Jane Kaczmarek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Kaczmarek
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Kaczmarek in 2014
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Jane Frances Kaczmarek
December 21, 1955 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
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| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) Yale University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
Jane Frances Kaczmarek (born December 21, 1955) is an American actress. She is famous for playing Lois in the TV show Malcolm in the Middle. This role earned her many nominations for awards like the Golden Globe Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards. She also appeared in other TV shows like Equal Justice and Raising the Bar. Jane Kaczmarek has been in many TV shows and movies throughout her career.
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Early Life and Education
Jane Kaczmarek was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her mother, Evelyn, was a teacher, and her father, Edward, worked for the US government. She grew up in Greendale, Wisconsin, a small village near Milwaukee. Jane went to Greendale High School. She later studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Yale University.
Acting Career Highlights
Jane Kaczmarek has had a long and successful acting career. She has appeared in many different TV shows and movies.
Becoming Lois in Malcolm in the Middle
In 1999, Jane Kaczmarek got the role of Lois in the TV show Malcolm in the Middle. The show first aired on January 9, 2000. Critics praised her acting and comedic skills in the series. Many people thought her role was a "true breakout" performance. Jane herself said that this show helped her discover her funny side. Before Malcolm, she mostly played serious characters.
Other Notable Roles
Jane Kaczmarek has appeared in many other TV shows. These include St. Elsewhere, Frasier, and Cybill. She also had a regular role in The Paper Chase.
In 2011, she lent her voice to the character Red Jessica in the animated series Jake and the Never Land Pirates. She also narrated a documentary called Wisconsin's Nazi Resistance: The Mildred Fish-Harnack Story. This film was about Mildred Harnack, an American woman who resisted the Nazis.
Jane Kaczmarek also made guest appearances on popular shows like The Middle in 2012. In 2013, she appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Reuniting with Bryan Cranston
In 2013, Jane Kaczmarek and her Malcolm in the Middle co-star, Bryan Cranston, reunited. They played their characters, Lois and Hal, in a special "alternate ending" for the TV show Breaking Bad. This was a fun surprise for fans of both shows.
Personal Life
Jane Kaczmarek married actor Bradley Whitford on August 15, 1992. They lived in Los Angeles and had three children together. They were often seen at public events. They also started a charity called "Clothes Off Our Back." The couple divorced in October 2010.
In April 2004, Jane had hip replacement surgery because of arthritis. She recovered quickly. She even used an X-ray of her new hip in her campaign for an Emmy Award that summer!
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Uncommon Valor | Mrs. Wilkes |
| 1984 | Falling in Love | Ann Raftis |
| 1985 | The Heavenly Kid | Emily Barnes |
| 1985 | Door to Door | Katherine Holloway |
| 1988 | D.O.A. | Gail Cornell |
| 1988 | Vice Versa | Robyn Seymour |
| 1989 | All's Fair | Linda |
| 1996 | The Chamber | Dr. Anne Biddows |
| 1996 | Wildly Available | Rita Goodman |
| 1998 | Pleasantville | David and Jennifer's mom |
| 2015 | The Boat Builder | Katherine |
| 2016 | Wolves at the Door | Mary |
| 2017 | CHiPs | Jane Lindel |
| 2018 | 6 Balloons | Gayle |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | St. Elsewhere | Sandy Burns | 3 episodes |
| 1983 | Remington Steele | Barbara Troy Dannon | Episode: "Altared Steele" |
| 1983 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Penny | Episode: "Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth" |
| 1983–1984 | The Paper Chase | Connie Lehman | 8 episodes |
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Officer Clara Pilksy | 6 episodes |
| 1984 | Something About Amelia | Mrs. Hall | Television movie |
| 1984 | Crazy Like a Fox | Julie Floyd | Pilot episode |
| 1985 | Hometown | Mary Newell Abbott | 10 episodes |
