Jane Lynch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Lynch
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Lynch at the 2016 Willfilm Awards
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Jane Marie Lynch
July 14, 1960 Evergreen Park, Illinois, U.S.
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| Education | Illinois State University (BA) Cornell University (MFA) |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Lara Embry
(m. 2010; div. 2014)Jennifer Cheyne
(m. 2021) |
Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American actress, comedian, and singer. She is famous for her roles in TV comedies. Jane has won many awards, including a Golden Globe Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2013, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jane Lynch became very well-known for playing Sue Sylvester in the musical comedy series Glee (2009–2015). Before Glee, she appeared in the sitcom Two and a Half Men (2004–2014). She also had roles in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023) and Only Murders in the Building (2021–2024). Besides acting, she hosted the game show Hollywood Game Night (2013–2020). Since 2020, she has been the host and executive producer of The Weakest Link (American version).
Lynch is also known for working with director Christopher Guest. She appeared in his comedy films Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). She has been in many other comedy movies. These include The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006). She has also voiced characters in animated films. Some of these are Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Rio (2011).
Jane Lynch has also performed on stage. She was in the play Love, Loss, and What I Wore in 2009. Her first role on Broadway was Miss Hannigan in Annie in 2013. She returned to Broadway in 2022 as Mrs. Brice in Funny Girl.
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Early Life and Education
Jane Marie Lynch was born on July 14, 1960. She grew up in Dolton, Illinois. Her father was a banker, and her mother was a homemaker and secretary. Jane's family was Catholic. She went to Thornridge High School.
She earned a theater degree from Illinois State University in 1982. Later, she received a master's degree from Cornell University in 1984.
Career Highlights
Early Acting Work
Jane Lynch spent 15 years acting in Chicago. She performed with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She was also one of only two women chosen to join The Second City comedy group. She improved her comedy and improvisation skills at the Annoyance Theater. There, she played Carol Brady in The Real Live Brady Bunch.
Film Roles
Lynch started her film career in 1988. She had a small part in Vice Versa. In 1993, she played a doctor in The Fugitive. She also appeared as a reporter in Fatal Instinct that same year.
During the 1990s, she made many TV commercials. One was for Frosted Flakes, directed by Christopher Guest. Guest later remembered Lynch for his 2000 film Best in Show. In this movie, she played Christy Cummings, a dog handler. She became a regular actress in Guest's films. She appeared in A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006).
Audiences noticed Lynch in Judd Apatow's The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Her role was originally for a man. However, it was offered to Lynch instead. After this, she took many supporting roles in films. These included Role Models, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. She also voiced characters in Space Chimps and Wreck-It Ralph.
In Julie and Julia, she played Dorothy McWilliams, Julia Child's sister. Her performance was highly praised.
Television Appearances
Lynch has appeared in many television series. Some of these include The X-Files, Friends, Desperate Housewives, and Frasier. She also played Spencer Reid's mother in the crime drama Criminal Minds.
In 2009, Lynch became a regular cast member on the Fox series Glee. She played the tough cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester. Critics loved her performance. Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times said, "Lynch alone makes Glee worth watching."
Even while working on Glee, Lynch took on other projects. She hosted Saturday Night Live on October 9, 2010. She also guest-starred on the Nickelodeon comedy iCarly. She played Pam Puckett, Sam Puckett's mother, in the episode "iSam's Mom."
In 2012, Lynch voiced Miss Power in the PBS Kids series WordGirl.
Starting in July 2013, Lynch hosted the NBC game show Hollywood Game Night. In this show, teams of regular people and celebrities competed in party games. The civilians could win up to $25,000.
In 2015, Lynch guest-starred in Girl Meets World. In 2017, she appeared on The Price Is Right for a Celebrity Charity Week.
Lynch was an executive producer for the comedy web series Dropping the Soap. She also starred in the series. She was nominated for an Primetime Emmy Award for her acting in this short-form comedy.
In 2017, Lynch played Janet Reno in the Discovery Channel series Manhunt: Unabomber. Also in 2017, she guest-starred in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Sophie Lennon. She returned for more episodes in the second season.
In 2019, Lynch joined the cast of Final Space as A.V.A., an A.I. She also voiced Patty, Mr. Ratburn's sister, in the PBS Kids series Arthur.
In May 2020, it was announced that Lynch would have a role in the Netflix comedy series Space Force. On July 8, 2020, it was reported that Lynch would host a new version of Weakest Link on NBC. The show started on September 29, 2020.
In November 2021, Lynch voiced Ole Golley in the Apple TV+ animated series Harriet the Spy.
Since 2021, Lynch has played Sazz in the Hulu/Disney+ comedy mystery series Only Murders in the Building.
Other Projects
Lynch wrote and starred in the play Oh Sister, My Sister. It was first produced in 1998.
She has also appeared in commercials for Comcast's XFinity. She also starred in LG Corp.'s Text Ed campaign. This campaign teaches drivers about the dangers of texting while driving.
Lynch hosted the 2010 and 2011 VH1 DoSomething Awards. She also hosted the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards on September 18, 2011. She was only the third woman to host the Emmys alone.
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Lynch wrote an autobiography called Happy Accidents. It was published in 2011. In the book, she talks about her life and overcoming challenges. Lynch is an animal lover. She has four rescue dogs. She has recorded a public service announcement for PETA. It encourages people to adopt shelter animals. She also sponsors an annual adoption event.
In March 2012, Lynch performed in Dustin Lance Black's play 8. This play was a re-enactment of the trial that ended California's ban on same-sex marriage. The performance was broadcast on YouTube to raise money.
Lynch made her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in Annie. Her performances ran from May 15 to July 14, 2013.
In 2014, Lynch joined the Ban Bossy campaign. This campaign encourages girls to take on leadership roles.
In 2015, Lynch started her cabaret show called See Jane Sing. She sings with Kate Flannery and Tim Davis. In 2016, Lynch released A Swingin' Little Christmas. This Christmas album featured her singing group. The album was very popular and reached the top 10 on the Billboard AC Chart. In 2017, Lynch recorded a Christmas song with actor Dick Van Dyke.
In October 2021, she was cast in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl as Rosie Brice. Her performances began on April 24, 2022.
In 2022, Lynch was named honorary "mayor of Funner." This is a special role for Harrah's Resort Southern California. In this role, Lynch promotes the resort. She highlights its vegan food options and non-alcoholic drinks.
Personal Life
Jane Lynch married Lara Embry on May 31, 2010. They divorced in January 2014.
In November 2021, Lynch married Jennifer Cheyne.
Lynch is deaf in her right ear. She believes this was caused by a high fever when she was a baby.
Awards and Achievements
Jane Lynch has received many awards for her acting. For her role as Sue Sylvester in Glee, she won a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She has won five Primetime Emmy Awards from twelve nominations. She also has two Screen Actors Guild Awards from six nominations. She won a Golden Globe Award from two nominations. In 2013, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Jane Lynch para niños
