Melanie Lynskey
| Melanie Lynskey | |
|---|---|
 Lynskey in 2014 | |
| Born |
Melanie Jayne Lynskey 16 May 1977 New Plymouth, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse(s) | Jimmi Simpson (m. 2007–14) |
Melanie Jayne Lynskey (born 16 May 1977)[1] is a New Zealand actress, known for playing Rose on Two and a Half Men, Michelle Pierson on Togetherness, as well as roles in the films Heavenly Creatures (1994), Up in the Air (2009), and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012).
Early life
Lynskey was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand,[1] to a mother who is a former nurse and a father who is an orthopedic surgeon.[2] She is the oldest of five children, and has three brothers and one sister.[2] Her surname is Irish.[2]
She studied theatre and English literature at Victoria University of Wellington.[3]
Career
In 1994, Lynskey made her feature film debut at age 16, starring as Pauline Parker in the cult film[4] Heavenly Creatures, which was inspired by the Parker–Hulme murder case. The film was directed by Peter Jackson and co-starred Kate Winslet.[5] Lynskey won Best Actress at the 1995 New Zealand Film and TV Awards for her performance.[6]
In 1998, Lynskey appeared in the Drew Barrymore film Ever After, a re-imagining of the Cinderella story. This was followed by parts in Detroit Rock City, But I'm a Cheerleader, The Cherry Orchard, Shooters and Coyote Ugly, as well as the independent feature Snakeskin.[7] Lynskey received her second nomination for Best Actress at the New Zealand Film and TV Awards for her performance in Snakeskin.[8]
In 2002, Lynskey appeared in the Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, co-starred with Katie Holmes in Abandon and made her television debut in Rose Red, a miniseries penned by Stephen King.
In 2003, Lynskey played a writer for The New Republic in Shattered Glass, a drama based on the exploits of former journalist Stephen Glass. Later that year, she landed the part of Rose – Charlie Harper's deranged but charming neighbour on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men.
Despite leaving the main cast in 2005 to concentrate on film work, Lynskey continued to make guest appearances on the show, with a storyline where her character set her sights on Walden (Ashton Kutcher).[9]
In 2006, she played the wife of Rene Gagnon in Clint Eastwood's World War II-set Flags of Our Fathers, and returned to New Zealand in late 2007 to a starring role in Show of Hands, which premiered at the 2008 Montreal Film Festival and earned Lynskey a nomination for Best Actress at the Qantas Television Awards.[10]
In 2009, Lynskey garnered praise for her performance in Away We Go, directed by Sam Mendes, playing a seemingly happy adoptive parent who hides a secret heartache.[11] She also played the female lead – opposite Matt Damon – in Steven Soderbergh's The Informant!, based on the true story of FBI whistleblower Mark Whitacre. The film premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.[12] Soderbergh told the Los Angeles Times, "She is so watchable, you never quite know what you're going to get, you just know it's going to be good. Her rhythms are really unusual, like her cadence and her reaction times to things, and the way she sort of lays out a sentence. It's just really, really interesting."[13] Lynskey counts her time working on The Informant! as one of her favorite experiences.[14]
Also in 2009, Lynskey co-starred in Leaves of Grass with Edward Norton, and Jason Reitman's Academy Award-nominated Up in the Air, in which she played the younger sister of George Clooney's character. In October 2009, Lynskey was presented with a Spotlight Award by the Hollywood Film Festival.[15]
In 2011, she co-starred in Win Win[16] with Paul Giamatti. The following year, Lynskey appeared in Focus Features' comedy Seeking a Friend for the End of the World with Steve Carell, and had a key role in the film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower, playing the mentally disturbed aunt of main character Charlie (Logan Lerman). The independent drama Hello I Must Be Going, in which she portrayed Amy, a dispirited 30-something who finds herself having to move back in with her parents, was particularly well received by critics.[17][18] The performance earned her a nomination for Breakthrough Actor at the 2012 Gotham Awards.[19] Hello I Must Be Going was selected to open the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.[20]
In 2014, Lynskey had starring roles in Joe Swanberg's Happy Christmas,[21] Angus MacLachlan's Goodbye to All That[22] and Simon Helberg's We'll Never Have Paris.[23]
In 2015, Lynskey co-stars as Michelle Pierson on the HBO comedy series Togetherness, a show created by Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, and Steve Zissis.[24][25][26]
Acting style
Lynskey describes herself as a character actress.[27]
Personal life
In 2001, Lynskey met American actor Jimmi Simpson during the filming of Rose Red, in which they both appeared. They became engaged in 2005 and married on 14 April 2007, in a chapel on Lake Hayes, near Queenstown, New Zealand.[28] Lynskey filed for divorce from Simpson on 25 September 2012, citing irreconcilable differences.[29] The divorce was finalized on 23 May 2014.[30]
She is best friends with But I'm a Cheerleader co-star Clea DuVall[31] and resides in Los Angeles.[32] She has misophonia.[33]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Heavenly Creatures | Pauline Parker | |
