 ProductLink |
|
 At 16 years of age, Melanie Lynskey captivated filmgoers with an astonishing debut in Peter Jackson's revered psychological crime picture, Heavenly Creatures (1994). Her bold embodiment of the real-life Pauline Parker - a teenage outcast whose fierce bond with her only friend (a pre-stardom Kate Winslet) spiralled dangerously out of control - was heralded by TIME's Richard Corliss as "perfect", whilst earning the young New Zealander a Best Actress trophy in her motherland. Following a three-year hiatus spent studying at university and re-locating to Los Angeles, Lynskey made a welcome return to the silver screen when she was cast as Drew Barrymore's lovable stepsister in Andy Tennant's feminist fairy tale reworking, Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998). Parts in Detroit Rock City (1999), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Coyote Ugly (2000), Snakeskin (2001), Abandon (2002), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Shattered Glass (2003), and Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated war epic Flags of Our Fathers (2006) came next.In the ensuing years, Lynskey emerged as one of the industry's most celebrated character actors, gaining plaudits for a succession of notable turns in prestige vehicles such as Sam Mendes's Away We Go (2009), Jason Reitman's Up in the Air (2009), Steven Soderbergh's The Informant! (2009), Tom McCarthy's Win Win (2011), Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), and Adam McKay's Don't Look Up (2021). Prolific supporting roles - opposite the calibre of George Clooney, Edward Norton, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio - aside, headline appearances in Hello I Must Be Going (2012), Happy Christmas (2014), The Intervention (2016) - for which she received a Special Jury Prize at Sundance - and the genre-bending I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) have equally proved her mettle as a dynamite leading lady.On television, Lynskey has worked her scene-stealing magic in an eclectic mixture of projects, such as the enormously successful Two and a Half Men (2003), where she appeared for twelve years as Charlie Sheen's duplicitous admirer, Rose; the acclaimed HBO dramedy Togetherness (2015), for which she nabbed a Critics' Choice nomination for her "sublime" (Vanity Fair) portrayal of a dissatisfied stay-at-home mother; the supernatural horror series Castle Rock (2018), where she headlined as troubled psychic Molly Strand; and the critically lauded miniseries Mrs. America (2020), in which she co-starred with Cate Blanchett. In 2022, Lynskey collected a coveted Critics' Choice Award (Best Actress in a Drama Series) for her mesmerising portrayal of Shauna - a suburban housewife harbouring grim secrets - on Showtime's furiously popular Yellowjackets (2021), with Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone describing her work as the "dark, messy, charismatic part she's been waiting her whole career to play".
Bio:
At 16 years of age, Melanie Lynskey captivated filmgoers with an astonishing debut in Peter Jackson's revered psychological crime picture, Heavenly Creatures (1994). Her bold embodiment of the real-life Pauline Parker - a teenage outcast whose fierce bond with her only friend (a pre-stardom Kate Winslet) spiralled dangerously out of control - was heralded by TIME's Richard Corliss as "perfect", whilst earning the young New Zealander a Best Actress trophy in her motherland. Following a three-year hiatus spent studying at university and re-locating to Los Angeles, Lynskey made a welcome return to the silver screen when she was cast as Drew Barrymore's lovable stepsister in Andy Tennant's feminist fairy tale reworking, Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998). Parts in Detroit Rock City (1999), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Coyote Ugly (2000), Snakeskin (2001), Abandon (2002), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Shattered Glass (2003), and Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated war epic Flags of Our Fathers (2006) came next.In the ensuing years, Lynskey emerged as one of the industry's most celebrated character actors, gaining plaudits for a succession of notable turns in prestige vehicles such as Sam Mendes's Away We Go (2009), Jason Reitman's Up in the Air (2009), Steven Soderbergh's The Informant! (2009), Tom McCarthy's Win Win (2011), Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), and Adam McKay's Don't Look Up (2021). Prolific supporting roles - opposite the calibre of George Clooney, Edward Norton, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio - aside, headline appearances in Hello I Must Be Going (2012), Happy Christmas (2014), The Intervention (2016) - for which she received a Special Jury Prize at Sundance - and the genre-bending I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) have equally proved her mettle as a dynamite leading lady.On television, Lynskey has worked her scene-stealing magic in an eclectic mixture of projects, such as the enormously successful Two and a Half Men (2003), where she appeared for twelve years as Charlie Sheen's duplicitous admirer, Rose; the acclaimed HBO dramedy Togetherness (2015), for which she nabbed a Critics' Choice nomination for her "sublime" (Vanity Fair) portrayal of a dissatisfied stay-at-home mother; the supernatural horror series Castle Rock (2018), where she headlined as troubled psychic Molly Strand; and the critically lauded miniseries Mrs. America (2020), in which she co-starred with Cate Blanchett. In 2022, Lynskey collected a coveted Critics' Choice Award (Best Actress in a Drama Series) for her mesmerising portrayal of Shauna - a suburban housewife harbouring grim secrets - on Showtime's furiously popular Yellowjackets (2021), with Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone describing her work as the "dark, messy, charismatic part she's been waiting her whole career to play".
