Jane Krakowski | |
|---|---|
 Krakowski in June 2023 | |
| Born | Jane Krajkowski (1968-10-11)October 11, 1968 (age 57) Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education | Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BFA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Known for | 30 Rock Ally McBeal Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt |
| Partner | Robert Godley (2009–2013) |
| Children | 1 |
Jane Krakowski (/krəˈkaʊski/;née Krajkowski; born October 11, 1968) is an American actress and singer.[1][2] She starred asJenna Maroney in theNBC satirical comedy series30 Rock (2006–13, 2020), for which she received fourPrimetime Emmy Award nominations forOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Krakowski's other television roles have included Elaine Vassal in theFox legal comedy-drama seriesAlly McBeal (1997–2002) andJacqueline White in theNetflix comedy seriesUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2020). For the latter, she received anotherPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination.
A trained singer, Krakowski has also worked on the stage. At age 18, she was chosen for the role ofDinah the Dining Car in theBroadway production ofStarlight Express (1987). She has since won theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for the revival ofNine (2003). Other Tony-nominated roles includeGrand Hotel (1989) andShe Loves Me (2016). She received theLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in theWest End revival ofGuys and Dolls (2005).[3] In film role, she has appeared as Cousin Vicki Johnson inNational Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and asBetty Rubble inThe Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000).
Jane Krakowski was born and raised inParsippany, New Jersey on October 11, 1968,[4] the daughter of Ed Krajkowski, a chemical engineer, and Barbara (née Benoit), a college theater instructor and producing artistic director for the Women's Theater Company.[5][6] She has an older brother.[7] Krakowski's father's family isPolish,[8] and while she speaks very little Polish, her father and paternal grandparents are fluent.[9]
Krakowski grew up immersed in the local theater scene as a result of her parents' involvement, saying in one interview: "Instead of hiring baby sitters, they brought me along with them."[5] She tookballet lessons at age four, but later stopped because she had the wrong body shape, instead moving more towardsBroadway dancing.[7] She attendedParsippany High School[10] and then theProfessional Children's School inNew York City andMason Gross School of the Arts atRutgers University, New Brunswick.[11][12]
Following a 1981 television commercial at age 12 for the video gameSolar Fox, Krakowski's first major role and feature film debut came at the age of 14, when she played Cousin Vicki Johnson in the 1983 road comedyNational Lampoon's Vacation. Krakowski was originally cast in the 1983horror filmSleepaway Camp, but dropped out just before filming began because she felt her character Judy's death scene with acurling iron was too violent. In 1984, she began appearing as Theresa Rebecca "T.R." Kendall in theNBC soap operaSearch for Tomorrow, part of theNBC Daytime programming block; she continued the role until the show ended in 1986 and was nominated forDaytime Emmy Awards in 1986 and 1987.[citation needed] She also appeared in several episodes of the soap operaAnother World in 1989.
At age 18, Krakowski originated the role of Dinah the Dining Car in the 1987Broadway production ofStarlight Express. She appeared in the 1989 BroadwaymusicalGrand Hotel as the typist and would-be film star Flaemmchen, for which she was nominated for aTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the44th Tony Awards.[13] Her solo number, "I Want to Go to Hollywood," is included on the original cast recording. In 1995, she played the ditzy flight attendant April in theRoundabout Theater Company's revival ofCompany, followed by a starring role alongsideSarah Jessica Parker in the 1996 Broadway revival ofOnce Upon a Mattress.
From 1997 to 2002, Krakowski played office assistant Elaine Vassal in theFox comedy-drama seriesAlly McBeal; she received a nomination for theGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 56th Golden Globe Awards in 1999.[14] She portrayedBetty Rubble in the 2000 filmThe Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. She also appeared in the music video forThe Chicks's song "Goodbye Earl" in 2000,[15] and in a recurring role on the drama seriesEverwood in 2003.
At the 2000American Comedy Awards, Krakowski won rave reviews when she performed a sexually charged musical tribute and love letter toMicrosoft chairmanBill Gates. The following year, Krakowski appeared on the albumBroadway Cares: Home for the Holidays, singing the song "Santa Baby". She also collaborated withJim Brickman on the song "You" for Brickman's 2002 albumLove Songs & Lullabies;[14] the song became a hit onadult contemporary radio stations. Brickman and Krakowski later recorded a Christmas-themed alternate version of the song.
In 2003, she starred as Carla Albanese in the Broadway revival ofNine,[16] for which she won theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the57th Tony Awards.[14] Krakowski's performance was noted for a "breathtaking" aerial stunt she performed during the number "A Call from the Vatican".[17] In 2005, Krakowski performed her owncabaret show,Better When It's Banned, atLincoln Center,[18] and starred as Miss Adelaide inMichael Grandage'sWest End revival ofGuys and Dolls at London'sPiccadilly Theatre, for which she received the2006 Laurence Olivier Award forBest Actress in a Musical.[14]
From 2006 to 2013, Krakowski played the role ofJenna Maroney, a clueless and narcissistic actress, on theTina Fey-createdNBC comedy series30 Rock. She was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award forOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in2009,2010,2011, and2013.[19][20]
Between 2007 and 2009, Krakowski performed in a workshop production of the musicalXanadu;[21] aNew York City Center production ofDamn Yankees alongsideSean Hayes andCheyenne Jackson;[22] and a staged reading atPlaywrights Horizons of the musicalMrs. Sharp.