| 1996 | Frighteners, TheThe Frighteners | Deputy | |
| 1998 | Ever After | Jacqueline de Ghent | |
| 1999 | Foreign Correspondents | Melody | |
| 1999 | Detroit Rock City | Beth Bumstein | |
| 1999 | But I'm a Cheerleader | Hilary | |
| 1999 | Cherry Orchard, TheThe Cherry Orchard | Dunyasha | |
| 1999 | Measureless to Man | Short film | |
| 2000 | Coyote Ugly | Gloria | |
| 2001 | Snakeskin | Alice | |
| 2002 | Shooters | Marie | |
| 2002 | Abandon | Mousy Julie | |
| 2002 | Sweet Home Alabama | Lurlynn | |
| 2003 | Claustrophobia | Lauren | |
| 2003 | Shattered Glass | Amy Brand | |
| 2004 | Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe Cadwaulder, TheThe Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe Cadwaulder | Zoe Cadwaulder | Short film |
| 2005 | Say Uncle | Susan | |
| 2006 | Park | Sheryl | |
| 2006 | Flags of Our Fathers | Pauline Harnois | |
| 2007 | Itty Bitty Titty Committee | Plastic Surgery Lady | Uncredited |
| 2008 | Show of Hands | Jess | |
| 2008 | Quiet Little Marriage, AA Quiet Little Marriage | Monique | |
| 2009 | Away We Go | Munch Garnett | |
| 2009 | Up in the Air | Julie Bingham | |
| 2009 | Informant!, TheThe Informant! | Ginger Whitacre | |
| 2009 | Leaves of Grass | Colleen | |
| 2010 | Helena from the Wedding | Alice | |
| 2011 | Win Win | Cindy | |
| 2011 | Touchback | Macy | |
| 2012 | Hello I Must Be Going | Amy | |
| 2012 | Eye of the Hurricane | Amelia Kyte | |
| 2012 | Seeking a Friend for the End of the World | Karen Amalfi | |
| 2012 | Perks of Being a Wallflower, TheThe Perks of Being a Wallflower | Aunt Helen | |
| 2012 | Putzel | Sally | |
| 2013 | Big Ask, TheThe Big Ask | Hannah | |
| 2014 | Happy Christmas | Kelly | |
| 2014 | They Came Together | Brenda | |
| 2014 | Chu and Blossom | Miss Shoemaker | |
| 2014 | We'll Never Have Paris | Devon | |
| 2014 | Goodbye to All That | Annie | |
| 2015 | Digging for Fire | Squiggy | |
| 2016 | The Intervention | Annie | |
| 2016 | Rainbow Time | Lindsay | |
| 2016 | Folk Hero & Funny Guy | Becky | |
| 2016 | The Great & The Small | Margaret | Post-production |
| 2016 | Little Boxes | Gina | Post-production |
| 2016 | Life at These Speeds | Coach Rowan | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Rose Red | Rachel Wheaton | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | Shield, TheThe Shield | Marcy | 2 episodes |
| 2003–2015 | Two and a Half Men | Rose | 63 episodes |
| 2007 | Drive | Wendy Partrakas | 6 episodes |
| 2008 | Comanche Moon | Pearl Coleman | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Psych | Emily Bloom | Episode: "Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion" |
| 2008 | L Word, TheThe L Word | Clea Mason | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Kate | Episode: "The Gang Exploits the Mortgage Crisis" |
| 2010 | Memphis Beat | Annaliese Jones | Episode: "Polk Salad Annie" |
| 2010–2012 | Life & Times of Tim, TheThe Life & Times of Tim | Becky (voice) | 6 episodes |
| 2012 | House | Natalie Travers | Episode: "Better Half" |
| 2014 | Over the Garden Wall | Beatrice (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 2014–2016 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Pearl (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Togetherness | Michelle Pierson | 16 episodes |
| 2015 | Key & Peele | Fiance | Episode: "The Job Interview" |
| 2016 | Animals. | Linda (voice) | Episode: "Squirrels" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | New Zealand Film and TV Awards | Best Actress | Heavenly Creatures | Won |
| 2001 | Nokia New Zealand Film Awards | Best Actress | Snakeskin | Nominated |
| 2009 | Denver Film Critics Society | Best Acting Ensemble | Up in the Air | Nominated |
| 2009 | Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Ensemble | Up in the Air | Nominated |
| 2009 | New Zealand Film and TV Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film | Show of Hands | Nominated |
| 2009 | Hollywood Film Awards | Spotlight Award | Won | |
| 2011 | CinEuphoria Awards | Best Supporting Actress – International | Away We Go | Won |
| 2012 | Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Award | Hello I Must Be Going | Nominated |
| 2012 | San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Ensemble Performance | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Won |
| 2014 | RiverRun International Film Festival | Emerging Master | Won | |
| 2015 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series[34] | Togetherness | Nominated |
References
- 1 2 "Melanie Lynskey". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- 1 2 3 Maron, Marc (1 January 2015). "Episode 564 - Melanie Lynskey". WTF with Marc Maron. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ↑ Marx, Rebecca Flint. "Melanie Lynskey - Biography". AllMovie. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- ↑ Tobias, Scott (26 February 2009). "The New Cult Canon: Heavenly Creatures". The AV Club. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
- ↑ Corliss, Richard (21 November 1994). "A Heavenly Trip Toward Hell (1994)". Time. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
- ↑ James, Maris (4 September 2012). "The Playlist Profile: Melanie Lynskey Talks Hollywood, 'Hello I Must Be Going,' 'Heavenly Creatures' & More". Indiewire. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ↑ Stratton, David (18 May 2001). "Review: ‘Snakeskin’". Variety.
