What Happened to Kimberly Williams-Paisley?
Kimberly Williams-Paisley is an American actress, author, and philanthropist known for her roles in 'Father of the Bride,' 'According to Jim,' and 'Nashville.' In recent years, she has expanded her career as the host of 'Farmer Wants a Wife' and a star in '9-1-1: Nashville,' while continuing her advocacy for Alzheimer's awareness and co-founding 'The Store,' a free grocery initiative, which opened its second location in 2026.
Quick Answer
Kimberly Williams-Paisley remains active in Hollywood, currently starring in the ABC series '9-1-1: Nashville' and hosting the third season of 'Farmer Wants a Wife' as of 2025-2026. She continues her significant philanthropic work as the co-founder of 'The Store,' a free grocery store for those in need, which expanded with a second location in January 2026. Williams-Paisley also maintains her role as an Alzheimer's advocate and recently celebrated her 23rd wedding anniversary with husband Brad Paisley in March 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Rye, New York
Kimberly Payne Williams was born in Rye, New York, the daughter of Linda Barbara and Gurney Williams III.
Breakthrough Role in 'Father of the Bride'
Williams-Paisley gained widespread recognition for her starring role as Annie Banks in the hit comedy film 'Father of the Bride,' alongside Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.
Reprise Role in 'Father of the Bride Part II'
She reprised her role as Annie Banks in the successful sequel, 'Father of the Bride Part II.'
Stars in 'The 10th Kingdom'
Williams-Paisley starred as Virginia Lewis in the popular fantasy miniseries 'The 10th Kingdom.'
Begins Role in 'According to Jim'
She began her long-running role as Dana in the ABC comedy series 'According to Jim,' which aired for eight seasons.
Marries Brad Paisley
Kimberly Williams married country music singer Brad Paisley in a surprise ceremony at Pepperdine University.
Publishes 'Where the Light Gets In'
Her memoir, 'Where the Light Gets In: Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again,' detailing her mother's battle with dementia, was published and became a New York Times bestseller.
Co-founds 'The Store'
Kimberly and Brad Paisley co-founded 'The Store,' a free, referral-based grocery store in Nashville to combat food insecurity.
Experiences Vocal Cord Paralysis
Williams-Paisley experienced partial vocal cord paralysis, leading to a period where she could only speak in a whisper.
Undergoes Vocal Cord Surgery
She underwent surgery to correct her vocal cord paralysis, which involved a permanent implant.
Joins '9-1-1: Nashville' and Hosts 'Farmer Wants a Wife'
Williams-Paisley began starring as Cammie Raleigh in the new ABC series '9-1-1: Nashville' and took over as host for the third season of 'Farmer Wants a Wife.'
The Store Opens Second Location
The non-profit 'The Store,' co-founded by Williams-Paisley, opened its second location on the TriStar Centennial Medical Center campus in Nashville.
Celebrates 23rd Wedding Anniversary
Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Brad Paisley celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary.
Attends Disney Upfront
Williams-Paisley was photographed attending the 2026 Disney Upfront event in New York City.
Shares Tribute to Diane Keaton
Williams-Paisley posted a special dedication on Instagram to her late 'Father of the Bride' co-star Diane Keaton, who passed away in October 2025, sharing items from Keaton's wardrobe.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kimberly Williams-Paisley rose to prominence with her breakthrough role as Annie Banks in the 1991 film 'Father of the Bride' and its 1995 sequel, establishing her as a recognizable face in romantic comedies. Her career further diversified with a lead role in the fantasy miniseries 'The 10th Kingdom' in 2000 and a long-running co-starring role as Dana in the ABC sitcom 'According to Jim,' which concluded its eight-season run in 2009.
Beyond acting, Williams-Paisley has become a New York Times bestselling author. Her 2016 memoir, 'Where the Light Gets In: Losing My Mother Only to Find Her Again,' chronicles her mother's battle with primary progressive aphasia, a form of dementia. This personal experience fueled her dedication to Alzheimer's advocacy, leading her to become a spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association and host annual fundraisers like the 'Dance Party to End Alz' in Nashville.
In recent years, Williams-Paisley has maintained a busy schedule across television and philanthropy. She joined the cast of the new ABC drama series '9-1-1: Nashville' in 2025, portraying Cammie Raleigh, and the show was renewed for a second season in March 2026. Additionally, she took over hosting duties for the third season of Fox's reality series 'Farmer Wants a Wife' in 2025. Personally, she faced a health challenge in 2023, experiencing partial vocal cord paralysis that left her unable to speak above a whisper for two years, undergoing successful surgery in August 2024 to correct the issue.
Her commitment to community service is evident through 'The Store,' a free, referral-based grocery store she co-founded with her husband, country musician Brad Paisley, in Nashville in 2020. This non-profit aims to address food insecurity and empower families by providing choices for their food needs. The initiative has been highly successful, surpassing over a million meals donated in its first year and doubling its customer base by 2024. In a significant expansion, 'The Store' opened its second location on January 14, 2026, on the TriStar Centennial Medical Center campus, aiming to more than double the number of families served. Williams-Paisley also continues her global ambassador role for CARE International, advocating for women and children worldwide.
As of August 2026, Williams-Paisley continues to balance her acting career with her extensive advocacy and philanthropic efforts. She and Brad Paisley celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary in March 2026, reflecting on their enduring relationship. She also attended the 2026 Disney Upfront in May and shared a heartfelt tribute to her late 'Father of the Bride' co-star Diane Keaton in August 2026, showcasing her continued connection to her iconic roles and colleagues.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kimberly Williams-Paisley made different choices?