Podtalk: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Voice of Gale in ‘Elemental’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 13, 2023 - 3:58pm

CHICAGO – What does an actor do after a successful run of a TV series? If you are Wendi McLendon-Covey, late of “The Goldbergs,” it’s an animation voiceover gig for Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Studios latest release, “Elemental.” McLendon-Covey is the voice of Gale Cumulus, a city official in a wondrous mix of elements.

In a city where fire, water, earth, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman named Ember (voice of Leah Lewis) and a go-with-the-flow watery guy named Wade (Mamoudou Athie) meet cute as the shop of Ember’s father Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen). Wade is a city inspector, scrutinizing Bernie’s establishment, and he kicks the paperwork upstairs to his boss Gale Cumulus (Wendi McLendon-Covey). The potential fire and water couple are about to discover something elemental … how much they actually have in common.

Wendi McLendon-Covey (inset) Voices Gale in ‘Elemental’
Photo credit: Pixar Animation/Walt Disney Studios

Wendi McLendon-Covey was born and raised in Southern California, and started her comic actor journey with The Groundlings, in a class that included Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig. She got her first break with Comedy Central’s “Reno 911!” and did guest and recurring roles on shows like “The Office” and “Rules of Engagement.” In 2011, she appeared in the ensemble movie comedy “Bridesmaids,” and scored her signature TV role two years later with “The Goldbergs.” She portrayed the sweater-wearing 1980s Mom Beverly until the series ended in 2023.

In Part One of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Wendi McLendon-Covey talks voice animation in “Elemental,” and her twist of fate career path …

In Part Two, of “Bridesmaids” and the end of “The Goldbergs” …

In Part Three, on famous TV Moms, women in the business and the future …

In a video clip, did Wendi get to keep Bev’s sweaters from “The Goldbergs?’ …

Trailer for “Elemental” …

”Elemental” opens in theaters on June 16th. Featuring the voices of Wendy McLendon-Covey, Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommie and Catherine O’Hara. Written by John Hoberg and Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh. Directed by Peter Sohn. Rated “PG”