- ↑ "'Snakeskin' cruises into top film spot". The New Zealand Herald. 11 November 2001.
- ↑ Bobbin, Jay (25 October 2012). "'Two and a Half Men': Melanie Lynskey 'crazy about' Ashton Kutcher". Zap2it.
- ↑ "Great Southern dominates Qantas Awards" (Press release). Great Southern Film and Television. August 2009.
- ↑ Morris, Wesley (12 June 2009). "Away We Go review". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- ↑ MacNab, Geoffrey (8 September 2009). "The Informant! Tale of Corporate Crime review". The Independent. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
- ↑ Olsen, Mark (15 September 2009). "Melanie Lynskey, Toronto's Triple Threat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
- ↑ Arthur, Kate (24 July 2014). "The Actress Who Can Do Everything". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014.
- ↑ "Hollywood Fest Honors Julianne Moore". Hollywood Film Festival. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013.
- ↑ Pols, Mary (17 March 2011). "Win Win: Paul Giamatti Can't Lose". Time.
- ↑ Turan, Kenneth (6 September 2012). "Melanie Lynskey is highlight of 'Hello I Must Be Going'". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ "'Hello I Must Be Going' is perfect for actress Melanie Lynskey". The Seattle Times. 20 September 2012.
- ↑ Schoenbrun, Dan (18 October 2012). "Nominees Announced for IFP's 22nd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards" (Press release). IFP. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014.
- ↑ Smalley, Tavis (29 August 2012). "Actress Melanie Lynskey" (Video interview). Tavis Smiley (PBS). Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Puig, Claudia (24 July 2014). "'Happy Christmas' isn't exactly merry but Yule like it". USA Today.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Cain (8 October 2012). "Melanie Lynskey & Paul Schneider Say 'Goodbye To All That'". Indiewire.
- ↑ Barraclough, Leo (4 November 2013). "K5 Picks Up Directing Debut of ‘Big Bang Theory’ Star Simon Helberg". Variety.
- ↑ Drewett, Meg (17 July 2013). "HBO orders full series of Duplass brothers comedy 'Togetherness'". Entertainment Weekly.
- ↑ Lloyd, Robert (10 January 2015). "'Togetherness' shows real life's just funny that way". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Wellen, Brianna (14 January 2015). "A motley crew of cohabitants do not a gimmick make on Togetherness". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014.
- ↑ Barnes, Brooks (20 January 2012). "Another Independent Dream Comes True". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Celebrity Wedding: Melanie Lynskey and Jimmi Simpson". InStyle. 2009. Archived from the original on 10 June 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ "Melanie Lynskey Files For Divorce From Jimmi Simpson". Inquisitr.com. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ↑ "'Two & A Half Men' & 'Always Sunny' Stars -- Nicest Divorce EVER". TMZ. 23 May 2014.
- ↑ Halterman, J. (September 7, 2012). "Melanie Lynskey on her lesbian following and which female former co-star she’d want to kiss". After Ellen. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ↑ Breznican, Anthony (22 September 2012). "Melanie Lynskey makes sexy splash in 'Hello I Must Be Going'". Entertainment Weekly.
- ↑ Bisley, Alexander (10 March 2015). "Melanie Lynskey on Togetherness, realism and 'radical' nudity". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ↑ "Justified, Broad City, Empire, Mom, 24, Jane The Virgin, Transparent Lead the 2015 Critics Choice Nominations". Team TVLine. May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
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