Jane Lynch
A scene-stealing character actress first known to fans of Christopher Guest films for her breakout role as dog trainer Christy Cummings in "Best in Show" (2000), Jane Lynch eventually went on to earn lead actor status in a variety of projects. Lynch's talent for playing confident and normal characters with a suggestion of something slightly twisted beneath the surface made her a perfect fit for mainstream comedies like "The 40-Year Old Virgin" (2005) and "Talladega Nights" (2006) - both of which established her persona. Her prolific film work and dizzying schedule as a TV guest star led to recurring roles on "Two and a Half Men" (CBS, 2003-15), "The L Word" (Showtime, 2005-09), and eventually starring status on "Glee" (Fox, 2009-2015), the high school theater send-up that showcased Lynch's talent for putting her offbeat spin on typically buttoned-up characters. In fact, it was her turn as the high school gym teacher and arch-nemesis Sue Sylvester on "Glee" that catapulted the always funny Lynch into a household name. Meanwhile, Lynch became the unofficial spokesperson for LGBT rights when she married her longtime partner, Lara Embry, in 2010. (The couple divorced in 2014.) Whether on television or the silver screen - or even as host of the Emmy Awards - Lynch always elevated the material with her biting wit and unending comic talent.
Photos
Jane Lynch
Filmography
Movies
Credit | |||||
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No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dolly Parton's Pet Gala | Self | - | 2024 |
No Score Yet |
|
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love | Self | - | 2023 |
92% | No Score Yet | The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart | Bobbi St. Simone (Voice) | - | 2023 |
No Score Yet |
|
Ivy + Bean | Unknown (Character) | - | 2022 |
No Score Yet |
|
Ivy + Bean: The Ghost That Had to Go | Unknown (Character) | - | 2022 |
69% |
|
100% Wolf | The Commander (Voice) | $300.0K | 2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | #NoJoke | Unknown (Character) | - | 2019 |
30% |
|
UglyDolls |
Scanner/ |
$20.1M | 2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dropping the Soap |
Olivia Vanderstein (Character), Executive Producer |
- | 2018 |
88% |
|
Ralph Breaks the Internet | Calhoun (Voice) | $201.1M | 2018 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Ralph Breaks the Internet | Calhoun (Voice) | - | 2018 |
No Score Yet |
|
A Stork's Journey | Olga (Voice) | - | 2017 |
48% |
|
Mascots | Gabby Monkhouse (Character) | - | 2016 |
No Score Yet |
|
After the Reality | Doctor (Character) | - | 2016 |
22% |
|
The Late Bloomer | Caroline (Character) | - | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Adventure Planet | Unknown (Character) | - | 2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | To Russia With Love | Herself - Narrator (Voice) | - | 2014 |
No Score Yet |
|
Jungle Master | Ilene (Voice) | - | 2013 |
66% |
|
Afternoon Delight | Lenore (Character) | $174.5K | 2013 |
35% |
|
Escape From Planet Earth | Io (Voice) | - | 2013 |
52% |
|
A.C.O.D. | Dr. Judith (Character) | $172.3K | 2013 |
No Score Yet |
|
Dino Time | Sue (Voice) | - | 2012 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Delhi Safari | Female Flamingo (Voice) | - | 2012 |
87% |
|
Wreck-It Ralph | Sgt. Calhoun (Voice) | $189.4M | 2012 |
51% |
|
The Three Stooges | Mother Superior (Character) | $44.3M | 2012 |
72% |
|
Rio | Alice (Voice) | - | 2011 |
70% |
|
Paul | Pat Lynch (Character) | $37.4M | 2011 |
No Score Yet |
|
Birds of Paradise | Rosie (Voice) | - | 2010 |
58% |
|
Shrek Forever After | Gretched (Voice) | - | 2010 |
9% |
|
Post Grad | Mrs. Malby (Character) | $6.4M | 2009 |
77% |
|
Julie & Julia | Dorothy McWilliams (Character) | $94.1M | 2009 |
33% |
|
Weather Girl | J.D. (Character) | $20.9K | 2009 |
46% |
|
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | Diatryma Mom (Voice) | - | 2009 |
No Score Yet |
|
Mr. Troop Mom | Miss Hulka (Character) | - | 2009 |
50% |
|
Spring Breakdown | Sen. Hartman (Character) | - | 2009 |
No Score Yet |
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Man Maid | Sabena (Character) | - | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
|
Sunshine Barry & the Disco Worms | Unknown (Voice) | - | 2008 |
32% |
|
Adventures of Power | Joni (Character) | $17.2K | 2008 |
40% |
|
The Toe Tactic | Honey Strumpet (Character) | - | 2008 |
77% |
|
Role Models | Sweeny (Character) | $67.3M | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
|
Another Cinderella Story | Dominique (Character) | - | 2008 |
40% |
|
The Rocker | Fish's Sister (Character) | $6.4M | 2008 |
32% |
|
Space Chimps | Dr. Poole (Voice) | $30.1M | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
