Jaime Pressly | |
|---|---|
 Pressly in 2008 | |
| Born | Jaime Elizabeth Pressly (1977-07-30)July 30, 1977 (age 48) Kinston, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse | |
| Partner(s) | Eric Calvo (2005–2008) Hamzi Hijazi (2011–present) |
| Children | 3 |
| Signature | |
 | |
Jaime Elizabeth Pressly (born July 30, 1977)[1] is an American actress and model. Known for her role as Joy Turner on theNBC sitcomMy Name Is Earl (2005–2009), she won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and garnered nominations for aGolden Globe Award and aScreen Actors Guild Award. She has appeared in such films asCan't Hardly Wait (1998),Inferno (1999),Not Another Teen Movie (2001),The Karate Dog (2004), andI Love You, Man (2009). For her portrayal of Jill Kendall on theCBS sitcomMom (2014–2021), she was nominated for theCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Pressly was born inKinston, North Carolina,[1] the daughter of Brenda Sue (née Smith), a dance instructor, and James Liston Pressly, a car salesman. In 1992, she moved with her family toCosta Mesa, California, where she spent the first semester of her high school sophomore year.[2] She spent her childhood and early teenage years training as a gymnast, which led her to modeling jobs.[3] At age 14, she appeared on her first cover,Teen Magazine,[4] and became the spokesmodel for the International Cover Model Search.[5] At 15, she dropped out of school and went to Japan on a modeling contract.[2] She succeeded in having herselflegally emancipated from her parents at 15 so she could travel to Japan, as neither of her parents could make the trip.[2]
After making an uncredited appearance inBaywatch in 1995, followed by filming a cameo in the filmMercenary in 1996, Pressly starred as Violet, a vengeful seductress, in the 1997 direct-to-DVD filmPoison Ivy: The New Seduction, the third installment of thePoison Ivy series. After a small role in the teen cult classicCan't Hardly Wait, television appearances followed, with guest roles in the short-livedPush andMortal Kombat: Conquest. She went on to play one of the leads inJack & Jill, which aired for two seasons, from September 26, 1999, to April 15, 2001, onThe WB. Pressly headlined theindependent filmPoor White Trash (2000), playing scheming gold-digger Sandy Lake, and appeared in three 2001 theatrical releases aimed at a teenage audience, which despite varying degrees of success, helped her receive more exposure. The parody filmNot Another Teen Movie, most notably, featured her as Priscilla, a high schoolcheerleader oppositeChris Evans, while she took on the roles of a young wife in the sex comedyTomcats and that of a Southern love interest in the comedyJoe Dirt, oppositeDavid Spade.[6]
In 2002, Pressly starred as a college student trapped in a haunted island in the independent horror filmDemon Island. Felix Vasquez ofCinema Crazed regarded it as a guilty pleasure and stated: "[She] does what she can with her character and comes off as a rather charming character".[7] She next portrayed a crazed, motorcycle-riding criminal in the action thrillerTorque (2004), alongsideIce Cube. In a profile,The New Yorker, describing this phase of her career, asserted: "She is typically cast on the strength of her looks and her Southern sassiness, and she has had girlfriend roles in several forgettable teensploitation flicks".[8]
Between 2005 and 2009, Pressly playedJoy Turner, the pessimistic, cold-hearted, stubborn and vain ex-wife of a small-time thief, in theNBC sitcomMy Name Is Earl, which was a success with critics and audiences. She garnered nominations for aGolden Globe and aScreen Actors Guild Award, and in 2007, she won aPrimetime Emmy Award[9] forOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on the show. Pressly once called her role her "greatest release" and thanked creatorGreg Garcia for restoring her faith in the business. She remarked: "[The series] came at a time when I was questioning whether this was the path I wanted to continue following. I was tired of living out of my suitcase, coming and going all the time. I wanted a little normalcy in my life."[10]
