Jane Curtin | |
|---|---|
 Curtin in 1989 | |
| Born | Jane Therese Curtin (1947-09-06)September 6, 1947 (age 78) Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Elizabeth Seton College (AA) Northeastern University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1971–present |
| Known for | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Valerie Curtin (cousin) |
Jane Therese Curtin (born September 6, 1947)[1] is an American actress and comedian.
First coming to prominence as an original cast member on the hit TV comedy seriesSaturday Night Live in 1975, she went on to win back-to-backEmmy Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series on the 1980s sitcomKate & Allie portraying the role of Allison "Allie" Lowell. Curtin later starred in the hit series3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001), playing the role ofDr. Mary Albright.
Curtin has also appeared in many movie roles, includingCharlene inThe Librarian series of movies (2004–2008). She reprised one of herSaturday Night Live characters, Prymaat (Clorhone) Conehead, in the 1993 filmConeheads. She is sometimes referred to as the "Queen ofDeadpan".[2]The Philadelphia Inquirer once called her a "refreshing drop of acid".[3] She was included on a 1986 list of the "Top Prime Time Actors and Actresses of All Time".[4]
Jane Therese Curtin was born inCambridge, Massachusetts,[5] third of four children born to Mary Constance (née Farrell; April 3, 1914 - January 5, 2006) and John Joseph Curtin (September 2, 1907 - May 1, 1991), who owned an insurance agency.[6] Her maternal ancestry is Irish,[7] and her paternal, Curtin, ancestry is also Irish, originally from Newmarket-on-Fergus,County Clare. Curtin has one younger brother, Larry Curtin, who lives in South Florida;[8] and an oldest brother, John J. "Jack" Curtin (d. September 20, 2008).[9] Her older sister, Virginia (Ginny), died on April 18, 2001. Curtin is a paternal cousin of actress and writerValerie Curtin. Her paternal uncle was the radio personality Joseph Curtin.
She was raised Roman Catholic, and grew up inWellesley, Massachusetts. She graduated fromNewton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart inNewton in 1965. Curtin earned an associate degree fromElizabeth Seton Junior College in New York City, class of 1967.[10] She then attendedNortheastern University from 1967 to 1968 before dropping out of college to pursue a career in comedy.[5]
She has served as a U.S. Committee National Ambassador forUNICEF. In 1968, Curtin decided to pursue comedy as a career and dropped out of college. She joined a comedy group, The Proposition, and performed with them until 1972. She starred inPretzels, an off-Broadway play written by Curtin,John Forster,Judith Kahan, andFred Grandy, in 1974.
One of the originalNot Ready for Prime Time Players ofNBC'sSaturday Night Live (1975), Curtin remained on the show through the 1979–1980 season. Guest hostEric Idle said that Curtin was "very much a 'Let's come in, let's know our lines, let's do it properly, and go' ... She was very sensible, very focused", and disliked the drug culture in which many of the cast participated. Show writerAl Franken stated that she "was so steady. Had a really strong moral center, and as such was disgusted by much of the show and the people around it".[11]
On the show, and mirroring her own low-key real life, she frequently playedstraight-woman characters, often as afoil toJohn Belushi andGilda Radner. Curtin anchoredSNL's "Weekend Update" segment from 1976 to 1977, paired withDan Aykroyd from 1977 to 1978 andBill Murray from 1978 to 1980. On occasional "Weekend Update" segments, her newscaster character served as a foil to Belushi, who often gave a rambling and out-of-control "commentary" on events of the day. During these sketches, she timidly tried to get Belushi to come to the point, which would only make him angrier. Curtin's newscaster also introduced baseball expertChico Escuela (Garrett Morris), a heavily accentedDominican, who started his sketches by saying, "Thank you,Hane", before repeating his famous catchphrase, "Baseball been bery, bery good to me!" She also introducedRoseanne Roseannadanna (Radner) and would listen in exasperated silence at Roseannadanna's disjointed commentary before ultimately cutting her off. In addition, she sang in the "Chevy's Girls" sketch in season two, episode two, alongsideLaraine Newman and Radner, and sang again with Newman and Radner as a trio backing up Morris as he sang the song "Three Little Words" for the cold opening of the Season 4 premier episode.
