Jane Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American comedienne, actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in comedies such as Best in Show and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and for her recurring role as Dr. Linda Freeman, Charlie's sarcastic therapist on Two and a Half Men. She is currently appearing as Sue Sylvester in the Fox musical-comedy series Glee.Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 5 Television 6 Discography 6.1 Soundtracks 7 Songs 8 References 9 External links
[edit] Early life
Lynch was born and raised in Dolton, Illinois, the daughter of a housewife mother and a banker father.[2] She was raised in an Irish Catholic family[2] and attended Thornridge High School. She received her bachelor's degree in theatre from Illinois State University and her MFA from Cornell University, also in theatre. She lived in Chelsea for a year and a half. [edit] Career
Lynch's extensive theater background involved touring with The Second City comedy troupe and playing Carol Brady in The Real Live Brady Bunch. She also 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 L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center in 2004.
Her breakthrough film role was as Christy Cummings, the butch lesbian personal dog handler to trophy wife Sheri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) in director Christopher Guest's mockumentary Best in Show (2000). She also appeared in Guest's A Mighty Wind (2003) as porn actress-turned-folk singer Laurie Bohner and in For Your Consideration (2006) as an entertainment reporter.
Lynch is also a television performer. She starred with John Hannah and William Fichtner in 2002's MDs, and has made guest appearances in numerous television series, including Judging Amy, The West Wing, 7th Heaven, Friends, Felicity, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, Weeds, Boston Legal, The L Word, Criminal Minds, Help Me Help You, Gilmore Girls, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Psych and Monk among others.
In 2005, Lynch was named as one of POWER UP's "10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz."
Audiences and critics took notice of Lynch for her oddball turn in Judd Apatow's The 40-Year-Old Virgin. She told Fresh Air's Terry Gross the role was originally intended for a man but, at the urging of Steve Carell's wife Nancy Walls, was offered to Lynch instead.[3] Since then, she has starred in a series of films including Role Models, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Space Chimps, The Rocker, The Hammer, Another Cinderella Story, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and Spring Breakdown.[4]
She recently starred in Julie and Julia, playing the role of Dorothy McWilliams, Julia Child's sister. Entertainment Weekly dedicated an article on their website toward the possibility of her performance receiving an Academy Award nomination.[5][6]
She also appeared in the crime drama "Criminal Minds" as Spencer Reid's schizophrenic mother.
As of 2009, Lynch currently appears on the Fox series Glee. Lynch won glowing reviews for her role as the aggressive cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester. Mary McNamara of the LA Times wrote, "Lynch alone makes Glee worth watching."[7] Before her work with Glee, she was a series regular on the Starz comedy Party Down. Though the series was renewed for a second season, Lynch would not be returning due to her work on Glee.[8] On December 15, 2009, Lynch received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film for her role on Glee. The series itself also received nominations in three other categories.[9] [edit] Personal life
Lynch is openly lesbian and married her partner, Dr. Lara Embry, in May 2010. Embry herself received much publicity surrounding a custody battle over two children with her former partner.[10] [edit] FilmographyYear Title Role Notes 1988 Taxi Killer Vice Versa Ms. Linstrom 1992 In the Best Interest of the Children Gwen Hatcher TV Movie, as Jany Lynch Straight Talk Gladys 1993 The Fugitive Dr. Kathy Wahlund Fatal Instinct Prison Reporter 1997 Touch Me Counselor 2000 What Planet Are You From? Doreen Red Lipstick Final TV Newscaster Best in Show Christy Cummings 2001 Nice Guys Finish Last Mom Comedy short Martini Dr. Jane Short 2002 Hiding in Walls Diane Moffet Comedy short Collateral Damage Agent Russo The Big Time Miss Rush TV Movie 2003 A Mighty Wind Laurie Bohner Exposed Julie Gross 2004 Little Black Boot Grace Comedy short Surviving Eden Maude Silver Sleepover Gabby Corky Memoirs of an Evil Stepmother Blanche Monroe Comedy short Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Realtor Uncredited role The Aviator Amelia Earhart Scenes deleted from final cut [11] 2005 Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party Joan Hobbie / Minnie Animated, voice actor Promtroversy Mimi Nimby (Concerned Parent) Comedy short The 40-Year-Old Virgin Paula Bam Bam and Celeste Darlene The Californians Sybill Platt 2006 The List Dr. Davina Separated at Worth Jennifer TV Movie Fifty Pills Doreen Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Lucy Bobby For Your Consideration Cindy The Frank Anderson Dr. Emily Brice Comedy short Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes Joan Hobbie / Minnie Animated, voice actor Eye of the Dolphin Glinton 2007 I Do & I Don't Nora Stelmack Smiley Face Casting Director Suffering Man's Charity Ingrid Love is Love Reverend Greeley Comedy short Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever Joan Hobbie / Minnie Animated, voice actor Alvin and the Chipmunks Gail Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story News Interviewer Uncredited role 2008 The Toe Tactic Honey Strumpet The Hammer Woman in hardware store Adventures of Power Joni Tru Loved Ms. Maple Space Chimps Dr. Poole voice actor The Rocker Lisa Another Cinderella Story Dominique Blatt Direct-to-DVD Role Models Gayle Sweeny Man Maid Sabena 2009 Big Breaks M.J. Short Spring Breakdown Senator Kay Bee Hartmann Weather Girl J.D. Mr. Troop Mom Ms. Hulka Nickelodeon film Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust Video Game/Voice Work Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Diatryma Mom Voice Work Julie & Julia Dorothy McWilliams Post Grad Carmella Malby 2010 Paul TBA forthcoming film Shrek Forever After Gretched