| 1986 | The Right of the People | Alicia | Television movie |
| 1986 | The Christmas Gift | Susan | Television movie |
| 1987 | I'll Take Manhattan | Nina Stern | Television movie |
| 1987 | The Three Kings | Dr. Paula Bolet | Television movie |
| 1988 | American Playhouse | Susan Glaspell | Episode: "Journey Into Genius" |
| 1989 | Spooner | Gail Archer | Television movie |
| 1990–1991 | Equal Justice | Linda Bauer | 22 episodes |
| 1993 | Big Wave Dave's | Karen Fisher | 6 episodes |
| 1994 | Monty | Nickerson | Episode: "Wild, Wild Willy and His O.K. Corral" |
| 1994 | Law & Order | Janet Rudman | Episode: "Censure" |
| 1994 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Mary Reed | Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys" |
| 1994 | L.A. Law | Karen Gershon-woo | Episode: "Whose San Andreas Fault Is It, Anyways?" |
| 1994 | Without Warning | Dr. Caroline Jaffe | Television movie |
| 1995 | Picket Fences | Janice Neiman | Episode: "Heroes and Villains" |
| 1995–1999 | Party of Five | Helene Thompson | 3 episodes |
| 1996 | Touched by an Angel | Bonnie Bell | Episode: "Out of the Darkness" |
| 1996 | ABC Afterschool Specials | Nancy Gallagher | Episode: "Educating Mom" |
| 1996 | Apollo 11 | Jan Armstrong | Television movie |
| 1996–1997 | Cybill | Holly | 5 episodes |
| 1996–1997 | Frasier | Maureen Cutler | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | The Practice | Pamela Boyd | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Felicity | Carol Anderson | 5 episodes |
| 2000–2006 | Malcolm in the Middle | Lois | 151 episodes American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2000–01) Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2001–03) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2000–06) Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (2001, 2003) Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress – Comedy Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series |
| 2001–2025 | The Simpsons | Judge Constance Harm (voice) | 10 episodes |
| 2006–2007 | Help Me Help You | Anne Hoffman | 6 episodes |
| 2008–2009 | Raising the Bar | Judge Trudy Kessler | 23 episodes |
| 2010 | Reviving Ophelia | Marie Jones | Television movie |
| 2011 | Wilfred | Beth | Episode: "Pride" |
| 2011–2012 | Whitney | Candi | 3 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | The Middle | Sandy Armwood | 2 episodes |
| 2012–2015 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Red Jessica (voice) | 12 episodes |
| 2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | D.A. Pam James | Episode: "Beautiful Frame" |
| 2014 | Phineas and Ferb | Denise (voice) | Episode: "Lost in Danville/The Inator Method" |
| 2014 | Us & Them | Pam | 7 episodes |
| 2014–2017 | Playing House | Gwen Crawford | 7 episodes |
| 2015 | The McCarthys | Eileen | Episode: "Sister Act" |
| 2015 | Big Time in Hollywood, FL | Dr. Moore | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Coach Jackie (voice) | Episode: "Ultrahyperball" |
| 2016 | The Big Bang Theory | Dr. Gallo | Episode: "The Sales Call Sublimation" |
| 2016 | Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life | Cindy Barrett | Episode: "How to Survive Your Parents' Visit" |
| 2018 | Animals. | Judge (voice) | Episode: "The Trial" |
| 2018 | This Is Us | Mrs. Philips | Episode: "Katie Girls" |
| 2019 | Trolls: The Beat Goes On! | Mom Cloud (voice) | Episode: "Don't Worry Be Peppy/Two's a Cloud" |
| 2019 | Carol's Second Act | Phyllis | Episode: "Sick and Retired" |
| 2019 | Mixed-ish | Eleanor | Episode: "True Colors" |
| 2023 | The Changeling | Callisto "Cal" | Episode: "The Wise Ones" |
| 2025 | Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair | Lois | Post-production |
Awards and Nominations
Jane Kaczmarek has received many awards and nominations for her acting, especially for her role in Malcolm in the Middle.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Malcolm in the Middle | Nominated |
| 2000 | TCA Awards | Individual Achievement in Comedy | Won | |
| 2001 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2001 | TCA Awards | Individual Achievement in Comedy | Won | |
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Won | |
| 2005 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Ovation Awards | Lead Actress in a Play | Good People | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Jane Kaczmarek para niños