During the early run ofMy Name Is Earl, Pressly produced and took on the role of a homicidal magazine editor in the independent filmDeath to the Supermodels (2005), a role she compared to that ofReese Witherspoon inElection.[8] In his review for the film, Scott Weinberg of DVDTalk.com, wrote: "Jaime Pressly is a funny, funny woman. To those of youMy Name Is Earl fans who are just now discovering the juicy talents of the perpetually sneering, eye-rolling, attitude machine known as Jaime Pressly, I'd recommend you check out her work in flicks likeRingmaster,Tomcats,Joe Dirt,Torque, andNot Another Teen Movie. Basically, if we were giving out an award for "the consistently best thing in a series of generally atrocious comedies," Jaime would be walking home with that prize, no sweat. Regardless of how bad the movie is [...] Jaime always seems like a kooky and kinetic cartoon character who somehow figured out how to become flesh & blood. Yes, she's sexy and all that, but Jaime Pressly is also funny, and that just amplifies all her other assets".[11]
InDOA: Dead or Alive (2006), a British-German martial arts action film based on a Japanesevideo game franchise of the same name, Pressly starred as one of four female fighters working together to uncover the secret that the organizer of an invitational martial arts contest is trying to hide. While the film was relatively successful on some markets, it only found a limited audience in North America.[12] In 2006, she also hosted the first annualVH1 Rock Honors,[13] and an episode ofSaturday Night Live, and guest-starred onMADtv, playingHillary Clinton in a parody ofMy Name Is Earl, "My Name Is Dubya", in whichGeorge W. Bush (Frank Caliendo) makes a list of all the bad things he has done in the past and rectifies them one by one.[14] She voiced a bird in the animated comedy filmHorton Hears a Who! (2008).[15]
InI Love You, Man (2009), Pressly starred oppositePaul Rudd andJason Segel, as the best friend of a bride-to-be and one half of a volatile married couple.[16] The film received critical acclaim and was a box office success, grossing US$92 million worldwide.[17][18]Rolling Stone found her "terrific" in her role, asserting: "Her battles with [her on-screen husband] have genuine comic bite".[19]
TheABC Family television filmBeauty & the Briefcase (2010), co-starringHilary Duff, featured Pressly as a primary editor atCosmopolitan magazine. The premiere received 2.4 million viewers attracting a strong female audience that drove the network to an all-time high in viewers.[20]Smoke Screen, another 2010 television film, saw her star as a reporter finding herself in the middle of a murder investigation when she wakes up next to a dead body. In 2010, Pressly also guest-starred in two episodes of theCBS comedyRules of Engagement, as a possible surrogate mother for Jeff and Audrey (Patrick Warburton andMegyn Price).[21]
In6 Month Rule (2011), an independent film released for limited theaters and digital markets,[22] Pressly played what was described as a "harridan of an ex-fiancée" by theNew York Times.[23] She appeared in theinteractive educationalchildren's musical comedyThe Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure (2012), as a flamenco dancer riding a giant flying sombrero. Budgeted at US$20 million, the film only made US$445,000 in more than 2,000 screens during its opening weekend.[24] Pressly next had regular roles in two short-lived series. TheFox sitcomI Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011–2012) saw her portray a mother fearing her daughter is turning into the kind of girl who tormented her in high school, while theTV Land comedyJennifer Falls (2014) featured her as a single mother, who after being fired from a high-paying job, becomes a waitress in her brother's bar.[25]
Pressly obtained leading roles in three 2014 film releases. InA Haunted House 2, Pressly starred as a mother of two and one half of an interracial couple, alongsideMarlon Wayans. She had known Wayans for 15 years prior filming and the project marked the first time they worked together. Describing the process, she said: "It was a match made in heaven. It really was. We're both high energy, and we both like to do something new every take, and when you do comedy like this, where you get to improv the majority of the time, it's about trying to one-up each other, and that makes for a really great comedy".[26] The film was panned by critics, but was a decent box office success.[27] She starred opposite singerRobin Thicke in the romantic comedyMaking the Rules, which was filmed in 2012.[28]Finders Keepers, a television horror film, saw Pressly play a divorced mother whose life is thrown into turmoil when her young daughter becomes obsessed with an evil doll left behind by the previous owners.[29]
