Jane Lynch

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Jane Lynch
Lynch at the 2016 Willfilm Awards
Born
Jane Marie Lynch

(1960-07-14) July 14, 1960 (age 64)
Evergreen Park, Illinois, U.S.
EducationIllinois State University (BA)
Cornell University (MFA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • singer
  • author
  • television presenter
Years active1988–present
Spouses
Lara Embry
​
​
(m. 2010; div. 2014)​
Jennifer Cheyne
​
(m. 2021)​
Websitejanelynchofficial.com

Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960)[1] is an American actress, comedian, and singer. Known for playing starring and recurring roles in comedic television, her accolades include one Golden Globe, five Primetime Emmys and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2013, Lynch received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

After appearing in the sitcom Two and a Half Men (2004–2014) and the drama series The L Word (2005–2009), Lynch achieved her breakthrough role as Sue Sylvester in the musical comedy series Glee (2009–2015). She then played recurring roles in the period comedy series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023), the drama series The Good Fight (2017–2022), and the mystery comedy series Only Murders in the Building (2021–2024). In addition to acting on television, she hosted the game show Hollywood Game Night (2013–2020) and, since 2020, serves as the host and executive producer of the game show The Weakest Link (American version).

Lynch gained recognition for her collaborations with Christopher Guest, appearing in the mockumentary films Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006).[2][3][4] She has had roles in numerous mainstream comedy films, such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Role Models (2008), Paul (2011), and The Three Stooges (2012). She has lent her voice to numerous animated films, including Space Chimps (2008), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Shrek Forever After (2010), Rio (2011), the Wreck-It Ralph film franchise (2012–2018), Escape from Planet Earth (2013), and UglyDolls (2019).

Lynch is also known for her stage work including her role in

Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in the revival of Annie in 2013. She returned to Broadway as Mrs. Brice in another revival, Funny Girl
, in 2022.

Early life

Jane Marie Lynch was born on July 14, 1960, in Evergreen Park, Illinois,[5] and raised in Dolton, Illinois, the daughter of a banker father, Frank Joseph Lynch,[6] and a homemaker-secretary mother, Eileen Lynch (née Carney).[7][8][9] Her father was of Irish descent, his parents having come from Sonnagh, near Charlestown and Culduff, Killasser, near Swinford both in County Mayo respectively,[10][11][12] and her mother was of Irish and Swedish ancestry.[13] She was raised in a Catholic family[14] and attended Thornridge High School.[7] She graduated from Illinois State University in 1982 with a theater degree, and earned a master of fine arts degree from Cornell University in 1984.

Career

Early work

Lynch spent 15 years in Chicago, acting in the

Mike Brady in the New York shows. He and Lynch became very good friends.[16]

Film work

Lynch got her start in films in 1988, playing a small role in the film Vice Versa. In 1993, she had a secondary role as a doctor alongside Harrison Ford in The Fugitive.[17] She also appeared, that same year, as a reporter in Fatal Instinct.

During the 1990s, she made numerous

television commercials, including one for Frosted Flakes for an adult audience, directed by Christopher Guest. A few years later, Guest would remember Lynch as he chose actors for his 2000 dog show mockumentary Best in Show. Lynch played Christy Cummings, a butch lesbian personal dog handler to trophy wife Sheri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge). From there, she became a staple actress in Guest's casts, appearing in the director's A Mighty Wind (2003) as porn actress-turned-folk singer Laurie Bohner and in For Your Consideration
(2006) as an entertainment reporter.

Audiences and critics took notice of Lynch for her turn in

Nancy Walls, it was offered to Lynch instead.[18] From there, she took supporting roles in a series of films including Role Models, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Space Chimps, The Rocker, The Hammer, Another Cinderella Story, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Wreck-It Ralph and Spring Breakdown.[19]

In

Academy Award nomination.[20][21]
However, she was not nominated. She provided the voice of Bobbi St. Simone in The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart 2023.

Television work

Lynch has appeared in many television series, including

schizophrenic
mother.

In 2008 she narrated Out & Proud in Chicago, a documentary which tells about

LGBT life in Chicago from the Civil War to 2008 through the stories of 20 everyday Chicagoans, from age 30 to age 80.[22]

Jane Lynch at the 69th Annual Peabody Awards for Glee

Beginning in 2009, Lynch appeared as a regular cast member of the Fox series

Starz comedy Party Down. Though the series was renewed for a second season, Lynch did not return due to her work on Glee.[24]

Even in Glee's early days, Lynch continued to pursue other projects. Lynch hosted Saturday Night Live on October 9, 2010; the news of her hosting was accidentally broken to her by her Glee boss, Ryan Murphy, by text message.[25] Lynch had also guest-starred on the Nickelodeon comedy iCarly as Pam Puckett, Sam Puckett's mother, in the episode "iSam's Mom."

