Kat Dennings
An actress whose sharp wit and deadpan delivery turned a waitress on a sitcom and a scientist in the MCU into cult-favorite characters.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American actress·Birthday: June 13·Millennials
Biography
Kat Dennings brings a specific, grounded cynicism to every role, a quality that made her a standout from her early film work. She never fit the typical Hollywood ingenue mold, instead carving a space for intelligent, sarcastic, and deeply relatable women. Her breakout role as the wisecracking, bohemian Max Black on '2 Broke Girls' showcased her impeccable comic timing and chemistry with co-star Beth Behrs. Simultaneously, she inserted herself into the biggest film franchise in the world as Darcy Lewis, a political science intern turned astrophysicist in the Thor films and later her own series, 'WandaVision.' Dennings' voice—both literal and metaphorical—is uniquely her own, resonating with audiences who appreciate humor with an edge.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kat was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kat Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kat's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Max Black for all six seasons of the CBS sitcom '2 Broke Girls'.
- Portrays Darcy Lewis across the Marvel Cinematic Universe in films and the series 'WandaVision'.
- Earned critical praise for her role in the indie film 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist'.
- Nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for '2 Broke Girls'.
- Voiced a main character in the animated series 'Dollface' on Hulu.
Did You Know?
She started her acting career with a guest role on 'Sex and the City' at age 14.
She is a self-taught pianist.
She dropped out of high school but later earned her GED.
She was in a long-term relationship with musician Andrew W.K.
She and her '2 Broke Girls' co-star Beth Behrs are close friends in real life.
“I like playing characters that are smarter than me. It's a good challenge.”
