Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch Headshot

Actress • Comedian • Writer • Game Show Host

Birth Date: July 14, 1960

Age: 63 years old

Birth Place: Evergreen Park, Illinois

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.

Credits

Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love

Music Performer
Special
2023

34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Self
Show
2023

VelmaStream

Voice
Donna
Series
2023
39%

The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart

Voice
Bobbi St. Simone
Movie
2023

Her War, Her Story: World War II

Narrator
Show
2022

Access Daily With Mario & Kit

Guest
Show
2022

Above Average PresentsStream

Guest
Series
2022

El DeafoStream

Voice
Mrs. Sinklemann
Series
2022

Ivy + Bean

Actor
Movie
2022

Harriet the SpyStream

Voice
Ole Golly
Series
2021

Ridley Jones

Voice
Lonny
Show
2021

Money Explained

Narrator
Show
2021

Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine

Actor
Show
2020

Meet the ChimpsStream

Narrator
Movie
2020

Weakest LinkStream

Executive Producer
Game Show
2020

Weakest LinkStream

Host
Game Show
2020

The Drew Barrymore ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2020

GMA3: What You Need to Know

Guest
Show
2020

100% Wolf

Actor
The Commander
Show
2020

The At-Home Variety ShowStream

Guest
Series
2020

100% Wolf

Voice
The Commander
Movie
2020

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
2019

Access Daily

Guest
Show
2019

Tamron HallStream

Guest
Talk
2019

Hashtag No Joke

Actor
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

Holiday Classics

Music Performer
Show
2019

UglyDolls

Voice
Scanner/Electronic Female Voice
Movie
2019

#NoJoke

Actor
Movie
2019

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

25 Words or LessStream

Contestant
Game Show
2018

Red Nose Day

Guest
Show
2018

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Voice
Calhoun
Movie
2018

Dropping the Soap

Actor
Olivia Vanderstein
Movie
2018

Dropping the Soap

Executive Producer
Movie
2018

Access Live

Guest
Show
2017

The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special

Guest
Show
2017

Big Hero 6: The SeriesStream

Guest Voice
Supersonic Sue
Series
2017

Jim Brickman: A Joyful Christmas

Music Performer
Show
2017

Will & GraceStream

Guest Star
Roberta
Series
2017
74%

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

Manhunt: UnabomberStream

Actor
Janet Reno
Series
2017

Earth Live

Host
Special
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

The Marvelous Mrs. MaiselStream

Actor
Sophie Lennon
Series
2017
90%

Dropping the Soap

Actor
Olivia Vanderstein
Show
2017

The Good FightStream

Guest Star
Agent Madeline Starkey
Series
2017
95%

A Stork's Journey

Voice
Olga
Movie
2017

Earth Live

Actor
Movie
2017

Surprise! Instant Xmas Carol!

Actor
Show
2016

Top 10 Gifts

Guest
Show
2016

Style-City Music Presents

Music Performer
Show
2016

Today's Take

Guest
Show
2016

Red Nose Day

Guest
Show
2016

ChelseaStream

Guest
Talk
2016
41%

The Loud HouseStream

Guest Voice
Series
2016

The Real O'NealsStream

Guest Star
Herself
Series
2016
67%

Angel From HellStream

Actor
Amy
Series
2016
41%

People's Choice Awards 2016

Host
Show
2016

Just for Laughs Presents Jane Lynch

Actor
Show
2016

MascotsStream

Actor
Gabby Monkhouse
Movie
2016
48%

The Late Bloomer

Actor
Caroline
Movie
2016

After the Reality

Actor
Doctor
Movie
2016

QuanticoStream

Director
Series
2015
70%

FABLife

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

CBS Fall Preview Show

Host
Show
2015

Angel From Hell: Extras

Actor
Show
2015

The Kate

Music Performer
Show
2015

The Monday Night Show With Adam Freeman

Guest
Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show

Guest
Show
2015

Fox's Cause for Paws: An All-Star Dog Spectacular

Host
Show
2014

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Show
2014

Hollywood Today Live

Guest
Show
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Adventure Planet

Actor
Movie
2014

To Russia With Love

Voice
Herself - Narrator
Movie
2014

NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly

Host
Show
2013

NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly

Host
Show
2013

A Toast to 2013!