Beginning on July 11, 2013, Lynch hosted the NBC game show Hollywood Game Night. The show had two teams made up of members of the public (civilians) and celebrities competing in various party games, with a chance for the civilians to take home up to $25,000.[26]

Lynch was the co-host of the NBC special

New Year's Eve with Carson Daly on December 31, 2013, alongside Carson Daly, host of The Voice
.

In 2015, Lynch guest-starred in the television series Girl Meets World in the episode "Girl Meets Farkle's Choice".[27]

On February 21, 2017, Lynch appeared on

The Price Is Right
as a Celebrity Charity Week contestant.

In March 2013, Lynch was announced as executive producer of comedy

Amazon Video.[30]

In 2017, Lynch portrayed

Manhunt: Unabomber.[31]

Also in 2017, Lynch guest-starred in Episode 7 of

Marvelous Mrs Maisel as popular but dislikeable comic Sophie Lennon. Lynch returned in the role for two episodes at the end of the second season.[32][33]

In 2019, Lynch joined the main cast of Final Space as A.V.A., the A.I. of the Crimson Light.[34]

In May 2020, it was reported that Lynch will appear in a recurring role on the Netflix comedy series Space Force.[35]

On July 8, 2020, it was reported by Vulture that Lynch would host a revival of Weakest Link on NBC.[36] The show debuted on September 29, 2020.[37]

In November 2021, Lynch voiced Ole Golley in the Apple TV+ animated series Harriet the Spy.

Lynch has played recurring character Sazz in the Hulu/Disney+ comedy mystery series Only Murders in the Building since its beginning in 2021.[38]

Other work

Lynch wrote and starred in the award-winning play Oh Sister, My Sister. Originally produced in 1998, the play kicked off the Lesbians in Theater program at the

Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in 2004.[39]

She starred in

LG Corp.'s Text Ed campaign to educate drivers about the dangers of texting while driving.[40]

Lynch's first experience hosting an awards show was in 2010 when she hosted the 2010 VH1

DoSomething Awards.[41] It was announced that she will be hosting the 2011 VH1 DoSomething Awards, airing on VH1 on August 18.[42] Lynch hosted the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards on September 18, 2011, only the third woman in Emmy history to host the awards show solo.[43] According to the edition of September 19 of The Hollywood Reporter, Lynch hosting the Emmys did not help ratings, as viewing was down 8% year over year and eight million fewer people watched the Emmys than watched Michael Vick's return to Atlanta on Sunday Night Football on NBC (21.5 million for Eagles-Falcons, 13.5 million for the Emmys).[44]

Kevin Norte
, at Autum P-FLAG 2010's Charitable Event at The London Hotel, West Hollywood

An autobiography written by Lynch, titled Happy Accidents, was published in the fall of 2011 by

rescue dogs.[48] She has recorded a PSA for PETA encouraging the adoption of shelter animals, and she sponsors an annual adoption event at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.[49][50] She was the commencement speaker for Smith College
's class of 2012 where she received an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts.

In March 2012, Lynch was featured with

Wilshire Ebell Theatre and broadcast on YouTube to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.[52][53]

Lynch made her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in Annie for a limited engagement lasting from May 15 to July 14, 2013. She took the place of Katie Finneran.[54]

In 2014, Lynch joined the Ban Bossy campaign as a spokesperson advocating leadership roles for girls.[55]

In 2015, Lynch debuted See Jane Sing, a cabaret show in which she sings along with Kate Flannery from The Office and Tim Davis from ABC's Boy Band, accompanied by the Tony Guerrero Quintet. As of 2019, the show continued to tour around the country. In 2016, Lynch released A Swingin' Little Christmas, a nostalgic Christmas album featuring the See Jane Sing ensemble and released on Lynch's own KitschTone Records label. The album received substantial airplay around the country and landed on the Billboard AC Chart's Top 10. In 2017, Lynch recorded a Christmas single with actor Dick Van Dyke. The song was composed and produced by Tony Guerrero and was released by KitschTone Records.

In 2020, Lynch directed her first two TV commercials for the production company STORY,[56] and joined its roster of commercial directors.