In a parody of the "Point-Counterpoint" segment of the news program60 Minutes, Curtin delivered a controlled liberal viewpoint (à laShana Alexander) vs. Aykroyd, who (in the manner ofJames J. Kilpatrick) epitomized theright-wing view, albeit with an over-the-top "attack" journalist slant. Curtin presented theliberal "Point" portion first. Then Aykroyd presented the "Counterpoint" portion, sometimes beginning with the statement, "Jane, you ignorantslut," to which she replied, "Dan, you pompous ass." The recurring segment has been discussed in an article on "How to Respectfully Disagree" inThe Chronicle of Higher Education.[12]
Curtin is also well known for her role in theConehead sketches as Prymaat (wife/mother of the Conehead family), and as Enid Loopner (in sketches with Radner and Murray). She is one of many cast members who appear in the retrospective compilation DVDThe Women of SNL (2010, 97 minutes).[13]
Unlike many of her fellowSNL cast members who ventured successfully into film, Curtin chose to stay mainly in television, with a few sporadic film appearances. To date, she has starred in two long-running television sitcoms. First, inKate & Allie (1984–89), withSusan Saint James, she played a single mother named "Allie Lowell" and twice won the Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
FollowingKate & Allie, Curtin co-starred on the 1990 sitcomWorking It Out withStephen Collins. The series was created byBill Persky, a writer, director, and producer ofKate & Allie, but it was not successful and was cancelled after 13 episodes. Later, she was part of the cast of3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001) playing a human,Dr. Mary Albright, opposite the alien family composed ofJohn Lithgow,Kristen Johnston,French Stewart, andJoseph Gordon-Levitt. As withSNL, her mostly strait-laced character was often confounded by the zany and whimsical antics of the Solomon family.
In 1997, Curtin narrated two episodes of the documentary television seriesUnderstanding,[14] and she has done voice work forRecess andCyberchase. She guest starred onSesame Street in 1985.
Curtin also starred withFred Savage in theABC sitcomCrumbs, which debuted in January 2006 and was cancelled in May of that year. She also guest-starred onGary Unmarried as Connie, Allison's mother.[15] In 2012, she joinedUnforgettable as Dr. Joanne Webster, a gifted but crustymedical examiner; in 2014, she occasionally reprised her role as the first Guardian onThe Librarians. In 2020, she had a co-starring role as a quirky mother-in-law on the ABC sitcomUnited We Fall.
In 1980, Curtin starred with Susan Saint James and Jessica Lange in the moderate hitHow to Beat the High Cost of Living. In 1993, Curtin and Dan Aykroyd were reunited inConeheads, a full-length motion picture based on their popularSNL characters. They also appeared together as the voices of a pair of wasps in the filmAntz. In 2009, she playedPaul Rudd andAndy Samberg's mother inI Love You, Man. In 2013, she took a small role inThe Heat as Mrs. Mullins, the mother of Detective Mullins. Curtin played Moira, the Headmistress of the Motherland, in Disney'sGodmothered.[16]
Curtin has also performed on Broadway on occasion. She first appeared on theGreat White Way as Miss Proserpine Garnett in the playCandida in 1981. She later went on to be a replacement actress in two other plays,Love Letters andNoises Off, and was in the 2002 revival ofOur Town, which received huge press attention asPaul Newman returned to the Broadway stage after several decades away.
She also has narrated several audio books, includingCarl Hiaasen's novelNature Girl.
On May 7, 2010, Curtin placed second in theJeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational, winning $250,000 for the U.S. Fund forUNICEF.Michael McKean won the tournament, whileCheech Marin came in third.
She presentedEmmy Awards in 1984, 1987, and 1998; the 11th AnnualAmerican Comedy Awards in 1997; and the 54th AnnualGolden Globe Awards in 1997.[17]
Curtin has guest hosted several episodes ofSelected Shorts produced bySymphony Space and distributed byPublic Radio International.
