Bridesmaids fans knew something was amiss at the 98th Academy Awards. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the groundbreaking comedy, the cast reunited to present the award for Best Score. But, a key cast member was missing.
Wendi McLendon-Covey, who starred as the hilarious Rita in the 2011 film, didn’t attend the awards show due to some recent plastic surgery. She posted a post-op selfie to her 312,000 followers writing: “In response to some of the DMs I’m getting: I had a neck lift last week because I’m tired of looking like a melting candle. So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine.”
Instead of getting dolled up for the Oscars, the comedian recovered at home with her husband of 30 years, Greg Covey. Here’s everything you need to know about Wendi’s longtime husband, who is celebrating his birthday today, and their sweet relationship.
© InstagramThe couple got engaged shortly after meeting
While Wendi didn’t picture a future with Greg on their first meeting, that’s exactly what happened. Three months after they met, they got engaged.
“But then three years later, we got married,” she told Jesse. Why did they wait so long? Well, as Wendi put it: “We had no money.”
The actress was simultaneously pursuing her dream of comedy while working as an editor for California State University’s academic journal of social work. And Greg “was a graphic designer and a ‘techy person,'” but he “never finished his degree.”
© InstagramWendi and Greg still enjoy a good date night
After 29 years of marriage – their 30th anniversary is in August – the couple still goes on dates, even if they don’t leave the house.
“We’re in a good little rhythm there,” Wendi told Jesse. “We love being at home. But sometimes, come on, we gotta get out of the house. This is pathetic. We were supposed to go to New Orleans this weekend, we have the tiniest place in the French Quarters we were supposed to go to but we had to cancel that.”
The comedian joked: “Meemaw and Peepaw need to have some face time. When we go to NOLA, we’re like, ‘This is us, just us.'”
© InstagramGreg has always believed in his wife
If there’s anyone Wendi can rely on, it’s her husband. Her career didn’t really take off until Bridesmaids. Wendi joined the improvisational group, The Groundlings, in 2002, performing alongside Kaitlin Olson, Melissa McCarthy, and Kristen Wiig.
For years, as she worked both her editor job and as a comedian, Wendi dreamed of even more success. And as the actress told Jesse: “[Greg] was the only who believed in me. Like, for real.”
After breaking out in Bridesmaids, starring in The Goldbergs, and now in St. Denis Medical, Greg was able to retire at 45, and “doesn’t have to do anything he doesn’t want to do.” He supported her for years, and now she supports him.
© InstagramGreg has Parkinson’s Disease
In 2015, Greg was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Seven years later, in 2022, Wendi shared an update about his battle to her Instagram, writing: “It’s progressed slowly(thank goodness), but the dyskinesia from his medicine is exhausting.”
The actress has long been a supporter of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, a non-profit founded by Michael J. Fox with the mission to find treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
In 2016, Wendi appeared at a fundraiser for the cure, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “My dad has Parkinson’s and my husband has it, too.”
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