For two decades, Kaczmarek racked up a string of television and film credits, including "Scarecrow and Mrs. King," "Law & Order" and "Frasier"; a role opposite Robert De Niro in Falling in Love (1984); and a memorable turn as a cranky mom in Pleasantville (1998). But it wasn't until 2000 that Kaczmarek found fame as the harried mother of four sons in "Malcolm in the Middle," a surprise hit sitcom that earned her seven consecutive Emmy nominations and the right to bask in the Hollywood spotlight.

Kaczmarek is also known among fans of "The Simpsons" as the voice of Judge Constance Harm, a parody of television's "Judge Judy." Kazmarek's other feature-film credits include the 1988 thriller D.O.A.