Kat Dennings, whose real name is Katherine Victoria Litwack, was born on June 13, 1986, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Starting her career at a young age, she appeared in commercials and made cameos on both the small and big screens.
Dennings showcased her talent in notable projects like ER in 1994 and The 40-Year-Old Virgin in 2005. However, it was her leading role in the 2008 film Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist that truly put her on the map. She gained widespread recognition in 2011 when she scored the role of Max Black on CBS’s 2 Broke Girls, instantly captivating TV viewers with her strong, funny, and relatable character.
As her career continues to soar, let’s uncover some surprising facts about the talented Kat Dennings that all her fans, especially those between 45 and 65 years old, should know.
Kat Dennings’ Unique Education
Instead of attending a traditional school, Kat Dennings was homeschooled by her parents. Remarkably, she completed her high school curriculum at just 14 years old. While she found the experience “good,” she admitted that she reached a point where she couldn’t stand being in a small room with her parents anymore. So, she took charge of her education and excelled. Her decision paid off as she graduated earlier than many of her peers.
Dennings reflected on her homeschooling experience, acknowledging she may have missed out on some social aspects of traditional school. However, she believes that she didn’t miss anything important. In her own words, “Nothing that hurt me.”
A Nod from Her Parents
When Kat Dennings first expressed her desire to pursue an acting career, her parents were skeptical. In fact, Dennings jokes that they initially thought acting was “the worst idea ever!” However, as her success grew, they embraced her decision and recognized her true talent.
Dennings attributes her artistic talents to her parents, both of whom proved to have their own hidden artistry. Her father, a biochemist, had aspirations of becoming a painter in his youth, while her mother has a gift for poetry.
The Beginnings: Sex and the City
Kat Dennings had her television debut as a teenage actor on the hit show Sex and the City in 2000. Although her role on the show was small, it was significant to Dennings. Playing the character Jenny Brier, a 13-year-old who hires Samantha Jones to plan her bat mitzvah, Dennings left a lasting impression on the viewers.
Her presence in that episode made an impact as the adult characters, Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes, were left questioning their own youth and whether the teenagers were imitating them or vice versa.
The Artsy Household
Growing up in an eccentric and artistic household, it comes as no surprise that Kat Dennings’ childhood didn’t involve watching television. Instead, she was allowed to watch old movie musicals and listen to stand-up comedy records. Surrounded by the creativity of her parents, she developed an early appreciation for the arts and even performed stand-up at the age of three.
Dennings recalled that her family had to get cable just so they could watch her TV debut on Sex and the City, much to the amusement of her homeschool friends.
Staying Away from the Party Scene
Unlike many young celebrities, Kat Dennings has chosen to steer clear of drugs and alcohol. In her own words, “I’m an idiot already, so I don’t need any enhancement.” She believes that she doesn’t need substances to show her true feelings since she already expresses herself genuinely.
Moreover, Dennings revealed that she doesn’t enjoy being around drunk people, comparing it to seeing someone jump out of a plane without a parachute. She’s never been drawn to the party lifestyle and feels a lot of pressure in such an environment.
Knitting Club with Ronda Rousey
In a surprising hobby, Kat Dennings loves to knit in her downtime. Even more surprising, she has joined forces with UFC champion Ronda Rousey to create a knitting club called “The Yarn and the Restless.” Besides knitting scarves and having a drink, they make plenty of “friend memories” while expressing their inner designers.
Their unconventional friendship demonstrates that unexpected pairings can often result in the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences.
A Cupcake Expert
On the TV show 2 Broke Girls, Kat Dennings played Max Black, a waitress with dreams of starting a cupcake empire. Although she didn’t bake the cupcakes herself (that was left to an amazing girl named Amber), she frosted them live on camera “in real-time.” She revealed that whenever the audience sees her piping a cupcake, she’s the one doing it. And when her blood sugar feels low, she takes a swipe of icing as a delicious treat.
Drake’s Crush
Kat Dennings has been linked to various celebrities in the past, including singer Josh Groban and actor Nick Zano. However, there was a time when she and Canadian rapper Drake shared a mutual attraction. Drake publicly expressed his obsession with Dennings through a late-night tweet in 2011, praising her appearance on Conan. While the two never became a thing, Dennings described Drake as a “super, super nice” person and a “lovely man.”
