Christina Applegate (born November 25, 1971) is an American actress. As a child actress, she gained recognition for starring as Kelly Bundy in the Fox sitcom Married... with Children (1987–1997). Applegate established a successful film and television career in her adult years, winning a Primetime Emmy Award from seven nominations as well as nominations for four Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award.

Applegate starred in the title role of the NBC sitcom Jesse (1998–2000), which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. She received a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role in the NBC sitcom Friends (2002–2003). For her role in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity (2005), she earned a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She went on to star in the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–2009), for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations; the NBC sitcom Up All Night (2011–2012); and the Netflix dark tragicomedy series Dead to Me (2019–2022), which earned her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination.

Applegate has also had major roles in several films, including Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991), The Big Hit (1998), The Sweetest Thing (2002), Grand Theft Parsons (2003), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Hall Pass (2011), Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013), Vacation (2015), Bad Moms (2016), and Crash Pad (2017).

Early and family life :

Applegate was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Her father, Robert William "Bob" Applegate, was a record producer and record company executive; her mother, Nancy Priddy, is a singer and actress. Her parents separated shortly after her birth. She has two half-siblings, Alisa and Kyle, from her father's second marriage. After her divorce, Applegate's mother had a relationship with musician Stephen Stills. As a child, Applegate trained as a dancer in various styles, including jazz and ballet.