Kat Dennings, born Katherine Victoria Litwack on June 13, 1986, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is an American actress known for her dynamic roles in television and film. She began her acting career at a young age, making her debut in a 2000 episode of “Sex and the City” at just 14 years old.
Despite her youth, she wasn’t fully aware of the show’s significance at the time. She portrayed Jenny Brier, a teenager who hires Samantha to plan her bat mitzvah, and later reflected that she found the audition process strange, not realizing the show’s popularity until she saw a large billboard.
Throughout her career, Dennings has taken on various roles, including appearances in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005), “Big Momma’s House 2” (2006), and “Charlie Bartlett” (2007). She gained significant recognition for her role as Max Black in the CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls” (2011–2017), where she starred alongside Beth Behrs. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Dennings portrayed Darcy Lewis, first appearing in “Thor” (2011) and later in “Thor: The Dark World” (2013) and the Disney+ series “WandaVision” (2021).
In her personal journey, Dennings faced challenges during her early years in Hollywood. She recalled being told by casting directors at the age of 12 that she was “not pretty enough” and “fat,” experiences she described as “very harsh” and “insane.” However, she credits her supportive parents for helping her navigate these criticisms, noting that the industry has become “much softer, kinder” over time.
Currently, Dennings stars in the ABC sitcom “Shifting Gears,” where she plays Riley, the daughter of Tim Allen’s character, Matt. The show follows Matt, a widowed car restoration shop owner, as he adjusts to the return of his estranged daughter and her children.
In a recent episode, Dennings’ character suspects her father may have taken a weed gummy due to his unusual behavior, leading to a humorous exchange about peer pressure. She expressed her delight in working alongside Allen, praising their on-set dynamic. “Shifting Gears” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day.