Person

Melanie Lynskey

Acting · Born 1977-05-16 · New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Biography

Melanie Jayne Lynskey (born May 16, 1977) is a New Zealand actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American dialects, she works predominantly in independent films. Lynskey is the recipient of two Critics' Choice Awards, a HCA Award, a Gracie, a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, and a Sundance Special Jury Award, as well as Gotham, Satellite, Saturn, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen Actors Guild, and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Known for

Filmography

2026Don't Say Good Luck
2025Pike RiverAnna Osborne
2025Griffin in SummerHelen
2025Hollywood SquaresSelf
2024MatlockDebra Palmer
2024The Making of The Tattooist of AuschwitzSelf
2024The Tattooist of AuschwitzHeather Morris
2024Hot Ones VersusSelf
2024After MidnightSelf
2023Poker FaceRegina Gilvary
2023The Last of UsKathleen Coghlan
2022The Jennifer Hudson Show
2022CandyBetty Gore
2021Don't Look UpJune Mindy
2021YellowjacketsShauna Sadecki
2021Lady of the ManorHannah
2020Mrs. AmericaRosemary Thomson
2019The Kelly Clarkson ShowSelf
2018SadieRae
2018Castle RockMolly Strand
2018Summer Camp IslandSun (voice)
2017SunshineZara Skelton
2017The ChangeoverKate Chant
2017Young SheldonDora Ericson
2017Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years LaterLaura
2017And Then I GoJanice
2017GirlbossGail
2017Little BoxesGina
20171 Mile To YouCoach Rowan
2017XXMary (segment "The Birthday Party")
2017I Don't Feel at Home in This World AnymoreRuth Kimke
2016EasyBeth
2016Our Ex-WifeSara
2016The InterventionAnnie
2016Folk Hero & Funny GuyBecky
2016The Great & The SmallMargaret
2016Rainbow TimeLindsay
2016Future-Worm!Megan (voice)
2015The Late Show with Stephen ColbertSelf - Guest
2015Digging for FireSquiggy
2015Behind Over the Garden WallSelf
2015The Late Late Show with James CordenSelf - Guest
2015TogethernessMichelle Pierson
2014Variety Studio: Actors on ActorsSelf
2014Goodbye to All ThatAnnie Wall
2014Over the Garden WallBeatrice (voice)
2014We'll Never Have ParisDevon
2014Celebrity Name GameSelf
2014Happy ChristmasKelly
2014They Came TogetherBrenda
2014The Big AskHannah
2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf
2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf
2014Chu and BlossomMiss Shoemaker
2013MomShannon
2013A Kiwi LegendSelf
2012PutzelSally
2012The Perks of Being a WallflowerAunt Helen
2012Hello I Must Be GoingAmy
2012Seeking a Friend for the End of the WorldKaren Amalfi
2012Eye of the HurricaneAmelia Kyte
2012Key & PeeleFiance
2011TouchbackMacy
2011Win WinCindy Timmons
2011Helena from the Wedding: Cast InterviewsSelf
2010Helena from the WeddingAlice
2009Up in the AirJulie Bingham
2009The Informant!Ginger Whitacre
2009Leaves of GrassColleen
2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest
2009Away We GoMunch
2008A Quiet Little MarriageMonique
2008Show of HandsJess
2008The Life & Times of TimBecky (voice)
2008Comanche MoonPearl Coleman
2007Itty Bitty Titty CommitteePat (uncredited)
2007DriveWendy Patrakas
2006Flags of Our FathersPauline Harnois
2006PsychEmily Bloom
2006Say UncleSusan
2006ParkSheryl
2005It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaKate
2005American Dad!Sharon (voice)
2004HouseNatalie Tavares
2004The Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe CadwaulderZoe Cadwaulder
2004The L WordClea Mason
2003Shattered GlassAmy Brand
2003Two and a Half MenRose
2003ClaustrophobiaLauren
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self
2002AbandonMousy Julie
2002Sweet Home AlabamaLurlynn
2002The ShieldMarcy
2002Rose RedRachel Wheaton
2002ShootersMarie
2001SnakeskinAlice
2001Foreign CorrespondentsMelody
2000Coyote UglyGloria
2000But I'm a CheerleaderHilary
2000Big BrotherSelf - Actress, 'Two & a ½ Men'
1999Detroit Rock CityBeth Bumsteen
1999The Cherry OrchardDunyasha
1998EverAfterJacqueline de Ghent
1996The FrightenersDeputy
1994Heavenly CreaturesPauline Parker
1988This MorningSelf

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