Melanie Lynskey
Actress
Birth Name: Melanie Jayne Lynskey
Birth Date: May 16, 1977
Age: 47 years old
Birth Place: New Plymouth, New Zealand
Spouses: Jason Ritter, Jimmi Simpson
Born and raised in New Plymouth, New Zealand, 16 year-old Melanie Lynskey was discovered when she was chosen by Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson to star in their film "Heavenly Creatures" (1994).
Directed by Jackson, the film told the story of the notorious Parker-Hulme murder case, in which two teenage girls murdered the mother of one of them. Lynskey and Kate Winslet were roundly praised for their roles and Jackson and Walsh earned an Academy Award nomination for best screenplay.
Lynskey won Best Actress for the role in her native New Zealand. Her first role behind her, Lynskey finished school and played a supporting role in Jackson's next film, "The Frighteners" (1996).
She played both supporting roles in larger budget studio films like "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" (1998) starring Drew Barrymore, as well as meatier roles in independent features like "But I'm A Cheerleader" (1999).
In 2003, Lynskey landed a regular guest starring role on the sitcom "Two and a Half Men" (CBS, 2003-2015), and continued to make appearances on the show over the course of its 12 seasons.
The consistent work allowed Lynskey to continue her unusual career path, contributing critically acclaimed performances to smaller films like "Shattered Glass" (2003), "The Informant!" (2009), and "Win Win" (2011).
In 2015, Lynskey debuted in one of the lead roles on "Togetherness" (HBO, 2015-16), again earning rave reviews. In 2018, Lynskey played one of the leads on the show "Castle Rock" (Hulu, 2018-), a series based on the stories of Stephen King.
Credits
The Tattooist of AuschwitzStream
Actor
Heather Morris
Series
2024
The Tattooist of AuschwitzStream
Self
Series
2024
Griffin in Summer
Actor
Helen
Movie
2024
The Last of UsStream
Guest Star
Kathleen
Series
2023
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Guest
Talk
2022
If We're Being Honest with Laverne CoxStream
Guest
Talk
2022
Greek Cinema
Actor
Dunyasha
Show
2022
CandyStream
Actor
Betty Gore
Miniseries
2022
YellowjacketsStream
Actor
Shauna
Series
2021
CBS Mornings
Guest
News
2021
HouseBrokenStream
Guest Star
Pinky
Series
2021
HouseBrokenStream
Guest Voice
Memory Sheep
Series
2021
Lady of the Manor
Actor
Hannah
Movie
2021
Don't Look UpStream
Actor
June Mindy
Movie
2021
The Drew Barrymore ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2020
Mrs. AmericaStream
Actor
Rosemary Thomson
Series
2020
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Guest
Talk
2019
Castle RockStream
Actor
Molly Strand
Series
2018
Sadie
Actor
Rae
Movie
2018
Sunshine
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Zara Skelton
Show
2017
Young SheldonStream
Guest Star
Professor Ericson
Series
2017
Live with Kelly and Ryan
Guest
Talk
2017
XX
Actor
Mary (Segment: "The Birthday Party")
Movie
2017
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore
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Ruth Kimke
Movie
2017
1 Mile to You
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Coach Rowan
Movie
2017
And Then I Go
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Janice
Movie
2017
The Changeover
Actor
Kate Chant
Movie
2017
EasyStream
Actor
Beth
Series
2016
Our Ex-Wife
Actor
Sara
Show
2016
The Intervention
Actor
Annie
Movie
2016
Rainbow Time
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Lindsay
Movie
2016
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
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Becky
Movie
2016
The Great & The Small
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Margaret
Movie
2016
Little Boxes
Actor
Gina
Movie
2016
Future-Worm!Stream
Voice
Megan Douglas
Series
2015
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Guest
Talk
2015
TogethernessStream
Actor
Michelle Pierson
Series
2015
Digging for Fire
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Squiggy
Movie
2015
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Guest
Show
2014
Happy Christmas
Actor
Kelly
Show
2014
Over the Garden Wall
Voice
Beatrice
Show
2014
Over the Garden WallStream
Voice
Beatrice
Miniseries
2014
Celebrity Name Game
Contestant
Game Show
2014
Late Night With Seth MeyersStream
Guest
Talk
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream
Guest
Talk
2014
Happy ChristmasStream
Actor
Kelly
Movie
2014
Goodbye to All That
Actor
Annie
Movie
2014
They Came TogetherStream
Actor
Brenda
Movie
2014
Chu and Blossom
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Miss Shoemaker
Movie
2014
We'll Never Have ParisStream
Actor
Devon
Movie
2014
MomStream
Guest Star
Shannon
Series
2013
Teddy Bears
Actor
Hannah
Movie
2013
The Jeff Probst Show
Guest
Talk
2012
Finding Your RootsStream
Guest
Reality
2012
W oku huraganu
Actor
Movie
2012
Seeking a Friend for the End of the WorldStream
Actor
Karen
Movie
2012