Tivia:
Close friend Emily Deschanel was a bridesmaid at her wedding.She was discovered by Fran Walsh during an exhaustive search for a teenage actress to play Pauline Parker in Heavenly Creatures (1994), just two weeks before filming was due to commence.Has a daughter (b. December 2018) with her husband Jason Ritter.Announced to Hollywood Today Live on Thursday, February 16, 2017, that she is engaged to her boyfriend of four years, actor Jason Ritter. They later married sometime before December 2018.Her father is an orthopedic surgeon and her mother is a real estate agent.Was the first person to kiss Kate Winslet in a film (Heavenly Creatures (1994)).Friends with Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne, both of whom she worked with in But I'm a Cheerleader (1999).Her surname, "Lynskey", is Irish.(September 25, 2012) Filed for divorce from her husband of five years, Jimmi Simpson, after five months of separation.She had just turned 18 when she made a cameo appearance in The Frighteners (1996), which was her second collaboration with Peter Jackson (the first being Heavenly Creatures (1994)).Turned down a role in Mansfield Park (1999) for fear of typecasting - she'd already played a similar part in Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998).Almost landed the role of Valerie (played by Patricia Arquette) in Little Nicky (2000), and was considered for Cameron Diaz's role in Gangs of New York (2002).Showgirls (1995) is one of her favorite movies, along with Blue Velvet (1986), Kicking and Screaming (1995), Naked (1993) and Wet Hot American Summer (2001).One of her best friends is Michael Weston, whom she met during the making of Coyote Ugly (2000) (he played her husband in the film). Twelve years later, Weston's real-life father - John Rubinstein - played her character's dad in Hello I Must Be Going (2012).She once had a dog called Mouse, a chihuahua-dachshund mix, which she named after her character in Abandon (2002).Supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States).Received coaching from co-star Sarah Peirse for her debut in Heavenly Creatures (1994).(1999-2000) Lived in London with Andrew Howard, whom she met during the filming of The Cherry Orchard (1999).She attended New Plymouth Girls' High School, and later studied at Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.Friends with Joss Whedon.As of 2022, she has been in 2 films that were Oscar nominated for Best Picture: Up in the Air (2009) and Don't Look Up (2021).Her favorite authors are Margaret Atwood and Milan Kundera.Auditioned for roles in The Crucible (1996), Scream (1996) and Cousin Bette (1998).Starred in a production of Jean Genet's 1947 play "The Maids" at BATS Theatre (Wellington, New Zealand) between 9-15 March, 1997.Has appeared in three films (to date) with Gillian Jacobs: Helena from the Wedding (2010), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) and The Big Ask (2013).Frequently works with past co-stars.The directors she'd most like to work with are Noah Baumbach, Jane Campion, Michael Haneke and Nicole Holofcener.Named one of E! Online's "Sizzlin' Sixteen" in 2003.Stepdaughter-in-law of Amy Yasbeck.Daughter-in-law of John Ritter and Nancy Morgan.Sister-in-law of Carly Ritter and Tyler Ritter; half-sister-in-law of Stella Ritter.Was considered for the role of Giselle in Mona Lisa Smile (2003); the part would eventually go to Maggie Gyllenhaal, but Lynskey sent Mike Newell, the film's director, a "thank you" note to express her gratitude after the audition, which she felt had been a positive experience.Her daughter's name-Kahikatea; pronounced "kaa-hee-kuh-tay-uh"-is taken from a tall cone-bearing tree, native to New Zealand and valued for its timber and resin.The actresses she most admires are Katrin Cartlidge - whom she worked with on The Cherry Orchard (1999), three years before her death - and Olivia Colman.Originally cast as Mindy in Big Stan (2007), but was replaced by Jennifer Morrison due to scheduling conflicts. |
| Name: |
Melanie Lynskey |
Type: |
Actress,Soundtrack (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actress,Soundtrack |
| Products for sale: |
Actress,Soundtrack |
| Model rank: |
30 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 02:41:29 |
| Height: |
5' 7' (1.70 m) |
| Biography: |
At 16 years of age, Melanie Lynskey captivated filmgoers with an astonishing debut in Peter Jackson\'s revered psychological crime picture, Heavenly Creatures (1994). Her bold embodiment of the real-life Pauline Parker - a teenage outcast whose fierc |
| Trivia: |
