Jane Kaczmarek
Jane Kaczmarek | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kaczmarek in 2014 | |
| Born | Jane Frances Kaczmarek December 21, 1955 Greendale, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) Yale University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Jane Frances Kaczmarek (/kæzˈmærək/; born December 21, 1955)[1][2][3] is an American actress. Her role as Lois on the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006) earned her three Golden Globe nominations and seven Primetime Emmy nominations. She also appeared as Linda Bauer in Equal Justice (1990–1991), Judge Trudy Kessler in Raising the Bar (2008–2009), Ann in Falling in Love (1984), Emily in The Heavenly Kid (1985), and Gayle in 6 Balloons (2018). She had recurring roles as Holly in Cybill and as Maureen Cutler in Frasier. Kaczmarek was a replacement for the character of Bella in the Broadway production of Neil Simon's Lost In Yonkers.
Early life
[edit]Kaczmarek was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Evelyn (née Gregorska), a teacher, and Edward Kaczmarek, a US Department of Defense worker.[4][5][6] She grew up in Greendale, a village outside Milwaukee, where she was raised a Roman Catholic.[7][8] Kaczmarek is a graduate of Greendale High School.[9]
Career
[edit]Kaczmarek appeared in St. Elsewhere, and sitcoms Frasier and Cybill. She was also a regular on the first eight episodes of the Showtime run of The Paper Chase, as Connie Lehman.
In 1999, Kaczmarek was cast to play Lois in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, which premiered on January 9, 2000.[10] TV Guide dubbed her role in the series as a "true breakout; a female Homer Simpson", and critics hailed her for her comic talents.[11] Later, Kaczmarek would credit the show for bringing out her comedic side, saying, "[Before Malcolm] I couldn't even get auditions for comedies. I played very unfunny people."[12]
In September 2008, she appeared on stage in The House of Blue Leaves at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.[13]
In 2011, it was confirmed that Kaczmarek would make a vocal appearance as Red Jessica in the television series Jake and the Never Land Pirates during its second season early 2012.[14]
Kaczmarek was the narrator in the 2011 Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and PBS production of Wisconsin's Nazi Resistance: The Mildred Fish-Harnack Story, a documentary about the life of fellow Milwaukee native Mildred Fish-Harnack who, in 1943, was the only American woman to ever be personally sentenced to death by order of Adolf Hitler for her role in the German Nazi Resistance Movement.[15]
In November 2012, she made a guest appearance on ABC's The Middle as Frankie Heck's (Patricia Heaton) dental teacher. In 2013, Kaczmarek guest starred on NBC's long-running legal drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as Suffolk County D.A. Pamela "Pam" James.[16]
Kaczmarek and former Malcolm in the Middle co-star Bryan Cranston reprised their roles as Lois and Hal respectively in an "alternate ending" featurette on the Breaking Bad DVD/Blu-ray box set that was released on November 26, 2013. In it, Hal wakes up from the nightmare that was the plot of Breaking Bad, in a nod to the final scene from Newhart.[17]
Personal life
[edit]Kaczmarek married fellow Wisconsin native and actor Bradley Whitford on August 15, 1992. They resided in Pasadena, California with their three children.[18] Inspired by their own frequent red carpet appearances, in 2002 the couple founded the charity "Clothes off our Back", which auctioned outfits and accessories worn by celebrities at award ceremonies.[19] They were sometimes referred to as a celebrity "power couple".[20]
Kaczmarek underwent a hip replacement in April 2004, due to chronic arthritis.[21] She used an X-ray of her new hip for her Emmy campaign the following summer, advertising herself as "the only Emmy nominee with an artificial hip (except for Anthony LaPaglia)".[22]
In June 2009, the couple filed for divorce after almost 17 years of marriage.[23][24][25][26] The divorce was finalized in October 2010[27][28] and they sold their 1924 villa in San Marino, California.[29]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Uncommon Valor | Mrs. Wilkes |
| 1984 | Falling in Love | Ann Raftis |
| 1985 | The Heavenly Kid | Emily Barnes |
| Door to Door | Katherine Holloway | |
| 1988 | D.O.A. | Gail Cornell |
| Vice Versa | Robyn Seymour | |
| 1989 | All's Fair | Linda |
| 1996 | The Chamber | Dr. Anne Biddows |
| Wildly Available | Rita Goodman | |
| 1998 | Pleasantville | David and Jennifer's mom |
| 2015 | The Boat Builder | Katherine |
| 2016 | Wolves at the Door | Mary |
| 2017 | CHiPs | Jane Lindel |
| 2018 | 6 Balloons | Gayle |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | St. Elsewhere | Sandy Burns | 3 episodes |
| Remington Steele | Barbara Troy Dannon | Episode: "Altared Steele" | |
| Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Penny | Episode: "Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth" | |
| 1983–1984 | The Paper Chase | Connie Lehman | 8 episodes |
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Officer Clara Pilksy | 6 episodes |
| Something About Amelia | Mrs. Hall | Television movie | |
| Crazy Like a Fox | Julie Floyd | Pilot episode | |
| 1985 | Hometown | Mary Newell Abbott | 10 episodes |
| 1986 | The Right of the People | Alicia | Television movie |
| The Christmas Gift | Susan | ||
| 1987 | I'll Take Manhattan | Nina Stern | |
| The Three Kings | Dr. Paula Bolet | ||
| 1988 | American Playhouse | Susan Glaspell | Episode: "Journey Into Genius" |
| 1989 | Spooner | Gail Archer | Television movie |
| 1990–1991 | Equal Justice | Linda Bauer | 22 episodes |
| 1993 | Big Wave Dave's | Karen Fisher | 6 episodes |
| 1994 | Monty | Nickerson | Episode: "Wild, Wild Willy and His O.K. Corral" |
| Law & Order | Janet Rudman | Episode: "Censure" | |
| ABC Afterschool Specials | Mary Reed | Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys" | |
| L.A. Law | Karen Gershon-woo | Episode: "Whose San Andreas Fault Is It, Anyways?" | |
| Without Warning | Dr. Caroline Jaffe | Television movie | |
| 1995 | Picket Fences | Janice Neiman | Episode: "Heroes and Villains" |
| 1995–1999 | Party of Five | Helene Thompson | 3 episodes |
| 1996 | Touched by an Angel | Bonnie Bell | Episode: "Out of the Darkness" |
| ABC Afterschool Specials | Nancy Gallagher | Episode: "Educating Mom" | |
| Apollo 11 | Jan Armstrong | Television movie | |
| 1996–1997 | Cybill | Holly | 5 episodes |
| Frasier | Maureen Cutler | 2 episodes | |
| 1997 | The Practice | Pamela Boyd | |
| 1999 | Felicity | Carol Anderson | 5 episodes |
| 2000–2006 | Malcolm in the Middle | Lois | 151 episodes American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2000–01) Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2001–03) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2000–06) Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (2001, 2003) Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress – Comedy Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series |
| 2001–present | The Simpsons | Judge Constance Harm (voice) | 10 episodes |
| 2006–2007 | Help Me Help You | Anne Hoffman | 6 episodes |
| 2008–2009 | Raising the Bar | Judge Trudy Kessler | 23 episodes |
| 2010 | Reviving Ophelia | Marie Jones | Television movie |
| 2011 | Wilfred | Beth | Episode: "Pride" |
| 2011–2012 | Whitney | Candi | 3 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | The Middle | Sandy Armwood | 2 episodes |
| 2012–2015 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Red Jessica (voice) | 12 episodes |
| 2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | D.A. Pam James | Episode: "Beautiful Frame" |
| 2014 | Phineas and Ferb | Denise (voice) | Episode: "Lost in Danville/The Inator Method" |
| Us & Them | Pam | 7 episodes | |
| 2014–2017 | Playing House | Gwen Crawford | 7 episodes |
| 2015 | The McCarthys | Eileen | Episode: "Sister Act" |
| Big Time in Hollywood, FL | Dr. Moore | 2 episodes | |
| Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Coach Jackie (voice) | Episode: "Ultrahyperball" | |
| 2016 | The Big Bang Theory | Dr. Gallo | Episode: "The Sales Call Sublimation" |
| Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life | Cindy Barrett | Episode: "How to Survive Your Parents' Visit" | |
| 2018 | Animals. | Judge (voice) | Episode: "The Trial" |
| This Is Us | Mrs. Philips | Episode: "Katie Girls" | |
| 2019 | Trolls: The Beat Goes On! | Mom Cloud (voice) | Episode: "Don't Worry Be Peppy/Two's a Cloud" |
| Carol's Second Act | Phyllis | Episode: "Sick and Retired" | |
| Mixed-ish | Eleanor | Episode: "True Colors" | |
| 2023 | The Changeling | Callisto "Cal" | Episode: "The Wise Ones" |
| 2025 | Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair | Lois | Post-production |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Malcolm in the Middle | Nominated |
| TCA Awards | Individual Achievement in Comedy | Won | ||
| 2001 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| TCA Awards | Individual Achievement in Comedy | Won | ||
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Awards | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2004 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy | Won | ||
| 2005 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Ovation Awards | Lead Actress in a Play | Good People[30] | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ Mike Rose, cleveland com (December 21, 2023). "Famous birthdays list for December 21, 2023 includes celebrities Ray Romano, Kiefer Sutherland". cleveland. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ Schlichenmeyer, Terri; Meier, Mark (May 1, 2019). The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9781578596980 – via Google Books.
