Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (2024)

Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (1)
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    She may be the American Housewife on ABC’s TV series of the same name, but that’s not all of it. Katy Mixon is a deeply rooted Southern gal whose lilting voice drips with a sugar-cane drawl and words like “ma’am.”

    In her weekly TV series, the star’s Pensacola roots are deeply hidden under humorous facial expressions, but the very professional Mixon is doing exactly what she always wanted to do—work as an actress. “I am so grateful for this show,” she says.

    Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (2)

    She knew at a very young age she was destined for a career in the performing arts. During her senior year of high school, Mixon was given an award by the National Foundation of the Arts in Miami, which led to an audition for, and acceptance into, the drama program at Carnegie Mellon University. Mixon graduated in 2003 from the university’s Conservatory of Drama. “They train you there—I learned different dialects and you have coaches,” she says. “That’s why you don’t hear that Southern accent all the time.”

    The Southern accent and love for grits come naturally to Katy, who has strong ties to Louisiana and Baton Rouge. Her father, Dr. Fred Mixon, was number 37 on the LSU football team in the mid-1960s and still talks about it with fondness.

    Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (3)

    “Last year at the LSU-Missouri game, Fred was honored by our son Joel and his family’s contribution to TAF for the Fred Mixon LSU Endowed Athletic Scholarship,” says Mixon’s mom, the former Donna Lee Field. “We were on the 50-yard line on the eye of the tiger. It was a big time for our family.” Donna Mixon, a Louisiana native herself, was chosen Miss Tangipahoa Parish in 1966 and ultimately was third runner-up to Miss Louisiana.

    Mixon’s own current excitement is all about having her first child (a boy) this summer with her boyfriend, Olympian Breaux Greer. Greer, too, is a Louisiana native, as well as a javelin thrower and eight-time U.S. champion in the sport. He’s also a national record holder with a throw of 91.29 meters.

    Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (4)

    “We are definitely getting married, but schedules keep us taking it all just day by day, hour by hour. It’s the only way to do it,” says Mixon, who always seems to be doing something careerwise. Before American Housewife, she played the vixen sister of Melissa McCarthy’s title character on Mike & Molly, which followed HBO’s East Bound & Down.

    Mixon has seven siblings who love to get together with their musical parents and perform when there is time. Mixon’s mother claims she knew right away that her daughter was a performer. “Katy came into the world as an optimist,” Donna says. “She sees the bright side to every challenge. She was wired for acting; I really believe she was called to do it. Nothing frightens her. I believe in all my heart that a person’s passion is their purpose. And that’s Katy.”

    Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (5)

    It takes more than passion to succeed, and Mixon offers this advice for those hoping to advance in acting or any career: “Dedication is the first important step. I believe in God-given talent, but I’m a very firm believer that you have to march to the beat of your own drum and not look to the right or the left. You have to walk your life, you have to walk your journey. That journey is going to come with bumps in the road and mountains you have to climb. Dedication and the love for it is what you’ve got to have to fulfill that dream. But you’ve got to dream.”

    Mixon admits her dream is to continue in the direction in which she is headed, but she also misses her roots in musical theater. “I love it so much,” she says. Her family has been known to perform as a group for Pensacola audiences, as they did to rave reviews a few years back.

    In the meantime, American Housewife is garnering favorable reviews, and Mixon is happy playing a character that she enjoys. “I get a kick out of her. I couldn’t play her if I didn’t like her,” says Mixon with the enthusiasm that is her companion on whatever she does. “I throw myself into any project 100%. If I were going fishing, I’d buy all the poles and outfits that go with the sport!”

    Taking the lead: Southern TV star Katy Mixon talks life on the small screen and Louisiana roots - inRegister (2024)

    FAQs

    Are Melissa McCarthy and Katy Mixon friends? ›

    They really love each other, they have that they really dig each other. And that's so fun to watch. You don't see that on TV a lot.” Mixon landed the role on the show soon after wrapping six seasons of “Mike & Molly,” playing Victoria opposite Melissa McCarthy.