Guest
Show
2013

The National Christmas Tree Lighting 2013

Host
Show
2013

The Social

Guest
Show
2013

Murder Police

Voice
Justice
Show
2013

Glee: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

Röjar-Ralf - Förhandstitt

Actor
Show
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Hollywood Game Night

Host
Game Show
2013

Shelter Me: Let's Go Home

Host
Show
2013

omg! Insider

Guest
Show
2013

Afternoon Delight

Actor
Lenore
Movie
2013

Jungle Master

Voice
Ilene
Movie
2013

Escape From Planet Earth

Voice
Io
Movie
2013

A.C.O.D.

Actor
Dr. Judith
Movie
2013

Home & Family

Guest
Talk
2012

Home & Family

Music Performer
Talk
2012

Roast of Rosanne Barr

Host
Show
2012

Katie

Guest
Talk
2012

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Host
Talk
2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

Guest
Show
2012

Larry King NowStream

Guest
Talk
2012

KathyStream

Guest
Talk
2012

Behind the Seams

Host
Show
2012

Finding Your RootsStream

Guest
Reality
2012

WordGirl: The Rise of Miss Power

Guest Voice
Show
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2

Voice
Neptuna
Movie
2012

The Three Stooges

Actor
Mother Superior
Movie
2012

Wreck-It RalphStream

Voice
Sgt. Calhoun
Movie
2012
87%

Dino Time

Voice
Sue
Movie
2012

Delhi Safari

Voice
Female Flamingo
Movie
2012

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

Anderson Cooper Special Report-Bullying: It Stops Here

Guest
Show
2011

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

63rd Primetime Emmy Awards

Host
Show
2011

The 2011 VH1 Do Something Awards

Host
Show
2011

Big Morning Buzz Live

Guest
Show
2011

PortlandiaStream

Guest Star
Series
2011
94%

The Marilyn Denis Show

Guest
Show
2011

Paul

Actor
Pat Lynch
Movie
2011

Rio

Voice
Alice
Movie
2011

TV's Funniest Holiday Moments: A Paley Center for Media Special

Host
Show
2010

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

The Nate Berkus Show

Guest
Show
2010

The 2010 VH1 Do Something Awards

Host
Show
2010

Stars in Shorts

Actor
Show
2010

Birds of Paradise

Voice
Rosie
Movie
2010

Shrek Forever AfterStream

Voice
Gretched
Movie
2010
57%

Lopez Tonight

Guest
Show
2009

The Joy Behar Show

Guest
Show
2009

The Cleveland ShowStream

Guest Star
Ms. Eck
Series
2009

The Cleveland ShowStream

Guest Voice
Sue Sylvester
Series
2009

ES.TV

Guest
Show
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Show
2009

GleeStream

Actor
Sue Sylvester
Series
2009
70%

Party DownStream

Actor
Constance Carmell
Series
2009
94%

Party DownStream

Guest Star
Constance Carmell
Series
2009
94%

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Show
2009

Spring Breakdown

Actor
Sen. Hartman
Movie
2009

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Voice
Diatryma Mom
Movie
2009