[edit] TelevisionYear Title Role Notes 1993 Bakersfield P.D. Michelle Hathaway Episode: "Bakersfield Madam" Empty Nest Tammy Episode: "The Girl Who Cried Baby" 1994 Married... with Children Greta Episode: "Valentine's Day Massacre" Party of Five Dr. Pennant Episode: "Much Ado" The John Larroquette Show Evaluator Episode: "The Tutor" 1995 In The House Ruth Episode: "Female Trouble" NewsRadio Carol Episode: "The Cane" 1996 Cybill Mrs. Sweeney Episode: "Educating Zoey" 3rd Rock from the Sun Mrs. Koppel Episode: "Dick, Smoker" Caroline in the City Hostess Episode: "Caroline and the Bad Date" Frasier Cynthia Episode: "A Lilith Thanksgiving" 1999 Dharma & Greg Sheryl Episode: "Play Lady Play" 1999-2000 Judging Amy ASA Perkins 3 Episodes: "Pilot", "Drawing the Line" & "Waterworld" 2000 JAG Episode: "The Witches of Gulfport" Gilmore Girls Nurse Episode: "Forgiveness and Stuff" 2000-2001 The West Wing Reporter 2 Episodes: "In The Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part 1" & "Two Cathedrals" 2001 Dawson's Creek Mrs. Witter Episode: "The Te of Pacey" Cursed Carla Episode: "...And Then Jack Had Two Dates" Popular Susie Klein Episode: "I Know What You Did Last Spring Break" The Division Episode: "The First Hit's Free, Baby" Arli$$ Episode: "Giving Something Back" Boston Public Jane Morrell Episode: "Chapter Twenty-Four" Family Law Cheryl Bowman Episode: "No Options" The X-Files Mrs. Anne T. Lokensgard Episode: "Lord of the Flies" The King of Queens Dr. Foreman Episode: "Ovary Action" 2001-2002 Family Guy Dotty Campbell Voice actor, 4 Episodes 7th Heaven Nurse 4 Episodes 2002 Titus Prosecutor Episode: "The Trial" Felicity Professor Carnes 2 Episodes: "Ben Don't Leave" & "The Paper Chase" MDs Aileen Poole, RN, Ph.D Series regular 2003 Watching Ellie Roman Episode: "TV" The Dead Zone Flo McMurtry Episode: "The Storm" Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Oscorp Executive Voice actor, Episode: "Heroes and Villains" According to Jim Janice Episode: "The Lemonade Stand" 2004 NYPD Blue Susanna Howe Episode: "You Da Bomb" Monk Dr. Julie Waterford Episode: "Mr. Monk Gets Married" Las Vegas Helen Putasca Episode: "You Can't Take It With You" Arrested Development Cindi Lightballoon 3 Episodes: "Altar Egos", "Shock and Aww" & "Justice is Blind" Friends Ellen the realtor Episode: "The One Where Estelle Dies" Veronica Mars Mrs. Donaldson Episode: "Return of the Kane" 2005 Unscripted Jane 2 Episodes: "Episode #1.6" & "Episode #1.7" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Ranger Episode: "Unbearable" Blind Justice Dr. Taylor 2 Episodes: "Four Feet Under" & "Rub a Tub Tub" The Life and Times of Juniper Lee Madame Rothchild Voice actor, Episode: "Magic Takes a Holiday" Weeds The Candyman Episode: "Fashion of the Christ" Illeanarama Illeana Douglas project 2005-2006 Rodney Amy O'Brien 2 Episodes: "Rodney Moonlights" & "Rodney Gets a Leg Up" 2006 Desperate Housewives Maxine Bennett Episode: "Silly People" Night Stalker Scientist Episode: "Into Night", uncredited Lovespring International Victoria Ratchford Series regular Help Me Help You Raquel Janes Recurring role, 5 episodes 2006-2008 Criminal Minds Diana Reid 5 Episodes: "The Fisher King: Part 1", "The Fisher King: Part 2", "Revelations", "The Instincts" & "Memoriam" Boston Legal Joanna Monroe 4 Episodes: "Can't We All Get A Lung?", "Dances with Wolves", "The Good Lawyer" & "The Verdict" 2007 Untitled Christine Taylor Project Campus Ladies Professor Episode: "Psych 101" The New Adventures of Old Christine Ms. Hammond 2 Episodes: "The Real Thing" & "Friends" American Dad! Various Voice actor, 2 Episodes: "Surro-Gate" & "The Most Adequate Christmas Ever" 2004-2009 Two and a Half Men Dr. Linda Freeman Recurring minor role 2007- 2009 Handy Manny Jackie Greenway Recurring role 2005-2009 The L Word Joyce Wischnia Recurring role 2008 My Name Is Earl Sissy Episode: "I Won't Die With a Little Help From My Friends" Psych Barbara Dunlap Episode: "There Might Be Blood" 2009 The Spectacular Spider-Man Joan Jameson Voice actor, Episode: "Gangland" Party Down Constance Carmell Series regular Reno 911 Counselor Episode: "Wiegel's Couple's Therapy" 2009-present Glee Sue Sylvester Series regular
Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 2010 The Cleveland Show Ms. Eck Episode: "Love Rollercoaster" Phineas and Ferb Mrs. Johnson TBA
[edit] Discography [edit] Soundtracks 2003: A Mighty Wind 2008: Another Cinderella Story 2010: Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna 2010: Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers [edit] SongsYear Title Notes 2008 "Hold 4 You" Another Cinderella Story 2010 "Vogue" Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna 2010 "Physical (feat.Olivia Newton-John)" Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