Their friendship remained intact, but their relationship never blossomed into anything more.
A Talented Screenwriter
Aside from acting, Kat Dennings has also showcased her talent as a screenwriter. She co-wrote the script for Your Dreams Suck with her brother, Geoffrey Litwack. This script made it onto the prestigious 2008 Black List of “The Hottest Unproduced Screenplays.”
In addition to writing, Dennings expressed her interest in directing and revealed that she is working on getting her script produced. Although the process of making a movie can be challenging, Dennings remains optimistic about the future.
A Former Blogger
Kat Dennings used to be an active blogger on her website, katdennings.com. Her blog featured a mix of musings, stories, artwork, and other personal insights. She often described herself as “weird” and “crazy” and used her blog as a creative outlet.
Eventually, she transitioned to social media platforms, but her blog archives serve as evidence of her quirky and creative mind.
Embracing the Goth Phase
Kat Dennings openly admits to embracing the goth aesthetic during her younger years. In an interview with Conan O’Brien, she revealed that she even introduced herself as Wednesday Addams to strangers. Dennings also shared throwback photos on Instagram that showcased her goth style. Nonetheless, she grew out of her goth phase, and her current style reflects her evolving tastes.
Best Friends with Natalie Portman
Kat Dennings met Natalie Portman on the set of a music video for their mutual friend Devendra Banhart’s single “Carmensita.” Their friendship flourished when they acted together in Thor. Dennings and Portman both agree that they never stop talking when they’re together, which led to some interesting moments during their time on set. Stellan Skarsgård, their co-star, often found himself surrounded by their lively conversations, occasionally about boys.
Max Black: Tailored for Kat Dennings
2 Broke Girls was co-created by comedian Whitney Cummings and Michael Patrick King, the creator of Sex and the City. Michael King revealed that Kat Dennings’ character, Max Black, was “pretty much molded” for her. He emphasized Dennings’ amazing outsider edge, explaining that it made everything else fall into place. Dennings’ natural authenticity resonates with viewers, making her character feel relatable and genuine.
Dennings credits her brother and mother for inspiring aspects of her character, acknowledging her brother’s deadpan cadence and her mother’s cool and tough personality.
Graciously Moving On from 2 Broke Girls
When CBS decided to end 2 Broke Girls after six successful seasons, Kat Dennings took the news gracefully. Instead of feeling upset or bitter, she expressed gratitude to the fans of the show in a heartfelt tweet. She thanked them for watching and enjoying the show, emphasizing the lifelong friendship she formed with her co-star Beth Behrs.
The cancellation marked the end of an era for Dennings, but she remains proud of her time on the show and looks forward to her future endeavors.
Embracing Gray Hair
In an industry that emphasizes physical perfection, Kat Dennings decided to embrace her natural beauty by proudly showing off her gray hairs on social media. In a candid Instagram post, she shared a close-up photo of her roots and playfully referred to herself as “Glamdalf.” The post garnered praise from fans who appreciated her embrace of authenticity and shared their own experiences with gray hair.
Dennings’ boldness and relatability make her one of the most beloved and genuine actresses in Hollywood.
Unapologetically Political
In the wake of the racial clashes and riots sparked by a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Kat Dennings refused to stay silent. She took to Twitter to express her disgust and shock, reflecting the sentiment of many who were appalled by the events. Dennings’ unapologetic stance and willingness to use her platform to address important issues demonstrate her commitment to social responsibility.
An Anxious Driver
When asked what she would change about herself, Kat Dennings surprised everyone by admitting that she wishes she were a less anxious driver. She finds driving in Los Angeles particularly stressful and tends to get nervous when other cars are in front of her. Dennings recognizes her room for improvement and continues to work on her driving skills.
What Lies Ahead
Kat Dennings has gained a massive following during her career, especially through her role in 2 Broke Girls. As she navigates the future, fans eagerly anticipate her next ventures. Whether Dennings embraces more writing and directing or surprises us with new talents, the young starlet’s future is undoubtedly bright.
