Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Jane Lynch Biography

Birth Name:Jane Marie Lynch

Birth Place:Dolton, Illinois, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Made her Broadway debut in 2013 as Miss Hannigan in "Annie․"
Was honored with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award in 2010
Received the Chicago Comedy Film Festival Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Award in 2016
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in theater from Illinois State University, where she received an honorary doctorate degree in 2017
Earned her master's degree in fine arts from Cornell University in 1984
Deaf in one of her ears since childhood
Started out acting with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Second City improvisation troupe
Often portrays snarky characters
Was the voice of CNN International during the 1990s

Awards

2004FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2004Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2004PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
2006Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2008Jury Award-Best Actress Comedy: winner
2009Ashland Independent Film Award-Best Acting Ensemble: Feature: winner
2009INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2009Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
2010Dorian Award-TV Musical or Comedy Performance of the Year: winner
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: winner
2010Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2010INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2010Teen Choice Award-Most Fanatic Fans: nominated
2010Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Villain: nominated
2010TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: winner
2010WIN Award-Actress Comedy Series: nominated
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Dorian Award-TV Comedy Performance of the Year: winner
2011Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2011Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Comedy Series: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Villain: nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
2013BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: winner
2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
2013BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Panelist in a Non-Fiction Program: winner
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: winner
2014Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Villain: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Panelist in a Non-Fiction Program: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: winner
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Reality Show Host: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series: winner
2018Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2018Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress of the Decade: winner
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host of the Decade: nominated
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner
2021Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host: nominated
2022Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: winner
2022OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023WIN Award-Actress Comedy Series: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Game Show: nominated