Julie & JuliaStream

Actor
Dorothy McWilliams
Movie
2009
78%

Post GradStream

Actor
Mrs. Malby
Movie
2009
8%

Mr. Troop Mom

Actor
Miss Hulka
Movie
2009

Weather Girl

Actor
J.D.
Movie
2009

The Bonnie Hunt Show

Guest
Show
2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

HSN Today

Guest
Show
2008

Alex's Halloween

Actor
Show
2008

The Rocker

Actor
Fish's Sister
Movie
2008

Space Chimps

Voice
Dr. Poole
Movie
2008

The Toe Tactic

Actor
Honey Strumpet
Movie
2008

Role Models

Actor
Sweeny
Movie
2008

Adventures of Power

Actor
Joni
Movie
2008

Another Cinderella StoryStream

Actor
Dominique
Movie
2008

Sunshine Barry & the Disco Worms

Voice
Movie
2008

Man Maid

Actor
Sabena
Movie
2008

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

iCarlyStream

Guest Star
Pam Puckett
Series
2007

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Show
2007

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

Smiley Face

Actor
Casting Director
Movie
2007

Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever

Voice
Movie
2007

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Actor
Gail
Movie
2007

I Do & I Don't

Actor
Nora Stelmack
Movie
2007

Ghost Writer

Actor
Ingrid Sorensen
Movie
2007

Help Me Help You

Guest Star
Show
2006

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Handy Manny

Guest Voice
Jackie Greenway
Show
2006

Lovespring International

Actor
Victoria Ratchford
Show
2006

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

The New Adventures of Old ChristineStream

Guest Star
Series
2006

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky BobbyStream

Actor
Lucy Bobby
Movie
2006
71%

For Your Consideration

Actor
Cindy Martin
Movie
2006

The List

Actor
Dr. Davina
Movie
2006

Eye of the Dolphin

Actor
Glinton
Movie
2006

Fifty Pills

Actor
Doreen
Movie
2006

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Show
2005

Night StalkerStream

Guest Star
Dr. Dominic Messinger
Series
2005

Criminal Minds: EvolutionStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

My Name Is EarlStream

Guest Star
Sissy
Series
2005
82%

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
Show
2005

WeedsStream

Guest Star
The Candyman
Series
2005
70%

Blind Justice

Guest Star
Show
2005

American DadStream

Guest Voice
Doctor
Series
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Show
2005

Bam Bam and Celeste

Actor
Darlene
Movie
2005

The 40-Year-Old VirginStream

Actor
Paula
Movie
2005
85%

The Californians

Actor
Sybill Platt
Movie
2005

Desperate HousewivesStream

Guest Star
Maxine Bennett
Series
2004
72%

Boston LegalStream

Guest Star
Series
2004
86%

Veronica MarsStream

Guest Star
Series
2004
91%

RodneyStream

Guest Star
Amy O'Brien
Series
2004
20%

The Soup

Actor
Talk
2004

The L WordStream

Guest Star
Series
2004
57%

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Surviving Eden

Actor
Maude Silver
Movie
2004

Sleepover

Actor
Gabby
Movie
2004

Arrested DevelopmentStream

Guest Star
Cindi Lightballoon
Series
2003
75%

Two and a Half MenStream

Guest Star
Dr. Linda Freeman
Series
2003
65%

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Comedy Central RoastStream

Host
Series
2003

RENO 911!Stream

Guest Star
Series
2003

Real Time With Bill MaherStream

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

A Mighty Wind

Actor
Laurie Bohner
Movie
2003

Exposed

Actor
Julie Gross
Movie
2003

MDs

Actor
Show
2002

MonkStream

Guest Star
Dr. Julie Waterford
Series
2002
91%

Watching Ellie

Guest Star
Show
2002

The Big Time

Actor
Miss Rush
Movie
2002

According to JimStream

Guest Star
Series
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

Boston Public

Guest Star
Series
2000

CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationStream

Guest Star
Series
2000

Gilmore GirlsStream

Guest Star
Nurse
Series
2000
86%

Best in ShowStream

Actor
Christy Cummings
Movie
2000
93%

Family Law

Guest Star
Series
1999

Judging Amy

Guest Star
Series
1999

Family Guy

Guest Voice
French Teacher
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Dotty Campbell / English Mother at airport
Series
1999

FelicityStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

The King of QueensStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

Kickin' It: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1998

Dharma & GregStream

Guest Star
Series
1997

The ViewStream

Guest
Talk
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

7th HeavenStream

Guest Star
Series
1996

JAGStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

NewsRadioStream

Guest Star
Carol
Series
1995
95%

CybillStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

FriendsStream

Guest Star
Ellen
Series
1994
79%

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Inside the Actors Studio

Guest
Talk
1994

Inside the Actors Studio

Host
Talk
1994

NYPD BlueStream

Guest Star
Susanna Howe
Series
1993
83%

FrasierStream

Guest Star
Cynthia
Series
1993
95%

The X-FilesStream

Guest Star
Mrs. Anne T. Lokensgard
Series
1993
74%

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
Roz Davis
Series
1989
85%

Married ... With ChildrenStream

Guest Star
Greta
Series
1987

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Guest
Talk
1986

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
News
1979

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

The Price Is RightStream

Guest
Game Show
1972

TodayStream

Guest
News
1952

News about
Jane Lynch

Ben Stiller voices Prometheus in 'Krapopolis'

‘Krapopolis’ Recruits Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon & More — Watch Sneak Peek (VIDEO)

Only Murders in the Building- Jane Lynch, Tina Fey, Sting

Star Power on ‘Only Murders in the Building’: Ranking Guest Characters So Far

Weakest Link - The Miz and Kofi Kingston
Exclusive

See WWE Stars The Miz & Kofi Kingston Smack Talk in New ‘Weakest Link’ (VIDEO)

who-should-host-wheel-of-fortune-vanna-white-ryan-seacrest

Who Should Host ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Next? (POLL)

The Price Is Right

Your Definitive How-To Guide on Becoming a Game Show Contestant

Best TV Coaches ranking. Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor, Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester, Damon Wayans Jr. as Coach, Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: TV’s 9 Best Coaches, Ranked

The cast of 'Party Down' Season 2
Spoiler Alert

‘Party Down’: What Happened to the Catering Team Between Seasons 2 & 3?

Who Is the Best Game Show Host Currently on TV? (POLL)

Martin Starr, Megan Mullally, Ryan Hansen, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, and Adam Scott in 'Party Down' Season 3

‘Party Down’ Trailer: The Team Reunites for More Star-Studded Bashes (VIDEO)

'Party Down' Season 3

‘Party Down’ Unveils First Look at Jennifer Garner & More in Season 3 (PHOTOS)

'Party Down' Season 3 Cast

‘Party Down’ Sets Return Date as Starz Unveils First Teaser (VIDEO)

Evan Peters in 'Dahmer,' Jessica Lange in 'American Horror Story: Asylum,' and Dominique Jackson in 'Pose'

Ryan Murphy’s 14 Biggest Shows, Ranked

Velma voice cast, Sam Richardson, Constance Wu, Glenn Howerton

‘Velma’: Sam Richardson, Constance Wu & More Join Voice Cast

Weakest Link key art featuring host Jane Lynch

‘Weakest Link’ Renewed for Longer Season 3 at NBC

Glee cast - Jenna Ushkowitz, Dianna Agron, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Mark Salling, C

‘Glee’ to Return to Streaming on Disney+ & Hulu This Summer

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 premiere

Can’t Miss Episode of the Week: ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Season 4 Premiere

Party Down Tyrel Jackson Williams, Jennifer Garner, James Marsden, and Zoë Chao

‘Party Down’: Jennifer Garner & More Stars Join the Starz Revival Series

Ken Marino, Adam Scott in Party Down

The ‘Party Down’ Revival Is Officially Happening at Starz — Who’s Returning?

Bob Newhart and Peter Scolari on Newhart

Peter Scolari Remembered: Bob Newhart, Lena Dunham & More Pay Tribute

'Only Murders in the Building,' Amy Ryan as Jan

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Theory: Did Jan Kill Tim Kono?

