zano (2011-2014): Dennings dated her 2 Broke Girls co-star Nick Zano for three years. They kept their relationship relatively low-key and were rarely seen together publicly.
- Josh Groban (2014-2016): After her split with Zano, Dennings began dating singer Josh Groban. Their relationship was more public, and they attended several red carpets and events together. They reportedly split due to busy schedules and conflicting lifestyles.
- Andrew W.K. (2021-Present): In May 2021, Dennings surprised fans by announcing her engagement to musician Andrew W.K. They had been dating for a few months before getting engaged and tied the knot in November 2023 in a private ceremony. They seem very happy together and often share photos and videos on social media.
Kat Dennings Filmography Career
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Raise Your Voice | Sloane | |
| 2005 | Down in the Valley | April | |
| 2005 | The 40-Year-Old Virgin | Marla Piedmont | |
| 2005 | London | Lilly | |
| 2006 | Big Momma’s House 2 | Molly Fuller | |
| 2007 | Charlie Bartlett | Susan Gardner | |
| 2008 | The House Bunny | Mona | |
| 2008 | Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist | Norah Silverberg | |
| 2009 | The Answer Man | Dahlia | |
| 2009 | Shorts | Stacey Thompson | |
| 2009 | Defendor | Katerina “Kat” Debrofkowitz / Angel | |
| 2010 | Daydream Nation | Caroline Wexler | |
| 2011 | Thor | Darcy Lewis | |
| 2012 | To Write Love on Her Arms | Renee Yohe | |
| 2013 | Thor: The Dark World | Darcy Lewis | |
| 2014 | Suburban Gothic | Becca Thompson | |
| 2015 | Hollywood Adventures | Herself | Cameo |
| 2020 | Friendsgiving | Abby | |
| 2022 | Thor: Love and Thunder | Darcy Lewis | Cameo |
Television Career of Kat Dennings
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sex and the City | Jenny Brier | Episode: “Hot Child in the City“ |
| 2001–2002 | Raising Dad | Sarah Stewart | Main role; 22 episodes |
| 2002 | The Scream Team | Claire Carlyle | Television film |
| 2003 | Without a Trace | Jennifer Norton | Episode: “Sons and Daughters” |
| 2003 | Less than Perfect | Kaitlin | Episode: “The Girl Next Door” |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Missy Wilson | Episode: “Early Rollout“ |
| 2005 | Clubhouse | Angela | Episode: “Stealing Home” |
| 2005–2006 | ER | Zoe Butler | 5 episodes |
| 2005 | CSI: NY | Sarah Endecott | Episode: “Manhattan Manhunt“ |
| 2009 | American Dad! | Tanqueray (voice) | Episode: “G-String Circus“ |
| 2010 | American Dad! | Female juror (voice) | Episode: “The People vs. Martin Sugar“ |
| 2011–2017 | 2 Broke Girls | Max George Black | Main role; 138 episodes |
| 2012 | Robot Chicken | Various voices | Episode: “Executed by the State” |
| 2014 | 40th People’s Choice Awards | Herself / Host | Television special |
| 2014 | Sesame Street | Herself | Episode: “Bert’s Training Wheels” |
| 2014 | The Newsroom | Blair Lansing | Episode: “Run” |
| 2015 | RuPaul’s Drag Race | Herself / Guest judge | Episode: “ShakesQueer” |
| 2015–2018 | Drunk History | Various | 3 episodes |
| 2017–2020 | Big Mouth | Leah Birch (voice) | 13 episodes |
| 2017 | The Simpsons | Valerie (voice) | Episode: “Mr. Lisa’s Opus“ |
| 2018 | Dallas & Robo | Dallas Moonshiner (voice) | Main role; 8 episodes Also producer |
| 2019–2022 | Dollface | Jules Wiley | Main role; 20 episodes Also executive producer |
| 2021 | WandaVision | Darcy Lewis | Main role; 5 episodes |
| 2021 | Marvel Studios: Assembled | Herself | Documentary; Episode: “Assembled: The Making of WandaVision“ |
| 2021–2023 | What If…? | Darcy Lewis (voice) | 2 episodes: “What If… Thor Were an Only Child?“, “What If… Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?“ |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Satellite Award | Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama | Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist | Nominated |
| 2009 | MTV Movie Award | Breakthrough Performance – Female | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Award | Choice Movie Actress: Music/Dance | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Crystal Reel Awards | Best Actress | To Write Love on Her Arms | Won |
| 2014 | People’s Choice Award | Favorite TV Gal Pals (with Beth Behrs) | 2 Broke Girls | Nominated |
| 2021 | Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards[61] | Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series,Anthology Series, or Television Movie | WandaVision | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy | Dollface | Nominated |
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Question
While she hasn’t received major industry awards, Dennings has earned recognition and nominations, including winning a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Gal Pals for “2 Broke Girls.”
Fans may be interested in learning about any new films, TV shows, or other projects that Kat Dennings is currently involved in.
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