From 2014 to 2021, Pressly portrayed Jill Kendall, a wealthy socialite and alcoholic, in theCBS sitcomMom.[30]Mom was met with widespread critical acclaim and ran for eight seasons.[31] Created and executive produced byChuck Lorre, the show followed a group of women recovering from addiction.[31] On August 4, 2022,Fox announced that Pressly had joined the cast of the sitcomWelcome to Flatch as a series regular for the second season.[32]
In 2003, Pressly launched a lingerie line, J'aime by Jaime Pressly, and expanded it to clothing and sleepwear.[33][34] In 2007,People magazine called her spring/summer clothing line a "sophisticated and star-studded fashion show" and "one of the biggest shows of L.A. Fashion Week."[35] In spring 2008, she launched a second clothing line, J'aime Collection.[36] "I've always had an interest in design, and I have always loved creating things," Pressly said in an interview withRedbook in 2008.[36] She ended her clothing lines in September 2008.[37]
In a 2008 interview withRedbook magazine, Pressly credited her success for "lifelong willingness to defy convention."[36]
Pressly's appearance has often been the subject of media attention.[38] She has appeared on several lists for world's most beautiful or sexiest women. Her changing looks and style have received noteworthy praise from periodicals such asInStyle.[39][40]
In 2000, she became a spokesmodel forLiz Claiborne Cosmetics and advertised the company's fragrance "Lucky You". In 2008, she appeared in an infomercial forSusan Lucci's "Youthful Essence" personal microdermabrasion kit, and an advertisement forAxe in 2010.[41] She has graced the covers of numerous magazines, includingInStyle Weddings,Ocean Drive,Health,Esquire,Redbook,Shape,Stuff,Maxim andPlayboy.[citation needed]
Pressly has revealed in interviews that she briefly struggled withbulimia as a teenager.[6]
In 2005, she began dating Eric Calvo. They were friends for more than nine years prior. On May 11, 2007, inCedars-Sinai Medical Center, Pressly gave birth to their son.[42] In November 2008, the couple announced their separation.[43]
Nine months later, in July 2009, Pressly announced her engagement to entertainment lawyer Simran Singh.[44] They married on September 26, 2009, at theDick Clark estate, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.[45] On January 21, 2011, Pressly filed for divorce from Singh, citing irreconcilable differences.[46][47] The divorce was finalized in November 2011.[48]
In October 2017, Pressly gave birth to twin sons with her longtime boyfriend Hamzi Hijazi.[49]
On January 5, 2011, two weeks before filing for divorce, Pressly was arrested inSanta Monica, California, for suspicion ofdriving under the influence.[50] She eventually pleaded no contest and received three years of informal probation.[50]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Mercenary | Pre-teen American Girl | |
| 1997 | Poison Ivy: The New Seduction | Violet | |
| The Journey: Absolution | Allison | ||
| Against the Law | Sally | ||
| 1998 | Can't Hardly Wait | Beth | Credited as Jamie Pressly |
| Ringmaster | Angel Zorzak | ||
| 1999 | Inferno | Dottie Matthews | |
| 2000 | 100 Girls | Cynthia | |
| Poor White Trash | Sandy Lake | ||
| 2001 | Not Another Teen Movie | Priscilla | |
| Ticker | Claire Manning | ||
| Joe Dirt | Jill | ||
| Tomcats | Tricia | ||
| 2002 | Demon Island | Tina | |
| 2004 | Torque | China | |
| 2005 | Death to the Supermodels | Tiffany Courtney | Also as producer |
| 2006 | Bachelor Party Vegas | Herself | |
| DOA: Dead or Alive | Tina Armstrong | ||
| 2008 | Horton Hears a Who! | Mrs. Quilligan | Voice |
| 2009 | I Love You, Man | Denise McLean | |
| 2011 | 6 Month Rule | Claire | |
| 2012 | The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure | Lola Sombrero | |
| 2014 | A Haunted House 2 | Megan | |
| Making the Rules | Abby | Also as executive producer | |
| 2017 | Austin Found | Crystal Clemens | |
| 2023 | The Re-Education of Molly Singer | Brenda |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Baywatch | Beach Girl | Episode: "Promised Land" |
| 1998 | Push | Nikki Lang | Main cast |
| Silk Stalkings | Kara Delaney | Episode: "Teacher's Pet" | |
