Jane Lynch Is Riding High

I fell in love with Jane Lynch when she played Christy Cummings in the 2000 film 'Best of Show.' Actually many people fell in love with her work in the Christopher Guest mockumentary. She also appeared in Guest's 'A Mighty Wind' (2003) as porn actress-turned-folk singer Laurie Bohner and in 'For Your Consideration' (2006) as an entertainment reporter. She is brilliant in all of them.



The seasoned actress has a list of credits a mile long. Audiences and critics took notice of Lynch for her oddball turn in Judd Apatow's 'The Forty-Year Old Virgin.' Since then, she has starred in a series of comedy films including: 'Role Models, Walk Hard: 'The Dewey Cox Story, Space Chimps, and The Roker' to name but a few.



She most recently starred in 'Julie and Julia,' playing the role of Dorothy McWilliams, Julia Child's sister. Entertainment Weekly dedicated an article on their website towards the possibility of her performance receiving an Academy Award nomination.



If you don't see movies you will still know her if you have ever watched TV. Jane is currently enjoying her most high profile role in the Fox show 'Glee' playing the aggressive cheer leading coach Sue. Mary McNamara of the LA Times wrote, "Lynch alone makes 'Glee' worth watching." Before this she was starring in Starz's 'Party Down' and a host of other television shows including ' The West Wing, Felicity, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, Boston Legal, and Monk' among many others.



Can you tell how busy this woman is? As if television and feature films weren't enough, now Jane Lynch is tackling the New York stage. For a month starting October 21, through November 15, she will be part of a rotating cast in Nora and Delia Ephron’s 'Love, Loss and What I Wore' at the Westside Theatre.



I met Jane Lynch three years ago on the set of the TV show, 'Rodney.' I told her how much I enjoyed her work and how I needed to take her picture. She oblidged and we did a photo session that included some of my favorite work. She called when she needed new photos and these are the results. Eric Venturo, who is also a great admirer of Jane's work, was there to lend his magic touch with the lighting and fine-tuning the look. After the session we had a chance to catch up with the very busy Jane Lynch!





AM: Hello Jane. I know you are getting ready to go to New York . Are you excited?



JL: Yes I go to Washington DC for a while and then I go to New York to do a play, 'Love Loss and What I Wore'. Nora Ephron wrote it. I'll be there for a month. They have a rotating cast. I'll be there starting October 15.



AM: Is this on Broadway?



JL: It is off-Broadway. It's just a reading and I haven't seen it yet but I will see it when I get there. I'll find out what I'm in for. I'm so excited!



AM: What was it like working with Meryl Streep?



JL: It was GREAT! You know at the end of the day she is just another actress who happens to be really good. You can't help but talk about how wonderful and great she is.

I was a little nervous but it was a lot of fun. I also love Stanley Tucci so I enjoyed working with him.



AM: Everybody loves the movie.



JL: That's nice to hear. Meryl so embraces the eccentricities of anyone she plays. She just recreates the energy of Julia Child. She is sweet and passionate. She stepped into the role in a big way.



EV: I love you in 'Role Models.'



JL: Thank you. That was also a fun role.



AM: I really liked you on 'Party Down' as well. You had to get out of that show didn't you?



JL: Yes, I did but I really wanted to do that show. 'Party Down' was a pure joy. It was one of those happy accidents where we all work together so well. It's very real and we all connected with it. It was wonderful and I knew it was special. I am going to do one episode next season so we can tie up my story line.



AM: Are you enjoying 'Glee?'



JL: We are not in production right now. We go back in January to film nine more episodes. It's going really well.



AM: Do you like your character?



JL: Yes, I get to say some of the best lines an actor ever gets to say. I'm the beneficiary of some of the best writing.



AM: I remember the last time we talked you were looking for a series. Does this fill the bill for you?



JL: Yes it fills the bill. I was actually committed to another pilot when this one came up. I almost couldn't do it. It was one of those things where you kick yourself in the butt. You take a pilot every season. At least that's how I've always operated, never thinking that I could get myself hooked up with something and then have something better come along. It did teach me to not take anything I wasn't thrilled with.



AM: You are at a point where you don't have to do that anymore.



JL: Well I don't know.



AM: Not for a while anyway.



JL: I don't know if I can ever do this much press ever again! (laughing) I have to find a way to reinvent it. I have to talk to people who do more press and see how they do it. I ALWAYS want to be the best interview they do all day! I'd love to be a fly on the wall while Meryl Streep does interviews. I've been promoting four different projects over the past few months so it is kind of crazy.



AM: Have you heard anything about a new Christopher Guest film?



JL: Not that I know of. I haven't heard anything.



AM: When you finish 'Glee' are you going to take some time off?



JL: I don't know. We'll see. It depends how I feel. Television can be grueling with a lot of hours. I've never been in this position before.



AM: Do you notice a difference in people recognizing you now?



JL: Yes...television is a powerful medium. I'm recognized a lot more. I always love it. I always think it's nice, but it's gone up several notches lately.



AM: Is it more than you imagined it to be?



JL: No, it's about what I thought it would be. I was prepared for this after working this long.



EV: I will see a film or television program JUST because you are in it.



JL: Is that right? Well that's really nice. I love it and I appreciate that.



AM: I know plenty of people who will see something just because you are in it. That is a power.



JL: That is so nice but it's almost too much. It either really humbles you or takes you to the other side where you feel entitled. I rarely get very excited or very upset anymore. I have found an even keel.

photos: Alan Mercer lighting: Eric Venturo