Jane Lynch : biography
Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American actress, singer, and comedian. She gained fame in Christopher Guest’s improv mockumentary pictures such as Best in Show. Notable awards she has won for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester in Glee include the Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy, Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film, and the People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress. Her television cameos include an appearance in the Nickelodeon situation comedy iCarly and the Showtime dark comedy series Weeds. Lynch had a recurring role in the Warner Bros. situation comedy Two and a Half Men and also has had notable roles in numerous mainstream comedies, such as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Role Models, and The Three Stooges.
Early life
Lynch was born and raised in Dolton, Illinois, the daughter of a homemaker-secretary mother, Eileen (née Carney), and a banker father, Frank Lynch. Her father was of Irish descent and her mother was of Irish and Swedish ancestry. She was raised in a Catholic family and attended Thornridge High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in theater from Illinois State University and her MFA in theater from Cornell University.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | Taxi Killer | ||
1988 | Vice Versa | Ms. Linstrom | |
1992 | In the Best Interest of the Children | Gwen Hatcher | Television film, as Jany Lynch |
1992 | Straight Talk | Gladys | Voice role only. Not seen onscreen. |
1993 | The|Fugitive|dab=1993 film}} | Dr. Kathy Wahlund | |
1993 | Fatal Instinct | Prison Reporter | |
1997 | Touch Me | Counselor | |
2000 | What Planet Are You From? | Doreen | |
2000 | Red Lipstick | Final TV Newscaster | |
2000 | Color Me Gay | Executive / Do-Rag Lesbian | Finalist at the 2nd PlanetOut.com Short Movie Awards |
2000 | Best in Show | Christy Cummings | |
2001 | Nice Guys Finish Last | Mom | Comedy short |
2001 | Martini | Dr. Jane | Short film |
2002 | Hiding in Walls | Diane Moffet | Comedy short |
2002 | Collateral Damage | Agent Russo | |
2002 | The|Big Time|nolink=1}} | Miss Rush | Television film |
2003 | A|Mighty Wind}} | Laurie Bohner | Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best CastNominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast |
2003 | Exposed | Julie Gross | |
2004 | Little Black Boot | Grace | Comedy short |
2004 | Surviving Eden | Maude Silver | |
2004 | Sleepover | Gabby Corky | |
2004 | Memoirs of an Evil Stepmother | Blanche Monroe | Comedy short |
2004 | Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events | Realtor | Uncredited role |
2004 | The|Aviator|dab=2004 film}} | Amelia Earhart | Scenes deleted from final cut |
2005 | Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party | Joan Hobbie / Minnie | Voice role |
2005 | Promtroversy | Mimi Nimby (Concerned Parent) | Comedy short |
2005 | The|40-Year-Old Virgin}} | Paula | |
2005 | Bam Bam and Celeste | Darlene | |
2005 | The|Californians}} | Sybill Platt | |
2006 | The|List|nolink=1}} | Dr. Davina | |
2006 | Separated at Worth | Jennifer | Television film |
2006 | Fifty Pills | Doreen | |
2006 | Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | Lucy Bobby | |
2006 | For Your Consideration | Cindy | Nominated—Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast |
2006 | The|Frank Anderson|nolink=1}} | Dr. Emily Brice | Comedy short |
2006 | Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes | Joan Hobbie / Minnie | Voice role |
2006 | Eye of the Dolphin | Glinton | Lovespring International |
2007 | I Do & I Don’t | Nora Stelmack | Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival Jury Award for Best Actress Comedy |
2007 | Smiley Face | Casting Director | |
2007 | Suffering Man’s Charity | Ingrid | |
2007 | Love Is Love | Reverend Greeley | Comedy short |
2007 | Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever | Joan Hobbie / Minnie | Voice role |
2007 | Alvin and the Chipmunks | Gail | |
2007 | Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story | News Interviewer | Uncredited role |
2008 | The|Toe Tactic|nolink=1}} | Honey Strumpet | |
2008 | The|Hammer|dab=film}} | Woman in hardware store | |
2008 | Adventures of Power | Joni | |
2008 | Tru Loved | Ms. Maple | |
2008 | Space Chimps | Dr. Poole | Voice role |
2008 | The|Rocker|dab=film}} | Lisa | |
2008 | Another Cinderella Story | Dominique Blatt | Direct-to-DVD |
2008 | Role Models | Gayle Sweeny | |
2008 | Man Maid | Sabena | |
2009 | Big Breaks | M.J. | Short |
2009 | Spring Breakdown | Senator Kay Bee Hartmann | |
2009 | Weather Girl | J.D. | |
2009 | Mr. Troop Mom | Ms. Hulka | Nickelodeon film |
2009 | Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust | Voice role | |
2009 | Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | Diatryma Mom | Voice role |
2009 | Julie & Julia | Dorothy McWilliams | |
2009 | Post Grad | Carmella Malby | |
2010 | Shrek Forever After | Gretchen | Voice role |
2010 | Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back | Dr. Poole | Voice role |
2011 | Rio | Yo/Alice | Voice role |
2011 | Paul | Pat Stevenson | |
2012 | The|Three Stooges|dab=film}} | Mother Superior | |
2012 | Wreck-It Ralph | Sergeant Calhoun | Voice role |
2012 | Dino Time | Sue | Voice role |
2012 | Abominable Christmas | Margaret Knowhow | Voice role |
2013 | Escape from Planet Earth | Io | Voice role |