WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY - BELIEVE in Yourself

The Goldbergs and Bridesmaids alum tells Closer all about her new TV series

- Amanda Champagne-Meadows

After 10 seasons playing matriarch Beverly Goldberg on TV’s The Goldbergs, you can’t blame Wendi McLendon-Covey for being a little nostalgic for the 1980s-set sitcom. “I recently watched the whole series from beginning to end because I was missing everybody,” she tells Closer. “I’m really proud of the show we made. And, yes, Beverly was a smotherer, but that is just good parenting. An overbearing mother who means well, who acts first and apologizes later, is universal.” Wendi, 54, will be returning to television this fall on St. Denis Medical, a mockumentary-style sitcom following the harried medical workers at an underfunded Oregon hospital.

You grew up in Southern California, but you’re the first person in your family to be involved in the entertainment industry, right?

Yes, my family were so shocked and appalled that this is what I wanted to do. But I’ve known since I was a little kid. When it was time to declare a major in college, I said, “Well, I think you know I want to major in theater.” [My parents said,] “No, no, we’re not paying for that. What are you going to do with that?”

That must have been difficult.

It’s fine because everything worked out exactly the way it was supposed to. After 25 years, they’re OK with it.

You started out your comedy career with the Groundlings comedy troupe. What was that like?

I was like 27, and the company at that time had Jennifer Coolidge, Mindy Sterling, Ana Gasteyer, Cheri Oteri — all these heavy hitters. I was just like, if I could do what they’re doing, I’d feel like such a superhero.

What was your big break?