In October 2021, she was cast in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl as Rosie Brice.[57] Her stint ran from opening on April 24, 2022, to an expected August 14, 2022 conclusion.[58]

In 2022, Lynch was named honorary "mayor of Funner", the putative location of Harrah's Resort Southern California. In this role, Lynch promotes the resort, including its additional vegan food options and non-alcoholic beverages as Lynch does not eat animal products nor drink alcohol.[59]

Personal life

Lynch married Lara Embry on May 31, 2010, in Sunderland, Massachusetts.[60][61] In June 2013, Lynch announced that they were divorcing.[62] Their divorce was finalized in January 2014.[63]

In November 2021, Lynch married longtime partner Jennifer Cheyne in Santa Barbara, California.[64]

Lynch is deaf in her right ear. She speculated to Craig Ferguson on a July 19, 2013 broadcast of The Late Late Show that the deafness was most likely caused by having had a high fever as an infant.[65]

Acting credits and accolades

Main articles: List of Jane Lynch performances and List of awards and nominations received by Jane Lynch

For playing

Golden Globe Award from two nominations. In 2013, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[71]

References

  1. ^ UPI Staff. "Famous birthdays for July 14: Jane Lynch, Taboo". United Press International. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Freeman, Hadley (September 19, 2011). "Jane Lynch: 'I came wired with extra angst'". The Guardian. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  3. ^ Holmes, Linda (September 16, 2011). "Jane Lynch: A Life Of 'Happy Accidents'". NPR. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  4. ^ Chaney, Jen (September 18, 2011). "Jane Lynch: Five things you may not know about the Emmy host and 'Glee star'". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. ^ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Season 11. Episode 2036. November 18, 2014. Evergreen Park? I was born in Evergreen Park! Little Company of Mary. The hospital.
  6. ^ "Francis J. Lynch Obituary (2003) Chicago Tribune". Legacy.com.
  7. ^ a b c Berrin, Danielle (January 9, 2010). "Jane Lynch: 'I'm just a goof'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  8. ^ Goldman, Andrew (January 24, 2011). "See Jane Run". Elle. Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  9. ^ "Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch". NPR. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  10. ^ Grandparents, Swinford (September 29, 2016). "Gleeful Jane Lynch leaves Ireland with full heart". RTE News. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Mayo, Grandparents (October 3, 2013). "Jane Lynch on adults behaving like kids in A.C.O.D." Irish Central. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  12. ^ Stated on Finding Your Roots, February 2, 2021
  13. ^ Bowles, Hamish (July 14, 2011). "Queen Jane Lynch". Vogue. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  14. ^ Tecum, Dykeus (November 7, 2011). "Jane Lynch". Good Catholic Dykes. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  15. ^ Stated on Inside the Actors Studio, 2012
  16. ^ "Jane Lynch at Outfest". Her Name is Jane Lynch. June 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011.
  17. ISBN 9781401342753
    . This was a huge deal—my first big Hollywood movie. I played Dr. Kathy Wahlund, a researcher and forensic scientist who helps Richard Kimble prove his innocence.
  18. ^ "The many roles of 'Glee' meanie Jane Lynch". npr.org. NPR. November 4, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  19. ^ Williamson, Kevin (August 18, 2009). "40 is the new 20 for Jane Lynch". Toronto Sun.
  20. ^ Slezak, Michael (August 14, 2009). "Jane Lynch: How 'bout an Oscar nod for her work in 'Julie & Julia'?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  21. ^ Perry, Byron (March 5, 2008). "Jane Lynch". Variety. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  22. ^ "Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  23. ^ McNamara, Mary (May 19, 2009). "'Glee' on Fox". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  24. E! Online
    . Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  25. Us. Us Weekly
    . August 11, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  26. ^ "Hollywood Game Night". NBC. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  27. ^ Nicholson, Max (February 7, 2015). "Girl Meets World: "Girl Meets Farkle's Choice" Review". IGN. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  28. ^ Marechal, AJ (March 11, 2013). "Jane Lynch, Lisa Kudrow Launch Digital Series 'Dropping the Soap'". Variety. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  29. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  30. ^ Gaynor, Emily (March 7, 2017). "Jane Lynch on Her Hilarious Queer Web Series Dropping the Soap". Out. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  31. South Florida Sun-Sentinel
    . Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  32. ^ "Jane Lynch Teases Her Character Is Out for 'Revenge' in 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Season 2 (Exclusive)". ET Online. November 6, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2019. "Sophie Lennon, as you know, is a stand-up comedian, who in real life is a very smug, self-satisfied erudite woman," Lynch said.
