Dana DeLorenzo is a talented American-born actress best known for her role as Kelly Maxwell in the comedy-horror TV series, Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018). Prior to kick-starting her full time acting career, DeLorenzo worked as a producer on Mancow’s Morning Madhouse, an American nationally-syndicated radio show. The multi-talented actress also garnered massive popularity for playing Beth on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Here’s an exploration of Dana’s life, from her birth to her rise to fame and joining The Late Late Show.
Dana Delorenzo’s Journey To Fame; From Her Childhood To Career Beginnings
She was born Dana Rose DeLorenzo on January 1, 1983, in the United States, precisely in the Ohio city of Youngstown where she also grew up. She is of Italian descent, from the Sicilian ethnic group of Southern Europe. Dana developed a love for the performing arts, particularly comedy from infancy. At age 3, she already owned a tape recorder with which she taped the jokes she told to herself.
Dana’s family background played a significant role in channeling her to the show business. Her father owned a clothing store and she usually featured in the radio commercials for his merchandise as a child. Her brother also had acting talents and the two performed at a paid weekly dinner show when Dana was 11. She later extended her performances to theater, initially participating in the Chicago theatrical productions of the environmental comedy, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding.
DeLorenzo landed her first regular showbiz job in Mancow’s Morning Madhouse, working as both producer and actress on the syndicated radio show. That was after she earned a Media Communications degree from Chicago’s DePaul University. She later featured in several theater productions across Chicago as well as in short films including Rehearsal Time (2004), Night of the Fireflies (2007), Rain: A Love Story (2008), Music Box (2008), and October Surprise (2009). She also starred in the made-for-TV comedy film, Peep Show (2008). DeLorenzo had earlier gathered attention in the late 2000s for portraying singer Amy Winehouse with her tribute band, House of Wine.
In 2011, Dana DeLorenzo relocated to Los Angeles after which she featured in the 3D Christmas comedy film, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. She also made guest appearances on several TV shows including the sketch comedy series, In the Flow with Affion Crockett (2011) and the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls (2011).
Her Career Breakthrough And Rise To Stardom
Following the exposure she earned from her previous roles, especially CBS’ sitcom, 2 Broke Girls, Dana DeLorenzo landed a career-defining role on the network’s The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Dana’s roles as Beth and the voice of Sarah Peterson quickly shot her to the showbiz spotlight in 2012. The same year, she guest-starred in the comedy shows Eagleheart, Workaholics and Sullivan & Son. She soon after got a supporting role as Stoner Molly in the comedy horror film The Moleman of Belmont Avenue (2013). She followed this with an appearance in the 2013 animated telefilm, Timms Valley as well as a starring role in made-for-TV comedy film Two to Go (2014). DeLorenzo also appeared in an episode of the comedy shows, Growing Up Fisher and Californication respectively.
Dana DeLorenzo later landed her big break after she began appearing in the comedy horror series Ash vs Evil Dead in 2015 alongside Bruce Campbell. The same year, she starred in a main role in the one-season-long comedy series, Impress Me. She also made guest appearances on the reality TV parody, Barely Famous (2015). In Ash vs Evil Dead, DeLorenzo played the main role of Kelly Maxwell throughout the 3-season-long series. The role earned her massive critical acclaim as well as a nomination for Best Supporting Actress on Television Award at the 2016 and 2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. After its successful 3-year stint, Ash vs Evil Dead was canceled in April 2018.
While starring as Kelly, DeLorenzo made a guest appearance on an episode of the short-lived comedy series, Driving Arizona (2016). She also played notable roles in the comedy films, The Mad Ones and Three Women in 2017. The multi-talented starlet equally voiced the character Esmeralda in the 5th season of the widely acclaimed Nickelodeon series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2017). More recently, Dana landed roles in TV series such as Will & Grace (2018), Rel (2018) and Perpetual Grace, LTD (2019).
The Late Late Show – A Look At Dana Delorenzo’s Works And Relationship With Craig Ferguson
As earlier mentioned, Dana DeLorenzo made regular appearances on Craig Ferguson’s The Late Late Show in 2012. On the show, she portrayed the character Beth, a “naughty” network executive who was attracted to Craig Ferguson’s character. She also lent her voice to the puppet rhino-headed Sandra Peterson alongside a hilariously bantering skeletal robot, Geoff Peterson.
Craig Ferguson is a renowned actor, TV host and comedian. Craig has an almost countless list of acting credits. He is, however, most famous for his close-to-a-decade job on CBS as the host of his own late-night show, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He also doubled as a writer on a number of episodes on the show which aired from 2005 to 2014.
Meanwhile, owing to some of the “naughty” episodes of The Late Late Show, many began to speculate that there may be more to Dana’s relationship with Craig than just work. This has however, turned out to be false as no significant off-the-screen relationship existed between the duo.
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