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I Do & I Don't | Nora Stelmack (Character) | - | 2007 |
40% |
|
Ghost Writer | Ingrid Sorensen (Character) | - | 2007 |
No Score Yet |
|
Alvin and the Chipmunks | Gail (Character) | - | 2007 |
66% |
|
Smiley Face | Casting Director (Character) | $8.8K | 2007 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever | Unknown (Voice) | - | 2007 |
31% |
|
Eye of the Dolphin | Glinton (Character) | $71.9K | 2006 |
No Score Yet |
|
The List | Dr. Davina (Character) | - | 2006 |
53% |
|
For Your Consideration | Cindy Martin (Character) | $5.5M | 2006 |
No Score Yet |
|
Fifty Pills | Doreen (Character) | - | 2006 |
72% |
|
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | Lucy Bobby (Character) | $148.2M | 2006 |
No Score Yet |
|
Bam Bam and Celeste | Darlene (Character) | - | 2005 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Californians | Sybill Platt (Character) | $4.1K | 2005 |
85% |
|
The 40 Year-Old Virgin | Paula (Character) | $109.2M | 2005 |
14% |
|
Surviving Eden | Maude Silver (Character) | - | 2004 |
15% |
|
Sleepover | Gabby (Character) | $8.1M | 2004 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Exposed | Julie Gross (Character) | - | 2003 |
87% |
|
A Mighty Wind | Laurie Bohner (Character) | $17.5M | 2003 |
71% | No Score Yet | The Big Time | Miss Rush (Character) | - | 2002 |
93% |
|
Best in Show | Christy Cummings (Character) | $18.6M | 2000 |
TV
Credit | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
96% | 89% | Only Murders in the Building |
Sazz Pataki (Character), Unknown (Guest Star) |
2023-2024 |
No Score Yet | 11% | Velma | Donna (Voice) | 2024 |
No Score Yet | 42% | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Guest | 2011 2013-2014 2024 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Weakest Link |
Executive Producer, Host |
2020-2024 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Talk | Guest | 2014-2020 2024 |
No Score Yet | 90% | American Dad! |
Mother (Guest Voice), Doctor (Voice) |
2007 2023 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Harriet the Spy | Ole Golly (Voice) | 2021-2023 |
No Score Yet | 88% | Bob's Burgers | Carol (Voice) | 2023 |
94% | 91% | Party Down |
Constance Carmell (Character), Unknown (Guest Star) |
2009-2010 2023 |
No Score Yet | 23% | Ridley Jones | Lonny (Voice) | 2021-2023 |
No Score Yet | 54% | The Kelly Clarkson Show |
Music Performer, Guest |
2019-2021 2023 |
No Score Yet | 11% | The View | Guest | 2014-2015 2022 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | El Deafo | Mrs. Sinklemann (Voice) | 2022 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Guest | 2011-2014 2020-2021 |
95% | 65% | The Good Fight | Agent Madeline Starkey (Guest Star) | 2017-2018 2021 |
No Score Yet | 67% | Money Explained | Narrator | 2021 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Finding Your Roots | Guest | 2021 |
No Score Yet | 44% | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Guest | 2021 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen | Guest | 2019-2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Home & Family |
Music Performer, Guest |
2018-2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Meet the Chimps | Narrator | 2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Rachael Ray | Guest | 2015-2016 2020 |
No Score Yet | 28% | The Drew Barrymore Show | Guest | 2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Conan | Guest | 2011 2013 2015-2017 2019-2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Hollywood Game Night | Host | 2013-2020 |
No Score Yet | 83% | Criminal Minds | Diana Reid (Guest Star) | 2006-2008 2017 2020 |
90% | 84% | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Sophie Lennon (Character) | 2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Inside the Actors Studio |
Guest, Host |
2012 2019 |
No Score Yet | 67% | Big Hero 6 The Series | Supersonic Sue (Guest Voice) | 2019 |
85% | 76% | The Simpsons | Jeanie (Guest Voice) | 2011 2018 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Wendy Williams Show | Guest | 2011 2018 |
74% | 74% | Will & Grace | Roberta (Guest Star) | 2017 |
96% | 82% | Manhunt | Janet Reno (Character) | 2017 |
No Score Yet | 55% | Late Night With Seth Meyers | Guest | 2015 2017 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Price Is Right | Guest | 2017 |
70% | 46% | Quantico | Director | 2016 |
67% | 88% | The Real O'Neals | Herself (Guest Star) | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Tavis Smiley | Guest | 2016 |
41% | 58% | Angel From Hell | Amy (Character) | 2016 |
41% | 61% | Chelsea | Guest | 2016 |
No Score Yet | 18% | The Late Late Show With James Corden | Guest | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | FABLife | Guest | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Chew | Guest | 2016 |