  33. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 15, 2018). "Jane Lynch To Reprise Emmy-Nominated Role On 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'". Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  34. ^ "Final Space Season 2 to Premiere June 24, 2019, on Adult Swim". Anime Superhero. June 1, 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  35. ^ Newman, Vicki (May 5, 2020). "First look at Steve Carell in Space Force as he reunites with team behind The Office". Daily Mirror. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  36. ^ Adalian, Josef (July 8, 2020). "Jane Lynch Is Hosting a Weakest Link Revival for NBC". Vulture. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  37. ^ Hurley, Laura (September 29, 2020). "How Weakest Link's Jane Lynch Did As Host Of The New NBC Reboot". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  38. ^ "How 'Only Murders in the Building' Crafted the Ultimate Season 3 Cliffhanger". Vanity Fair. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  39. ^ Andrea LeVasseur. "Jane Lynch". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  40. ^ "Jane Lynch is a Text Ed Teacher". Her Name is Jane Lynch. August 25, 2010. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  41. ^ "Jane Lynch hosts DoSomething Awards, talks gay marriage, and Glee". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 28, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  42. PRNewswire
    .
  43. ^ "Is Jane Lynch Going to Host the Emmys?". Los Angeles Times. May 24, 2011.
  44. ^ Guthrie, Marisa; Powers, Lindsay (September 19, 2011). "Emmy Ratings Down Among Viewers But Steady in Younger Demo". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  45. ^ "Previews of Happy Accidents". Her Name is Jane Lynch. May 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  46. ^ Newman, Judith (September 16, 2011). "Jane Lynch Finds Herself". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  47. ^ Freeman, Hadley (September 19, 2011). "Jane Lynch: 'I came wired with extra angst'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  48. ^ Copelan, Christine (August 2, 2018). "'There's No Reason to Go to a Puppy Mill': Jane Lynch Talks Rescue Pets". Parade Pets. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  49. ^ "Jane Lynch Stands Up for Bitches," Ecorazzi Archived November 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine February 1, 2011.
  50. ^ Sue Manning,"Glee's Lynch and Dog Go to Bat for Shelter Mutts," Salon.com, May 16, 2013.
  51. ^ "'Glee' Stars 'Touched' By Pitt & Clooney's Support Of '8'". Access Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  52. ^ ""8": A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality". YouTube. March 3, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  53. ^ "YouTube to broadcast Proposition 8 play live". pinknews.co.uk. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  54. ^ Jones, Kenneth (February 20, 2013). "Jane Lynch to Make Broadway Debut, Stepping Into Miss Hannigan's Stockings in Annie". Playbill. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  55. ^ Jolie Lee (March 10, 2014). "Beyonce, Jennifer Garner, Jane Lynch join 'Ban Bossy" campaign". USA Today. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  56. ^ "Jane Lynch Launches Career As a Commercial Director via STORY". January 28, 2020.
  57. ^ White, Abbey (October 6, 2021). "Jane Lynch Joins Broadway Revival of 'Funny Girl'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  58. ^ "'No Drama Here. None.' Jane Lynch on Starring In and Leaving Broadway's Funny Girl".
  59. ^ "Column: Jane Lynch's party politics are more party than politics". San Diego Union-Tribune. June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  60. ^ Schwartz, Paula (June 6, 2010). "Jane Lynch and Lara Embry". The New York Times. p. ST10. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  61. ^ Everett, Cristina (January 26, 2010). "'Glee' actress Jane Lynch set to wed girlfriend, Dr. Lara Embry, in May 2010". New York Daily News. New York. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  62. ^ Rizzo, Monica (June 10, 2013). "Jane Lynch and Lara Embry to Divorce". People. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  63. ^ Sperry, April (January 8, 2014). "Jane Lynch Finalizes Divorce From Wife Lara Embry". HuffPost. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  64. ^ "Jane Lynch Recalls City Hall Wedding with Jennifer Cheyne: 'I Shed a Tear'", People, June 2, 2022
  65. ^ Ferguson, Craig (host); Lynch, Jane (Guest) (July 19, 2013). "Interview in season 9". The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
  66. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 13, 2015). "Jane Lynch Dedicates Emmy Award To Late Agent Gabrielle Krengel". Deadline. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  67. ^ "Jane Lynch". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  68. ^ Fernandez, Sofia M. (July 31, 2010). "'Glee' tops TCA Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  69. ^ Amy Rickman Gleeful – A Totally Unofficial Guide to the Hit TV Series Glee, p. 65, at Google Books
  70. ^ Neel, Julia. "People's Choice Awards 2011". British Vogue. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  71. ^ "Jane Lynch to get Walk of Fame star". www.news.cornell.edu/essentials/2013/08/jane-lynch-get-walk-fame-star-0. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
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Preceded by Host of the American game Weakest Link
2020–present 		Incumbent
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