Harriet the Spy Trailer

‘Harriet the Spy’: Apple TV+ Releases Trailer For Beanie Feldstein & Jane Lynch Animated Series (VIDEO)

Glee - Amber Riley, Matthew Morrison, Naya Rivera

‘Glee’ Cast to Reunite in Honor of Naya Rivera at the GLAAD Media Awards

Meet the Chimps Disney+
Exclusive

Sneak Peek at ‘Meet the Chimps,’ the Heartwarming Series You Need Right Now (VIDEO)

Weakest Link Season 1 Jane Lynch
Q&A

Jane Lynch Talks Raising the Stakes With the ‘Weakest Link’ Revival

Michelle Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy

‘Harriet the Spy’ Animated Series With Beanie Feldstein Set at Apple TV+

Jane Lynch - Hollywood Game Night - Season 6

‘Weakest Link’ Returning to NBC With Jane Lynch as Host

Hollywood Game Night
Exclusive

‘Hollywood Game Night’: Nick Jonas, Kristen Bell & Kenan Thompson Play ‘I Love A Charade’ (VIDEO)

nickelodeon exclusive jane tim
Exclusive

First Look at Jane Lynch & Tim Gunn’s ‘Middle School Moguls’ Characters (PHOTOS)

Kelsey Grammer Interviews James Burrows for Ovations INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO
Exclusive

First Look at ‘Inside the Actors Studio’s Return on Ovation (VIDEO)

Alec Baldwin Jane Lynch

‘Inside the Actors Studio’ to Return With Alec Baldwin, Jane Lynch as Rotating Hosts

red-nose-day-collage
Exclusive

NBC’s ‘Red Nose Day’: Which Stars Will Be There & How to Watch (PHOTOS)

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Exclusive

Are the Feisty Lawyers of ‘The Good Fight’ Taking on the White House? (VIDEO)

Manhunt: Unabomber - Paul Bettany

Hide and Seek: Discovery’s ‘Manhunt: Unabomber’ Takes on Ted Kaczynski

Hollywood Game Night - Jane Lynch
Exclusive

‘Hollywood Game Night’: It’s Ne-Yo vs. Nick Lachey in a ‘Game of Thrones’ Battle

Phil Keoghan and Jane Lynch attend the Summer Cocktail party celebrating National Geographic's Earth Live

Nat Geo Takes ‘Earth Live’ to the Movies (VIDEO)

Paul Bettany as Ted Kaczynski in Manhunt: Unabomber

First Look: The Hunt for Ted Kaczynski Is on in New Trailer for ‘Manhunt: Unabomber’ (VIDEO)

Criminal Minds People Choice Award
Preview

‘Criminal Minds’ Boss on People’s Choice Win and Mr. Scratch Stirring Up Big Trouble

Milo Ventimiglia

NBC’s ‘The More You Know’ Campaign Returns With Milo Ventimiglia and Jane Lynch

The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Breakfast

Jane Lynch to Star as Janet Reno in Unabomber ‘Manifesto’ Series

STK_EP107_SH096

Amazon’s ‘The Stinky & Dirty Show’ Boasts the Voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Lynch and Andy Richter (VIDEO)

The Real O'Neals - Bebe Wood as Shannon, Matt Shively as Jimmy, Noah Galvin as Kenny, Jay R. Ferguson as Pat, and Martha Plimpton as Eileen

‘The Real O’Neals’ Adds Jane Lynch, RuPaul, Lance Bass and Tyler Oakley to Guest List

The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show Jane Lynch

Watch Jane Lynch Get Into Character for ‘The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show’ (VIDEO)

TV Tattle

Jane Lynch Spoofs Steve Harvey’s Miss Universe Flub at People’s Choice Awards

Angel From Hell - Maggie Lawson and Jane Lynch

Unexpected ‘Angel From Hell’: Jane Lynch and Maggie Lawson on Life’s Guardians (VIDEO)

Maggie Lawson and Jane Lynch in Angel from Hell

‘Angel From Hell’: Jane Lynch on Playing a Not-So-Heavenly (and Liqueur-Drinking) Host

Jane Lynch in Hollywood Game Night

It’s a Starry ‘Hollywood Game Night’ for Jane Lynch

Hollywood Game Night - Season 3 - Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Giada De Laurentiis, John Legend

What’s Worth Watching: ‘Hollywood Game Night’, ‘Chrisley Knows Best’, ‘Tyrant’ and more for Tuesday, July 7

TV Tattle

Jane Lynch’s Next TV Role: A Guardian Angel on CBS’ Angel From Hell