Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is a prolific American actress, comedian, singer, and writer.

Biography

Lynch was born and raised in Dolton, Illinois, the daughter of a housewife mother and a banker father. She was raised in an Irish Catholic family 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 theater.

Lynch is openly gay and was engaged to be married to her partner Dr. Lara Embry in May 2010. They have since seperated. Embry herself received much publicity surrounding a custody battle over two children with her former partner, which she won.

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 in director Christopher Guest's 2000 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 seasoned television performer. She starred in 2002's MDs, and has made guest appearances in numerous television series, including Judging Amy, The West Wing, 7th Heaven, Felicity, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, Glee, Boston Legal, The L Word, Criminal Minds, Help Me Help You, Gilmore Girls and The New Adventures of Old Christine, among others.

Criminal Minds

She portrays Diana Reid, Dr. Spencer Reid's mother, and has made appearances so far in the Season One episode The Fisher King, Part 1, the Season Two episodes The Fisher King, Part 2 and Revelations, and the Season Four episodes The Instincts and Memoriam. She reprised the role in the Season Twelve episodes Surface Tension, Unforgettable, and Red Light.

Filmography

Criminal Minds - 8 episodes (2006-2017) TV episodes - Diana Reid
The Good Fight - Sweeney Agonistes (2017) TV episode - Madeline Starkey
The Real O'Neals - The Real Thang (2016) TV episode (unaccredited) - Herself
The Late Bloomer (2016) - Caroline Chambers
Tween Fest - 3 episodes (2016) TV episodes - Sophia Sharp
Mascots (2016) - Gabby Monkhouse
The Stinky & Dirty Show - 3 episodes (2016) TV episodes (voice) - Dumper
Angel from Hell - 13 episodes (2016) TV episodes - Amy
After the Reality (2016) - Doctor
The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show - Show on the Road/Catherine the Great (2016) TV episode (voice) - Bernadette Steele
Dropping the Soap - 8 episodes (2015) TV episodes - Olivia Vanderstein
Back to the Jurassic (2015) (voice) - Sue
Glee - 121 episodes (2009-2015) TV episodes - Sue Sylvester
Paul (2010) - Pat Stevenson
Shrek Forever After (2010) - Gretchen
90210 - Girl Fight! (2010) TV episode - Laurel Sullivan
The Cleveland Show - Love Rollercoaster (2010) TV episode (voice) - Ms. Eck
Two and a Half Men - 11 episodes (2004-2009) TV episodes - Dr. Linda Freeman
Post Grad (2009) - Carmella Malby
Julie & Julia (2009) - Dorothy McWilliams
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) (voice) - Diatryma Mom
Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (2009) (VG) (voice)
Mr. Troop Mom (2009) - Ms.Hulka
Party Down - 9 episodes (2009) TV episodes - Constance Carmell
Handy Manny - Jackie's Old Shed (2009) TV episode (voice) - Jackie Greenway
The Spectacular Spider-Man - Gangland (2009) TV episode (voice) - Joan Jameson
The L Word - 15 episodes (2005-2009) TV episodes - Joyce Wischnia
Weather Girl (2009) - J.D.
Spring Breakdown (2009) - Senator 'Kay Bee' Hartmann
Big Breaks (2009) - M.J.
Role Models (2008) - Gayle Sweeny
Boston Legal - 4 episodes (2006-2008) TV episodes - Joanna Monroe
Alex's Halloween (2008) - Mother
Another Cinderella Story (2008) - Dominique Blatt
Psych - There Might Be Blood (2008) TV episode - Commander Barbara Dunlap
Space Chimps (2008) (voice) - Dr. Poole
The Rocker (2008) - Lisa
Man Maid (2008) - Sabena
My Name Is Earl - I Won't Die with a Little Help from My Friends: Part 1 (2008) TV episode - Sissy
The Toe Tactic (2008) - Honey Strumpet
Tru Loved (2008) - Ms. Maple
Adventures of Power (2008) - Joni
Never Better (2008) - Linda
Web Therapy - Psycho Analysis: Part 1, Psycho Analysis: Part 2 and Psycho Analysis: Part 3 (2008) TV episodes - Claire Dudek
The Adventures of Captain Cross Dresser (2008) (voice)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) - Gail the Television Reporter
American Dad! - 4 episodes (2007) TV episodes (voice) - Al
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) - Gail
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever (2007) (voice) - Joan Hobbie / Minnie
Love Is Love (2007) - Reverend Greeley
The List (2007) - Dr. Davina
The New Adventures of Old Christine - Friends and The Real Thing (2007) TV episodes - Ms. Hammond
The Hammer (2007) (unaccredited) - Woman Who Argues With Jerry
Suffering Man's Charity (2007) - Ingrid Sorensen
Smiley Face (2007) - Casting Director
Campus Ladies - *Psych 101 (2007) TV episode - Professor
Help Me Help You - 6 episodes (2006-2007) TV episodes - Raquel Janes
Untitled Christine Taylor Project (2007) - Janet
I Do & I Don't (2007) - Nora Stelmack
Area 57 (2007) - Irene Maloof
Eye of the Dolphin (2006) - Glinton
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes (2006) (voice) - Joan Hobbie / Minnie
The Frank Anderson (2006) - Dr. Emily Brice
Lovespring International - 13 episodes (2006) TV episodes - Victoria Ratchford
For Your Consideration (2006) - Cindy