No Score Yet | 48% | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | Guest | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Soup | Unknown (Character) | 2015 |
70% | 72% | Glee | Sue Sylvester (Character) | 2009-2015 |
94% | 81% | Portlandia | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2015 |
No Score Yet | 92% | The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson | Guest | 2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Larry King Now | Guest | 2013-2014 |
65% | 66% | Two and a Half Men | Dr. Linda Freeman (Guest Star) | 2004 2006-2011 2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Murder Police | Justice (Voice) | 2013 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Late Night With Jimmy Fallon | Guest | 2010-2011 2013 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Handy Manny | Jackie Greenway (Guest Voice) | 2007-2009 2012 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Comedy Central Roast | Host | 2012 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Nate Berkus Show | Guest | 2011-2012 |
54% | No Score Yet | Emmys | Host | 2011 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Real Time With Bill Maher | Guest | 2011 |
No Score Yet | 64% | The Cleveland Show | Ms. Eck (Guest Voice) | 2010-2011 |
No Score Yet | 57% | Saturday Night Live | Host | 2010 |
No Score Yet | 80% | iCarly | Pam Puckett (Guest Star) | 2010 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Bonnie Hunt Show | Guest | 2009 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Lopez Tonight | Guest | 2009 |
86% | 84% | RENO 911! | Therapist (Guest Star) | 2009 |
86% | 90% | Boston Legal | Joanna Monroe (Guest Star) | 2006-2008 |
82% | 88% | My Name Is Earl | Sissy (Guest Star) | 2008 |
89% | 77% | The New Adventures of Old Christine | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2007 |
50% | No Score Yet | Help Me Help You | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2006 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Lovespring International | Victoria Ratchford (Character) | 2006 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Night Stalker | Dr. Dominic Messinger (Guest Star) | 2006 |
72% | 89% | Desperate Housewives | Maxine Bennett (Guest Star) | 2006 |
70% | 80% | Weeds | The Candyman (Guest Star) | 2005 |
20% | No Score Yet | Rodney | Amy O'Brien (Guest Star) | 2005 |
39% | No Score Yet | Blind Justice | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2005 |
57% | 77% | The L Word | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2005 |
No Score Yet | 80% | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2005 |
92% | 80% | Veronica Mars | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2004 |
78% | 93% | Friends | Ellen (Guest Star) | 2004 |
75% | 85% | Arrested Development | Cindi Lightballoon (Guest Star) | 2004 |
89% | 88% | Monk | Dr. Julie Waterford (Guest Star) | 2004 |
83% | 95% | NYPD Blue | Susanna Howe (Guest Star) | 2004 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | According to Jim | Janice (Guest Star) | 2003 |
32% | No Score Yet | Watching Ellie | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2003 |
25% | No Score Yet | MDs | Unknown (Character) | 2002 |
No Score Yet | 71% | Felicity | Professor Carnes (Guest Star) | 2002 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | 7th Heaven | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2002 |
No Score Yet | 64% | Family Guy | French Teacher (Guest Voice) | 2001-2002 |
No Score Yet | 80% | The King of Queens | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2001 |
74% | 86% | The X-Files | Mrs. Anne T. Lokensgard (Guest Star) | 2001 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Family Law | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2001 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Boston Public | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2001 |
No Score Yet | 88% | Gilmore Girls | Nurse (Guest Star) | 2000 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Judging Amy | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1999-2000 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | JAG | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2000 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dharma & Greg | Sheryl (Guest Star) | 1999 |
95% | 95% | Frasier | Cynthia (Guest Star) | 1996 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Cybill | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1996 |
95% | 79% | NewsRadio | Carol (Guest Star) | 1995 |
No Score Yet | 97% | Married ... With Children | Greta (Guest Star) | 1994 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The At-Home Variety Show Featuring Seth MacFarlane | Guest |