    What nationality is Katy Mixon? ›

    Katy Mixon is an American actress.

    What sitcom did Katy Mixon play in? ›

    Katy Mixon BIO

    From 2010 to 2016, Mixon starred as Victoria Flynn, sister to Melissa McCarthy's character, on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly. In 2016, Mixon began starring as the lead character Katie Otto in the ABC comedy series American Housewife.

    Who did Katy Mixon marry? ›

    Personal life. Mixon is married to former track and field athlete Breaux Greer, and they have two children.

    Are Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon friends in real life? ›

    'This affair happened a very long time ago when Susan and Bowie were both young and carefree,' adds the source. 'Susan has fond memories of the love affair, but throughout the years have kept it private. ' 'Melissa and Susan have become very good friends and that is how melissa got to know about it.

    How did Katy Mixon meet her husband? ›

    "He is a four-time Olympian," Katy revealed in an interview on Live With Kelly and Ryan. "We met one day on a Saturday morning at 7:30. My trainer was going to leave for the month and he thought that he would be an incredible trainer for me." "We met, we locked eyes, the trainer was no longer," Katy said.

    Does Katy Mixon sing? ›

    Additionally, the actress has a beautiful singing voice. Katy Mixon singing in Mike & Molly wowed many of her fans.

    Who is Molly's sister? ›

    Victoria Flynn is Molly's dimwitted but kind, party girl sister who is often high on marijuana.

    Why did Julia Butters leave American Housewife? ›

    Butters earned acclaim and landed a slew of nominations for her role in the movie, which opened a lot of doors for her. The young actress and her team wanted to pursue them and the studio behind American Housewife, ABC Signature, granted her request to leave the series.

    What does Katy Mixon do now? ›

    She most recently starred opposite Renée Zellweger in the NBC limited series The Thing About Pam, and she'll next be seen as a lead in the upcoming limited series George and Tammy, opposite Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon, for Spectrum Originals, Paramount Network and Paramount+.

    Did Joe Mixon play in Super Bowl? ›

    In Super Bowl LVI, Mixon rushed for 72 yards, and threw his first career pass attempt, a 6-yard passing touchdown to Tee Higgins in the 23–20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He was the third running back in NFL history to throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

    Who did Katy have a baby with? ›

    Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry are loving parenthood. In August 2020, they welcomed their little girl, Daisy Dove Bloom, into the world.

    When did Katy get married? ›

    Who is Katy engaged to? ›

    Katy Perry has been engaged to Orlando Bloom since 2019, and the following year, the couple welcomed their daughter Daisy Dove, now three. The happy couple prefer to keep their private life out of the spotlight, although last week, Katy gave a rare glimpse into her blended family's relationship.

    Did Mike and Molly get along in real life? ›

    Billy Gardell and Reno Wilson are good friends in real life. They had been looking for a project they could do together when Gardell was approached about this show. They agreed it was an ideal situation, and Gardell asked for Wilson to be brought in. Mike & Molly's home is the same set from Roseanne (1988).

    Are Jenny and Melissa McCarthy friends? ›

    The two cousins, who spent their childhood years together with their expansive family, remain on good terms but are rarely seen in public together. Melissa didn't even attend Jenny's small wedding to Donnie Wahlberg last year. She told Howard Stern that she and her cousin are in “opposite worlds” these days.

    Are Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy friends? ›

    Melissa McCarthy and Maya Rudolph, longtime friends and comedic gold when together and apart on any screen, have done just that. “It's delightful, [even though] I don't really think about it,” Rudolph said. “But I will say it's nice to have a choice.” “It is nice to have a choice, that's for sure,” McCarthy added.

    Is Melissa McCarthy a Republican? ›

    In the April 2021 issue of Instyle, McCarthy said that, with regard to politics, "It's very polarizing, but, I mean, I'm on the left for sure, though I'm not an extremist.

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