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Jane Kaczmarek

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Jane Kaczmarek
Kaczmarek in 2014
Born
Jane Frances Kaczmarek

(1955-12-21) December 21, 1955 (age 68)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1983–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1992; div. 2010)​
Children3

Jane Frances Kaczmarek (/kæzˈmærək/; born December 21, 1955)[1][2][3] is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Lois on the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006), which earned her 3 Golden Globe nominations and 7 Primetime Emmy nominations. She also appeared as Linda 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 and is also known for a large number of recurring and guest-starring roles in various television shows. Kaczmarek was a replacement for the character of Bella in the Broadway production of Neil Simon's Lost In Yonkers.

Early life

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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, where she was raised a Roman Catholic.[7] Kaczmarek is a graduate of Greendale High School.[8]

Career

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She appeared on many television shows in recurring and guest-starring roles, including St. Elsewhere, sitcoms like Frasier and Cybill, and many more. 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.[9] TV Guide dubbed her role in the series as a "true breakout; a female Homer Simpson", and critics hailed her for her comic talents.[10] 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."[11]

On July 22, 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.[12]

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.[13]

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.[14]

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.[15]

Personal life

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Kaczmarek married fellow Wisconsin native and actor Bradley Whitford on August 15, 1992. They resided in Los Angeles with their three children. Both were active with charity, and were seen attending major award shows together. In June 2009, the couple filed for divorce after almost 17 years of marriage.[16][17] The divorce was finalized in October 2010.[18]

Kaczmarek underwent a hip replacement in April 2004, due to chronic arthritis.[19] She recovered quickly, and 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)".[20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1983 Uncommon Valor Mrs. Wilkes
1984 Falling in Love Ann Raftis
1985 The Heavenly Kid Emily Barnes
1985 Door to Door Katherine Holloway
1988 D.O.A. Gail Cornell
1988 Vice Versa Robyn Seymour
1989 All's Fair Linda
1996 The Chamber Dr. Anne Biddows
1996 Wildly Available Rita Goodman
1998 Pleasantville David's mom
2015 The Boat Builder Katherine
2016 Wolves at the Door Mary
2017 CHiPs Jane Lindel
2018 6 Balloons Gayle

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1983 St. Elsewhere Sandy Burns 3 episodes
1983 Remington Steele Barbara Troy Dannon Episode: "Altared Steele"
1983 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
1984 Something About Amelia Mrs. Hall Television movie
1984 Crazy Like a Fox Julie Floyd Pilot episode
1985 Hometown Mary Newell Abbott 10 episodes
1986 The Right of the People Alicia Television movie
1986 The Christmas Gift Susan Television movie
1987 I'll Take Manhattan Nina Stern Television movie
1987 The Three Kings Dr. Paula Bolet Television movie
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"
1994 Law & Order Janet Rudman Episode: "Censure"
1994 ABC Afterschool Specials Mary Reed Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys"
1994 L.A. Law Karen Gershon-woo Episode: "Whose San Andreas Fault Is It, Anyways?"
1994 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"
1996 ABC Afterschool Specials Nancy Gallagher Episode: "Educating Mom"
1996 Apollo 11 Jan Armstrong Television movie
1996–1997 Cybill Holly 5 episodes
1996–1997 Frasier Maureen Cutler 2 episodes
1997 The Practice Pamela Boyd 2 episodes
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
2001–2022 The Simpsons Judge Constance Harm (voice) 9 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"
2014 Us & Them Pam Unaired, 7 episodes
2014–2017 Playing House Gwen Crawford 7 episodes
2015 The McCarthys Eileen Episode: "Sister Act"
2015 Big Time in Hollywood, FL Dr. Moore 2 episodes
2015 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Coach Jackie (voice) Episode: "Ultrahyperball"
2016 The Big Bang Theory Dr. Gallo Episode: "The Sales Call Sublimation"
2016 Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life Cindy Barrett Episode: "How to Survive Your Parents' Visit"
2018 Animals. Judge (voice) Episode: "The Trial"
2018 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"
2019 Carol's Second Act Phyllis Episode: "Sick and Retired"
2019 Mixed-ish Eleanor Episode: "True Colors"
2023 The Changeling Callisto "Cal" Episode: "The Wise Ones"

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result
2000 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Malcolm in the Middle Nominated
2000 TCA Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Won
2001 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2001 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy Nominated
2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2001 TCA Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Won
2002 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2002 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy Nominated
2002 Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy Nominated
2003 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2003 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy Nominated
2003 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
2004 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 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2012 Ovation Awards Lead Actress in a Play Good People[21] Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Mike Rose, cleveland com (2023-12-21). "Famous birthdays list for December 21, 2023 includes celebrities Ray Romano, Kiefer Sutherland". cleveland. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  2. ^ Schlichenmeyer, Terri; Meier, Mark (May 1, 2019). The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9781578596980 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Gilpatrick, Kristin (September 25, 2002). Famous Wisconsin Film Stars. Badger Books Inc. ISBN 9781878569868 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Roberts, Robin (July 13, 2003). "'Malcolm's' new fifth dimension". Record-Journal. p. F1, F5. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  5. ^ 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 10 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Gregorski, Frances J." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. May 29, 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Jane Kaczmarek Biography". The Biography Channel. A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2014. The daughter of a defense department employee and a teacher, she grew up in a strict, Catholic household.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Yahoo". blackvoices.aol.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007.
  10. ^ "Malcolm in the Middle". Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved 2006-05-18.. Fox.com
  11. ^ Malcolm in the Middle Archived 2012-11-07 at the Wayback Machine on TV.com
  12. ^ Schneider, Michael (July 22, 2011). "Exclusive: Sharon Osbourne Gets Animated for Next TV Gig". TV Guide. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  13. ^ Lead entry in the credits following the June 12, 2023, re-broadcast of the documentary)
  14. ^ Stanhope, Kate (November 19, 2012). "Law & Order: SVU Exclusive: Malcolm in the Middle Mom to Battle DA Barba". TV Guide. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  15. ^ Teti, John (November 17, 2013). "A Breaking Bad alternate ending is a Malcolm In The Middle dream sequence". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 30, 2013.[dead link]
  16. ^ "Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek File for Divorce". People. June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  17. ^ "Bradley Whitford, Jane Kaczmarek File for Divorce After Nearly 17 Years". TV Guide. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  18. ^ "Whitford and Kaczmarek -- Divvying Up the Goodies". TMZ. October 22, 2010.
  19. ^ "Malcolm in the Middle – Kaczmarek Has Hip Replacement Surgery". contactmusic.com, 24 June 2004.
  20. ^ "Jane Kaczmarek – Kaczmarek Explains Hip Emmy Ad." contactmusic.com, 29 August 2004.
  21. ^ "Center Theatre Group Tops 2012 Ovation Awards". 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
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