- ^ Gilpatrick, Kristin (September 25, 2002). Famous Wisconsin Film Stars. Badger Books Inc. ISBN 9781878569868 – via Google Books.
- ^ Roberts, Robin (July 13, 2003). "'Malcolm's' new fifth dimension". Record-Journal. p. F1, F5. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ Borun, Thaddeus (1946). We, the Milwaukee Poles: The History of Milwaukeeans of Polish Descent and a Record of Their Contributions to the Greatness of Milwaukee. Nowiny Publishing Company. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Gregorski, Frances J." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. May 29, 2003. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Jane Kaczmarek Biography". The Biography Channel. A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
The daughter of a defense department employee and a teacher, she grew up in a strict, Catholic household.
- ^ "Jane Kaczmarek cherishes local parks : The Bay View Compass". December 23, 2008. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ Powers, Joy; Larry, Robert (May 4, 2023). "Jane Kaczmarek reminisces on growing up in Milwaukee, ahead of performance with Theatre Gigante". Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Yahoo". blackvoices.aol.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007.
- ^ "Malcolm in the Middle". Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2006.. Fox.com
- ^ Malcolm in the Middle Archived November 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on TV.com
- ^ Haithman, Diane (September 12, 2008). "Jane Kaczmarek has the support she needs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (July 22, 2011). "Exclusive: Sharon Osbourne Gets Animated for Next TV Gig". TV Guide. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ Lead entry in the credits following the June 12, 2023, re-broadcast of the documentary)
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (November 19, 2012). "Law & Order: SVU Exclusive: Malcolm in the Middle Mom to Battle DA Barba". TV Guide. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ Teti, John (November 17, 2013). "A Breaking Bad alternate ending is a Malcolm In The Middle dream sequence". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- ^ Graham, Emily. "School Family - Jane Kaczmarek on Being a Real-Life Mom". www.schoolfamily.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (November 12, 2007). "Why Movie Stars Offer the Clothes Off Their Backs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ^ "Here's what the cast of Friends is up to this week". EW.com. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- ^ "Malcolm in the Middle – Kaczmarek Has Hip Replacement Surgery". contactmusic.com, June 24, 2004.
- ^ "Jane Kaczmarek – Kaczmarek Explains Hip Emmy Ad." contactmusic.com, August 29, 2004.
- ^ "Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek File for Divorce". People. June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ "Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford to Divorce - MORE Magazine". www.more.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ^ Lee, Luaine (October 4, 2010). "After an unexpected divorce, Jane Kaczmarek is starting over again". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ "Jane Kaczmarek: "Flexibility" Is The Key To Co-Parenting | Celebrity Baby Scoop". May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ "Whitford and Kaczmarek -- Divvying Up the Goodies". TMZ. October 22, 2010.
- ^ "Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford to Divorce - MORE Magazine". June 24, 2009. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Beale, Lauren (August 17, 2010). "Jane Kaczmarek, Bradley Whitford sell San Marino villa". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
- ^ "Center Theatre Group Tops 2012 Ovation Awards". November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
External links
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