Hello I Must Be GoingStream
Actor
Amy
Movie
2012
Eye of the Hurricane
Actor
Amelia Kyte
Movie
2012
The Perks of Being a WallflowerStream
Actor
Aunt Helen
Movie
2012
Putzel
Actor
Sally
Movie
2012
Win Win
Actor
Cindy Timmons
Movie
2011
TouchbackStream
Actor
Macy
Movie
2011
The Talk
Guest
Talk
2010
Helena From the Wedding
Actor
Alice
Movie
2010
The Informant!Stream
Actor
Ginger Whitacre
Movie
2009
Away We GoStream
Actor
Munch
Movie
2009
Up in the AirStream
Actor
Julie Bingham
Movie
2009
Leaves of Grass
Actor
Colleen
Movie
2009
Show of Hands
Actor
Jess
Movie
2008
A Quiet Little Marriage
Actor
Monique
Movie
2008
Comanche MoonStream
Actor
Pearl Coleman
Miniseries
2007
Drive
Actor
Wendy Patrakas
Show
2007
Flags of Our FathersStream
Actor
Pauline Harnois
Movie
2006
Park
Actor
Sheryl
Movie
2006
It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaStream
Guest Star
Kate
Series
2005
American DadStream
Guest Voice
Sharon
Series
2005
Say Uncle
Actor
Susan
Movie
2005
HouseStream
Guest Star
Natalie Tavares
Series
2004
Tavis Smiley
Guest
Talk
2004
Two and a Half MenStream
Actor
Rose
Series
2003
Two and a Half MenStream
Guest Star
Rose
Series
2003
Serial Slayer
Actor
Movie
2003
Shattered GlassStream
Actor
Amy Brand
Movie
2003
The ShieldStream
Guest Star
Marcy
Series
2002
Rose RedStream
Actor
Miniseries
2002
Rose Red
Actor
Rachel Wheaton
Movie
2002
AbandonStream
Actor
Mousy Julie
Movie
2002
Sweet Home AlabamaStream
Actor
Lurlynn
Movie
2002
Shooters
Actor
Marie
Movie
2002
Snakeskin
Actor
Alice
Movie
2001
Coyote UglyStream
Actor
Gloria
Movie
2000
Detroit Rock CityStream
Actor
Beth Bumsteen
Movie
1999
Foreign Correspondents
Actor
Melody
Movie
1999
The Cherry Orchard
Actor
Dunyasha
Movie
1999
Ever After: A Cinderella StoryStream
Actor
Jacqueline De Ghent
Movie
1998
Heavenly Creatures
Actor
Pauline Yvonne (Parker) Rieper
Movie
1994
This Morning
Guest
Show
1988
Today
Guest
News
1952
Photos
News aboutMelanie Lynskey
‘Yellowjackets’ Trailer: Teens Hunt Down Coach Ben, Adults Survivors Hunted by Mystery Threat (VIDEO)
Review
Roush Review: ‘Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Etches a Portrait of Love Amid the Hell of the Holocaust
Barbra Streisand Releasing New Song ‘Love Will Survive’ for ‘Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Series
‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Harrowing Trailer Revealed: Everything We Know
‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ First Look Photos & Premiere Date Unveiled by Peacock
Emmys
2023 Emmy Predictions for Drama Series & Performances: Matt Roush’s Picks
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Jason Ritter’s ‘Yellowjackets’ Cameo Alongside Wife Melanie Lynskey Is Still Coming
Spoiler Alert
The Buzz on ‘Yellowjackets’ Aftershow: Warren Kole on ‘Honorary Yellowjacket’ Jeff (VIDEO)
Exclusive
‘HouseBroken’ First Look: ‘Yellowjackets’ Star Melanie Lynskey Is a Ferret on Steroids (VIDEO)
‘Yellowjackets’: Who’s Alive, Who’s Dead & Who’s Missing in Present Day?
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Critic’s Notebook: Battle of Sunday’s Buzziest Shows (‘Succession,’ ‘Yellowjackets’)
‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Peacock Adaptation Casts Jonah Hauer-King, Melanie Lynskey & More
Preview
The Survival Drama With Bite: ‘Yellowjackets’ Stars Set the Table for Tasty Season 2
Melanie Lynskey Fires Back at Adrianne Curry After ‘Last of Us’ Body Shaming Tweet
Spoiler Alert
‘The Last of Us’: Joel and Ellie’s Road Trip Goes Horribly Wrong (RECAP)
‘Yellowjackets’ Season 2 Trailer Introduces Elijah Wood & Teases Winter in the Wilderness (VIDEO)
‘Yellowjackets’: Jason Ritter to Join Wife Melanie Lynskey in Season 2
26 TV Stars Who Just Got Their First Dorian Award Nominations
‘House’ Ended a Decade Ago: 10 Stars Who Had Guest Turns
Preview
The ‘Candy’ Cast Introduces the Characters at the Center of a Shocking Crime (VIDEO)
‘Candy’: Jessica Biel Is a Housewife Gone Bad in Hulu True Crime Series (VIDEO)
7 ‘Yellowjackets’ Characters to Watch Closely in Season 2
Spoiler Alert
‘Yellowjackets’ Boss on Who Took [Spoiler] & That Sacrifice in the Present-Day Timeline
Spoiler Alert
‘Yellowjackets’ Reveals the Identity of the Blackmailer, Plus Who Dies? (RECAP)
Who Is Adam Really on ‘Yellowjackets’? 5 Theories
Can’t Miss Episode of the Week: ‘Yellowjackets’ Premiere Excellently Builds Dread
Review
Roush Review: ‘Yellowjackets’ Combines Survival Thrills With a Contemporary Mystery
Preview
‘Yellowjackets’ Stars Introduce the Teen & Adult Versions of the Plane Crash Survivors
‘Yellowjackets’ Trailer: What Happens After You Survive a Devastating Plane Crash? (VIDEO)
Spoiler Alert
Chaos Rains Down on ‘Castle Rock’ & More Crazy Finale Moments
Spoiler Alert
‘Castle Rock’s Wicked Woods & More Crazy Moments from ‘Henry Deaver’
Spoiler Alert
Those Cursed Paintings & More ‘Castle Rock’ Moments From ‘Past Perfect’
What Might Fans Expect From ‘Castle Rock’ Season 2?
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