She married television producer Patrick Francis Lynch on April 2, 1975; they have one daughter.[17] They lived inSharon, Connecticut. Patrick died in April 2025.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Rabbit Test | Pashima | ref. film credits |
| 1979 | Mr. Mike's Mondo Video | Herself/Cameo | |
| 1980 | How to Beat the High Cost of Living | Elaine | |
| 1987 | O.C. and Stiggs | Elinore Schwab | |
| 1988 | Suspicion | Lina McLaidlaw | TV movie |
| 1993 | Coneheads | Prymatt Conehead/Mary Margaret DeCicco | |
| 1998 | Antz | Muffy | Voice Only |
| 2003 | Recess: All Growed Down | Additional Voices | Video |
| 2004 | Geraldine's Fortune | Geraldine Liddle | |
| 2005 | Brooklyn Lobster | Maureen Giorgio | |
| 2006 | The Shaggy Dog | Judge Claire Whittaker | |
| 2009 | I Love You, Man | Joyce Klaven | |
| 2011 | I Don't Know How She Does It | Marla Reddy | |
| 2013 | The Heat | Mrs. Mullins | |
| 2018 | The Spy Who Dumped Me | Carol Freeman | |
| Can You Ever Forgive Me? | Marjorie | ||
| 2019 | Ode to Joy | Aunt Sylvia | |
| 2020 | Godmothered | Moira | |
| 2021 | Queen Bees | Janet | |
| 2023 | Jules | Joyce |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–1980; 2015 | Saturday Night Live | Various | Cast member (1975–1980) and a guest appearance onSNL 40th Anniversary Special 108 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program |
| 1977 | The Love Boat | Regina Parker | Episode: "The Captain's Captain/Romance Roulette/Hounded (A Dog's Life)" |
| What Really Happened to the Class of '65? | Ivy | Episode: "Class Hustler" | |
| 1981 | Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine, & Gilda | Herself | TV movie |
| 1982 | Candida | Prossie | |
| Divorce Wars: A Love Story | Vickey Sturgess | ||
| 1983 | The Coneheads | Prymaat (voice) | TV short |
| 1984 | Bedrooms | Laura | TV movie |
| 1984–1989 | Kate & Allie | Allison 'Allie' Lowell | 122 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series(1984–1985) Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Performer(1984–1985) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series |
| 1988 | American Playhouse | Lina McLaidlaw | Episode: "Suspicion" |
| 1988 | Maybe Baby | Julia Gilbert | TV movie |
| 1990 | Common Ground | Alice McGoff | |
| Working It Out | Sarah Marshall | 13 episodes | |
| 1994 | Dave's World | Anne | Episode: "Lost Weekend" |
| 1995 | Tad | Mary Todd Lincoln | TV movie |
| Mystery Dance | Susan Baker | Episode: "1.1" | |
| 1996–2001 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Dr. Mary Albright | 137 episodes Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |
| 1998 | Hercules | Hippolyte (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the Girdle of Hippolyte" |
| Recess | Mrs. Clemperer (voice) | Episode: "Wild Child" | |
| 2000 | Catch a Falling Star | Fran | TV movie |
| 2003 | Cyberchase | Lady Ada Byron Lovelace (voice) | Episode: "Hugs and Witches" |
| Our Town | Mrs. Webb | TV movie Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | |
| 2004 | The Librarian: Quest for the Spear | Charlene | TV movie |
| 2006 | Crumbs | Suzanne Crumb | 13 episodes |
| The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines | Charlene | TV movie | |
| 2007 | Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office | Joy | |
| 2008 | In the Motherhood | Mom | Episode: "Mother Dearest" |
| The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice | Charlene | TV movie | |
| 2008–2009 | Gary Unmarried | Connie | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Sherri | Margo/Paula's Mom | Episode: "Birth" |
| 2010 | The Women of SNL | Various/Prymaat Conehead/Weekend Update | TV movie; archive footage |
| Rex Is Not Your Lawyer | Unknown | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2011 | The Oprah Winfrey Show | Herself (guest) | Episode: "Saturday Night Live Class Reunion" |
| 2012–2014 | Unforgettable | Joanne Webster | 34 episodes |
| 2014–2017 | The Librarians | Charlene | 5 episodes |
| 2015 | The Good Wife | Judge Farley | Episode: "Bond" |
| 2017 | Broad City | Margo | Episode: "Witches" |
| 2019–2021 | The Good Fight | Judge Pamela Farley | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | United We Fall | Sandy Ryan | 8 episodes |
| 2022 | The Conners | Doris Goldufski | Episode: "The Dog Days of Christmas" |
| 2023 | Bupkis | Marie LaRocca | Episode: "Do as I Say, Not as I do" |
| 2025 | The Residence | Nan Cox, mother-in-law to the POTUS |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Candida | Proserpine Garnett | |
| 1989 | Love Letters | Melissa Gardner | Replacement |
| 2002 | Noises Off | Dotty Otley | |
| Our Town | Mrs. Webb |
BORN: Sept. 6, 1947, in Cambridge, Mass.
A quietly devastating performer amid all the scene-stealers onSaturday Night Live, Curtin was most memorable as the deadpan, long-suffering anchor on the show's 'news updates'. InKate and Allie, she is demonstrating another hugely appealing facet of her remarkably versatile repertoire.
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Weekend Update anchor 1976–1977 | Succeeded by Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin |
| Preceded by Jane Curtin | Weekend Update anchor(withDan Aykroyd) 1977–1978 | Succeeded by Jane Curtin andBill Murray |
| Preceded by Jane Curtin andDan Aykroyd | Weekend Update anchor(withBill Murray) 1978–1980 | Succeeded by |