Dan Finnerty was an actor who carved out a successful place for himself in Hollywood. His career began with appearances on popular sitcoms such as Ellen (1993–98), Meego (CBS, 1997–98), and Veronica’s Closet (NBC, 1997–2000), where he showcased his comedic talent early on. In addition to his work in television series, Finnerty was featured in several TV specials, including Gold Fever (PBS, 1996–97) and Celebrity Weddings: In Style (ABC, 1998–99).
He also lent his voice to animated characters on the long-running Fox show King of the Hill (1996–2009), further expanding his versatility as a performer. Another notable appearance was in the Lifetime special Intimate Portrait: Kathy Najimy (1999–2000), which highlighted his connection to the entertainment world beyond just acting.
As his career progressed, Finnerty began to take on more film roles, appearing in movies like Lost Souls (2000), The Wedding Planner (2001), and the comedy hit Old School (2003), where he starred alongside Luke Wilson. During this time, he continued to maintain a presence on television with roles in shows such as Rude Awakening (Showtime, 1998–2001) and Two Guys and a Girl (ABC, 1999–2001).
In the mid-2000s, Finnerty was seen in a number of high-profile films, including Starsky & Hutch (2004) with Ben Stiller, The Terminal (2004), a Tom Hanks drama, and the raunchy comedy Extreme Movie (2008), where he worked with Michael Cera. He also appeared in I Hate Valentine’s Day (2009), starring Nia Vardalos, and played a small but memorable role in the blockbuster comedy The Hangover (2009), which featured Bradley Cooper.
Finnerty also made a splash on the small screen with the Bravo special Dan Finnerty & The Dan Band: I Am Woman (2004–05), which highlighted his musical side. One of his more recent film roles came in 2012 when he appeared in Rock of Ages, a comedy adaptation starring Julianne Hough.
On a personal note, Dan Finnerty was married to actress and comedian Kathy Najimy, a fact that added another layer of connection between his personal life and his career in show business.
When it comes to Dan Finnerty’s filmography, there’s a bit of a contrast in how his movies have been received. Dan Finnerty has appeared in several films over the years, but if we look at the ratings, one title really stands out on the positive side—Dumplin’ from 2018. That particular movie ended up being Dan Finnerty’s highest rated film, earning praise from both critics and audiences alike. On the flip side, not every project has fared quite as well. In fact, Dan Finnerty’s lowest rated film to date is Single All the Way, which came out in 2021. While it had its fans, especially among holiday movie enthusiasts, the overall reception wasn’t as strong. So, when comparing the two, it’s clear that Dan Finnerty has had both high and low points in his acting career, with Dumplin’ shining as a highlight and Single All the Way landing on the lower end of the spectrum.