Jayma Mays

Before she became a household name, Jayma Mays' biggest screen credit was playing the love interest to Kevin James' slapstick security guard in the comedy "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (2009). While their sweet onscreen chemistry helped make the film a box-office success, it paled in comparison to the buzz that surrounded Mays' most talked-about project, "Glee" (Fox, 2009-15). The musical comedy series follows a ragtag group of glee club members trying to survive high school and navigate amongst the faculty members who either love or loathe them. On the feel-good series, Mays played the school's kindhearted, germaphobic guidance counselor, Emma Pillsbury. As the calm soul at the center of the program's show-stopping musical numbers, John Hughes-esque teen angst, and romantic tension, Mays quickly vaulted from hardworking supporting player to endearing primetime leading lady. During that series' later seasons, Mays also co-starred in Will Arnett sitcom "The Millers" (CBS 2013-15), before co-starring in children's animated series "The Adventures of Puss in Boots" (Netflix 2015- ) and mockumentary comedy "Trial and Error" (NBC 2017- ). On the big screen, she co-starred in Doug Liman's "American Made" (2017), an action comedy starring Tom Cruise based on a real CIA operation of the 1980s.