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) - Lucy Bobby
Fifty Pills (2006) - Doreen
Night Stalker - Into Night (2006) TV episode (unaccredited) - Scientist
Rodney - Rodney Moonlights (2005) and Rodney Gets a Leg Up (2006) (unaccredited) - TV episodes - Amy O'Brien
Desperate Housewives - Silly People (2006) TV episode - Maxine Bennett
Separated at Worth (2006) - Jennifer
The Californians (2005) - Sybill Platt
Illeanarama (2005) TV series - Ann (unknown episodes)
Bam Bam and Celeste (2005) - Darlene
Weeds - Fashion of the Christ (2005) TV episode - The Candyman
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) - Paula
The Life and Times of Juniper Lee - Magic Takes a Holiday (2005) TV episode (voice) - Madame Rothchild
Blind Justice - Rub a Tub Tub and Four Feet Under (2005) TV episodes - Dr. Taylor
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Unbearable (2005) TV episode - Ranger
Unscripted - *Episode #1.6 and Episode #1.7 (2005) TV episodes - Jane
Promtroversy (2005) - Mimi Nimby (Concerned Parent)
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party (2005) - Joan Hobbie / Minnie
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) (unaccredited) - Realtor
Veronica Mars - Return of the Kane (2004) TV episode - Mrs. Donaldson
Memoirs of an Evil Stepmother (2004) - Blanche Monroe
How to Be a Hollywood Player in Less Than Ten Minutes (2004) - Hollywood Mogul
Sleepover (2004) - Gabby
Friends - The One Where Estelle Dies (2004) TV episode - Ellen
Surviving Eden (2004) - Maude Silver
Arrested Development - Altar Egos and Shock and Aww (2004) TV episodes - Cindi Lightballoon
Las Vegas - You Can't Take It with You (2004) TV episode - Helen Putasca
Monk - Mr. Monk Gets Married (2004) TV episode - Dr. Julie Waterford
NYPD Blue - You Da Bomb (2004) TV episode - Susanna Howe
Little Black Boot (2004) - Grace
According to Jim - The Lemonade Stand (2003) TV episode - Janice
Exposed (2003/I) - Julie Gross
Spider-Man - Heroes and Villains (2003) TV episode (voice) - Oscorp Executive
The Dead Zone - The Storm (2003) TV episode - Flo McMurtry
Watching Ellie - TV (2003) TV episode - Roman
A Mighty Wind (2003) - Laurie Bohner
MDs - 10 episodes (2002) TV episodes - Aileen Poole, RN, Ph.D
The Big Time (2002) - Miss Rush
7th Heaven - 4 episodes (2001-2002) TV episodes - Nurse
Felicity - Ben Don't Leave and The Paper Chase (2002) TV episodes - Professor Carnes
Family Guy - 4 episodes (2001-2002) TV episodes (voice) - Dotty Campbell
Collateral Damage (2002) - Agent Russo
Titus - The Trial (2002) TV episode - Prosecutor
Hiding in Walls (2002) - Diane Moffet
The King of Queens - Ovary Action (2001) TV episode - Dr. Foreman
The X Files - Lord of the Flies (2001) TV episode - Mrs. Anne T. Lokensgard
Family Law - No Options (2001) TV episode - Cheryl Bowman
Boston Public - Chapter Twenty-Four (2001) TV episode - Jane Morrell
Arli$$ - Giving Something Back (2001) TV episode
The Division - The First Hit's Free, Baby (2001) TV episode
Martini (2001) - Dr. Jane
Nice Guys Finish Last (2001) - Mom
The West Wing - In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part 1 (2000) and Two Cathedrals (2001) TV episodes - Reporter
Popular - I Know What You Did Last Spring Break (2001) TV episode - Susie Klein
Cursed - ...And Then Jack Had Two Dates (2001) TV episode - Carla
Dawson's Creek - The Te of Pacey (2001) TV episode - Mrs. Witter
Gilmore Girls - Forgiveness and Stuff (2000) TV episode - Nurse
Judging Amy - Pilot (1999), Drawing the Line and Waterworld (2000) TV episodes - ASA Perkins
Best in Show (2000) - Christy Cummings
Color Me Gay (2000) - Executive
JAG - The Witches of Gulfport (2000) TV episode
Red Lipstick (2000) - Final TV Newscaster
What Planet Are You From? (2000) - Doreen
Dharma & Greg - Play Lady Play (1999) TV episode - Sheryl
Caroline in the City - Caroline and the First Date (1998) TV episode - Hostess
Touch Me (1997) - Counselor
Frasier - A Lilith Thanksgiving (1996) TV episode - Cynthia
3rd Rock from the Sun - Dick, Smoker (1996) TV episode - Mrs. Koppel
Cybill - Educating Zoey (1996) TV episode - Mrs. Sweeney
NewsRadio - The Cane (1995) TV episode - Carol
In the House - Female Trouble (1995) TV episode - Ruth
The John Larroquette Show - The Tutor (1994) TV episode - Evaluator
Party of Five - Much Ado (1994) TV episode - Dr. Pennant
Married with Children - Valentine's Day Massacre (1994) TV episode - Greta
Empty Nest - The Girl Who Cried Baby (1993) TV episode - Tammy
Bakersfield P.D. - Bakersfield Madam (1993) TV episode - Michelle Hathaway
Fatal Instinct (1993) - Prison Reporter
The Fugitive (1993) - Doctor Kathy Wahlund
Straight Talk (1992) - Gladys
In the Best Interest of the Children (1992) - Gwen Hatcher
Vice Versa (1988) - Ms. Lindstrom
Taxi Killer (1988)

SOUNDTRACK

Another Cinderella Story (2008) (performer: Hold 4 You, Baby Got Bacne)
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes (2006) (performer: Jingle Bells, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, There's No Room At The Inn, It's Christmas Time Again)

LINKS

For up-to-date Filmography: imdb.com/Jane Lynch