She is best known as Roxy in Ohara (1987–1988), Principal Halloron in Life with Louie (1995–1998), Gretchen Mannkusser in Malcolm in the Middle (2002–2004) and Rhonda in Loot (2022).
Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois,[1][2] Fay was a featured cast member with Chicago's The Second City in the early 1980s.
[4] She has guest-starred on numerous shows including Thirtysomething, Roseanne, Mad About You, Seinfeld, Dharma & Greg, Gilmore Girls, Suddenly Susan, Charmed and Freaks and Geeks.
She has also had recurring roles on Malcolm in the Middle and The Bernie Mac Show, and has guest starred on Six Feet Under, Nip/Tuck, Desperate Housewives, The Big Bang Theory, and as Chelsea's mother on several episodes of Two and a Half Men.
[citation needed] She made her directorial debut with playwright Jeffrey Sweet's play Kunstler at the 59 East 59 Theaters in Manhattan.