Mo Collins


Maureen "Mo" Ann Collins is an American actress and comedian. She is perhaps best known for being a member of the ensemble on FOX's sketch comedy series Mad TV. Collins became well known for several characters during her tenure on the show.
She was a cast member from the 4th season through the 9th season ; she only appeared in fourteen episodes during season 9 due to contractual reasons. She returned to Mad TV in the 10th season for one episode, and again when she made an appearance on the 300th episode doing her popular character Lorraine Swanson. Her best known role following her departure from Mad TV was as morning talk show host Joan Callamezzo on the sitcom Parks and Recreation.

Career

''Mad TV''

Collins joined the cast of Mad TV at the beginning of season 4 and stayed until the end of season 9, despite appearing in only 14 episodes during the ninth season. Her popular stint on the show led her to come back to guest star in 2005 during Season 10, in 2007 during the 300th episode on season 13, final episode of season 14 in 2009 and the 20th anniversary reunion special in 2016. She was also known for trying to stifle laughter during some of her skits much like Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show.
Her most featured and arguably most popular characters were Doreen, the screechy-voiced mother of overgrown toddler Stuart ; the odd, annoying, confused middle-aged woman Lorraine, and the perpetually unlucky Trina.
Collins also did a multitude of celebrity impressions, including Pamela Anderson, Sandra Bullock, Barbara Bush, Cher, Hillary Clinton, Courteney Cox, Celine Dion, Melissa Etheridge, Judy Garland, Jennifer Garner, Mary Hart, Teri Hatcher, Goldie Hawn, Ann Heche, Catherine Hicks, Paris Hilton, Kate Hudson, Allison Janney, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Jenny Jones, Jane Kaczmarek, Jewel, Dina Lohan, Andie MacDowell, Madonna, Penny Marshall, Audrey Meadows, Mary Tyler Moore, Alanis Morissette, Cynthia Nixon, Sharon Osbourne, Pink, Diane Sawyer, Shakira, Martha Stewart, Sally Struthers, Shania Twain, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Other credits

Collins is in remission from a rare form of cancer known as gastrointestinal stromal tumor. She was diagnosed in spring 2011 when she noticed an odd lump in her abdomen. Said Collins: "I would have done nothing about it. I was 44, feeling healthy, everything was going great for me, but my fiancé, Alex said, ‘You need to get it checked out’". Collins learned she had a primary tumor in her duodenum and was able to find a doctor who knew enough to know that she needed to see a specialist.