| Night Man | Yvette | Episode: "Double Vision" | |
| 1998–99 | Mortal Kombat: Conquest | Mika | 3 episodes |
| 1999–2001 | Jack & Jill | Audrey Griffin | Main cast |
| 2000 | Best Actress | Karen Kroll | TV movie |
| 2001 | Going to California | Kylie Guartz | Episode: "This Year's Model" |
| 2002 | Charmed | Mylie | Episode: "A Witch's Tail, Part 1" |
| The Twilight Zone | Cindy | Episode: "Sensuous Cindy" | |
| The Johnny Chronicles | Charlie | TV movie | |
| 2003 | Fastlane | Sara Matthews | Episode: "Strap On" |
| Becker | Grace | Episode: "Sister Spoils the Turkey" | |
| 2004 | Happy Family | Alex | Recurring |
| The Karate Dog | Ashley Wilkenson | TV movie | |
| Evel Knievel | Linda Bork | ||
| 2005 | Entourage | Herself | Episode: "My Maserati Does 185" |
| 2005–09 | My Name Is Earl | Joy Turner | Main cast (96 episodes) |
| 2006 | Mad TV | Herself | Episode: "11.13" |
| Las Vegas | Kerry Kowalski | Episode: "Coyote Ugly" | |
| Saturday Night Live | Herself/host | Episode: "Jaime Pressly/Corrine Bailey Rae" | |
| 2009 | Rex | Jaime | TV movie |
| 2010 | Beauty & the Briefcase | Kate White | |
| Rules of Engagement[51] | Pam Milton | 2 episodes | |
| Smoke Screen | Britt Shelley | TV movie | |
| Livin' on a Prayer | Steph | ||
| 2011–13 | Raising Hope | Donna | 3 episodes |
| 2011–12 | I Hate My Teenage Daughter | Annie Watson | Main cast (13 episodes) |
| 2012 | Bad Girls | Melinda | TV movie |
| The Greatest Footie Ads Ever | Deneice | ||
| 2013 | Two and a Half Men | Tammy | 2 episodes |
| Phineas and Ferb | Rosie | Voice, Episode: "Mind Share" | |
| Melissa & Joey | Meredith | Episode: "A New Kind of Christmas"[52] | |
| 2014 | Hollywood Game Night | Herself | Episode: "50 Charades of Grey" |
| RuPaul's Drag Race | Herself / Guest Judge | Episode: "Drag Queens of Comedy" | |
| Hot in Cleveland | Kelly | Episode: "Surprise!" | |
| Jennifer Falls | Jennifer Doyle | Main cast | |
| Finders Keepers | Alyson Simon | TV movie | |
| 2014–21 | Mom | Jill Kendall | 127 episodes; Recurring role (season 2); Main cast (season 3–8) |
| 2017 | The Guest Book | Christy | Episode: "Story Four" |
| 2018 | BoJack Horseman | Sadie | 2 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | Welcome to Flatch | Barb Flatch | Main cast; 24 episodes |
| 2023 | Play-Doh Squished | Herself / Guest Judge | Episode: "Candy Store" |
| 2023 | The Conners | Tire Shop Manager | Episode: "Adding Insult to Injury" |
| 2025 | Elsbeth | Tiff Giles | Episode: "Glamazons" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Saints Row 2 | Jessica Parish | Voice |
| Year | Artist | Song | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Dave Matthews Band | The Space Between | |
| 2002 | Aerosmith | Girls of Summer | Woman |
| Marilyn Manson | Tainted Love | Priscilla | |
| 2003 | Youngbloodz | Lean Low | |
| 2010 | Jaron Lowenstein | Pray For You | |
| 2013 | Michael Bublé | It's a Beautiful Day | Girlfriend |
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | MTV Movie & TV Awards | Best Line in a Movie("Oh, it's already been broughten!") | Not Another Teen Movie | Nominated |
| 2002 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Breakout Performance – Film | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Gold Derby Awards | TV Breakthrough Performer of the Year | N/a | Nominated |
| TV Comedy Series Supporting Actress of the Year | My Name Is Earl | Won | ||
| Online Film & Television Association | Best Supporting Actress in a Television Comedy Series | Won | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Television Actress | Nominated | ||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Won | |||
| Gold Derby Awards | TV Comedy Series Supporting Actress of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Monte-Carlo Television Festival | Outstanding Actress – Comedy Series | Won | ||
| Online Film & Television Association | Best Supporting Actress in a Television Comedy Series | Won | ||
| Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or TV Film | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Television Actress – Comedy | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Denver Film Critics Society | Best Acting Ensemble | I Love You, Man | Nominated |
| 2021 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Television Comedy Series Supporting Actress | Mom | Nominated |
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