Close friend Emily Deschanel was a bridesmaid at her wedding.She was discovered by Fran Walsh during an exhaustive search for a teenage actress to play Pauline Parker in Heavenly Creatures (1994), just two weeks before filming was due to commence.Has a daughter (b. December 2018) with her husband Jason Ritter.Announced to Hollywood Today Live on Thursday, February 16, 2017, that she is engaged to her boyfriend of four years, actor Jason Ritter. They later married sometime before December 2018.Her father is an orthopedic surgeon and her mother is a real estate agent.Was the first person to kiss Kate Winslet in a film (Heavenly Creatures (1994)).Friends with Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne, both of whom she worked with in But I'm a Cheerleader (1999).Her surname, "Lynskey", is Irish.(September 25, 2012) Filed for divorce from her husband of five years, Jimmi Simpson, after five months of separation.She had just turned 18 when she made a cameo appearance in The Frighteners (1996), which was her second collaboration with Peter Jackson (the first being Heavenly Creatures (1994)).Turned down a role in Mansfield Park (1999) for fear of typecasting - she'd already played a similar part in Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998).Almost landed the role of Valerie (played by Patricia Arquette) in Little Nicky (2000), and was considered for Cameron Diaz's role in Gangs of New York (2002).Showgirls (1995) is one of her favorite movies, along with Blue Velvet (1986), Kicking and Screaming (1995), Naked (1993) and Wet Hot American Summer (2001).One of her best friends is Michael Weston, whom she met during the making of Coyote Ugly (2000) (he played her husband in the film). Twelve years later, Weston's real-life father - John Rubinstein - played her character's dad in Hello I Must Be Going (2012).She once had a dog called Mouse, a chihuahua-dachshund mix, which she named after her character in Abandon (2002).Supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States).Received coaching from co-star Sarah Peirse for her debut in Heavenly Creatures (1994).(1999-2000) Lived in London with Andrew Howard, whom she met during the filming of The Cherry Orchard (1999).She attended New Plymouth Girls' High School, and later studied at Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.Friends with Joss Whedon.As of 2022, she has been in 2 films that were Oscar nominated for Best Picture: Up in the Air (2009) and Don't Look Up (2021).Her favorite authors are Margaret Atwood and Milan Kundera.Auditioned for roles in The Crucible (1996), Scream (1996) and Cousin Bette (1998).Starred in a production of Jean Genet's 1947 play "The Maids" at BATS Theatre (Wellington, New Zealand) between 9-15 March, 1997.Has appeared in three films (to date) with Gillian Jacobs: Helena from the Wedding (2010), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) and The Big Ask (2013).Frequently works with past co-stars.The directors she'd most like to work with are Noah Baumbach, Jane Campion, Michael Haneke and Nicole Holofcener.Named one of E! Online's "Sizzlin' Sixteen" in 2003.Stepdaughter-in-law of Amy Yasbeck.Daughter-in-law of John Ritter and Nancy Morgan.Sister-in-law of Carly Ritter and Tyler Ritter; half-sister-in-law of Stella Ritter.Was considered for the role of Giselle in Mona Lisa Smile (2003); the part would eventually go to Maggie Gyllenhaal, but Lynskey sent Mike Newell, the film's director, a "thank you" note to express her gratitude after the audition, which she felt had been a positive experience.Her daughter's name-Kahikatea; pronounced "kaa-hee-kuh-tay-uh"-is taken from a tall cone-bearing tree, native to New Zealand and valued for its timber and resin.The actresses she most admires are Katrin Cartlidge - whom she worked with on The Cherry Orchard (1999), three years before her death - and Olivia Colman.Originally cast as Mindy in Big Stan (2007), but was replaced by Jennifer Morrison due to scheduling conflicts. |
| Quotes: |
[on life after Heavenly Creatures (1994)] I think the hardest thing was to go back to school. It's a pretty catty environment at an all-girls school and things happened. For example, 60 Minutes (1993) came to do a story on me and followed me around for a day. At school you just don't need that. And then I would have to go to New York or Sydney for a week and take time out. And while they were amazing experiences, it was hard because I had these two completely separate lives. I think a lot of people resented that. It put me outside of them a bit.
<br />
<hr>
I don't think I'll ever be a movie star.
<br />
<hr>
You always see those movies that have amazing casts, and it's funny to be in one of them. It's a list of all these fantastic people--and, oh, me as well.
<br />
<hr>
If I ever have time off and don't know what's coming up next, I get really nervous and think, 'Oh well, it's probably over.'
<br />
<hr>
I always thought I'd be in New Zealand doing theater. Everything I've done is greater than my greatest dreams. |
| Job title: |
Actress,Soundtrack |
| Others works: |
(2015) Music video: "Waiting on Love" by Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers
(2015) Music video: "Team Ball Player Thing" by Various artists
(2012) Voiceover: In-flight safety video, Air New Zealand |
| Spouse: |
Jason Ritter (2018 - present) (1 child)Jimmi Simpson (April 14, 2007 - May 22, 2014) (divorced) |
| Parents: |
Kay Lynskey
Tim Lynskey
John Ritter
Nancy Morgan
Amy Yasbeck |
|