Following30 Rock's conclusion, Krakowski joined the cast of Fey's follow-up series, theNetflix comedy seriesUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, in the role of the condescending socialiteJacqueline White.Schmidt ran from 2015 to 2020 and garnered Krakowski her fifth Primetime Emmy Award nomination at the67th Primetime Emmy Awards.[23]
Krakowski starred as Ilona Ritter in theRoundabout Theatre Company's 2016 Broadway revival ofJerry Bock's andSheldon Harnick'sShe Loves Me.[24] For her performance, Krakowski won the 2016Fred and Adele Astaire Award as Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show; theOuter Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical; and theDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. She was also nominated for the Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Musical at the70th Tony Awards.[25]
Since 2021, Krakowski has hosted a Fox reboot of the 1950sgame showName That Tune, with formerAmerican Idol judgeRandy Jackson as bandleader.[26][27] Krakowski has said, "One of the reasons I wanted to doName That Tune was to perform again in front of a live audience."[28][29]
From 2021 to 2023, Krakowski portrayed The Countess/Bobbie Flanagan in themusicalcomedy television seriesSchmigadoon!, created byCinco Paul and Ken Daurio.
In November 2021, Krakowski contracted a breakthrough case ofCOVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from NBC'sAnnie Live!, where she was to play Lily St. Regis.[30]
From October 2025 to January 2026, she is portraying the role ofMary Todd Lincoln in the historical farceOh, Mary!, written and originated byCole Escola.[31]
Krakowski became engaged toRobert Godley in 2009. They have a son,[32] born in April 2011.[33] The couple separated in 2013.[34]
In January 2021, theDaily Mail alleged that Krakowski had a nine-month relationship withMike Lindell, the inventor ofMy Pillow, between late 2019 and the summer of 2020. Both Krakowski and Lindell denied the allegation, and Lindell sued theDaily Mail for libel.[35][36][37][38][39] The case was dismissed on the grounds that a "reasonable person" would not view anything in theDaily Mail article as defamatory.[40]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | National Lampoon's Vacation | Cousin Vicki Johnson | |
| 1987 | Fatal Attraction | Christine | |
| 1991 | Stepping Out | Lynne | |
| 1996 | Mrs. Winterbourne | Christine | |
| 1997 | Hudson River Blues | Diane | |
| 1998 | Dance With Me | Patricia Black | |
| 1999 | Go | Irene Halverson | |
| 2000 | The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas | Betty O'Shale | |
| 2002 | Ice Age | Rachel the Sloth | Voice[41] |
| 2003 | Marci X | Lauren Farb | |
| When Zachary Beaver Came to Town | Heather Wilson | ||
| 2004 | Alfie | Dorie | |
| 2005 | Pretty Persuasion | Emily Klein | |
| 2006 | Open Season | Giselle | Voice[41] |
| 2007 | Surf's Up | Sheila Limberfin | Voice, deleted scenes[citation needed] |
| 2008 | The Rocker | Carol | |
| Kit Kittredge: An American Girl | Miss May Dooley | ||
| Open Season 2 | Giselle | Voice[41] | |
| 2009 | Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant | Corma Limbs | |
| 2014 | Adult Beginners | Miss Jenn | |
| Big Stone Gap | Sweet Sue Tinsley | ||
| 2015 | Pixels | First Lady Jane Cooper | |
| 2018 | Henchmen | Jane | Voice[41] |
| 2020 | The Willoughbys | Mother Willoughby | Voice[41] |
| 2021 | My Little Pony: A New Generation | Queen Haven | Voice[41] |
| 2023 | Your Christmas or Mine 2 | Diane | |
| TBA | The Man with the Bag | Completed[42] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | ABC Weekend Special | Lizzie Dodge | Episode: "Horatio Alger Updated: Frank and Fearless" |
| 1984–1986 | Search for Tomorrow | Theresa Rebecca "T.R." Kendall | Main cast (107 episodes) |
| 1985 | No Big Deal | Margaret | Television film |
| 1989 | Another World | Tonya | 9 episodes |
| When We Were Young | Linda Rosen | Television film | |
| 1991 | Against the Law | Colleen Hanrahan | Episode: "Miss Mass" |
| Women and Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules | Melba | Television film | |
| 1993 | Alex Haley's Queen | Jane Jackson | 2 episodes |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Dale Winter | Episode: "Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues" | |
| 1994 | Due South | Catherine Burns | Episode: "An Invitation to Romance" |
| 1996 | Early Edition | Dr. Handleman | Episode: "Baby" |
| 1997–2002 | Ally McBeal | Elaine Vassal | Main cast (112 episodes) |
| 1998–1999 | Mad TV | Herself | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Great Performances | Herself | Episode: "TheRodgers & Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty" |
| Snoops | Herself | Episode: "Higher Calling" | |
| 2000–2005 | CatDog | Sasquatch / Pussycat Catfield | Voice, 2 episodes[41] |
| 2002 | Just a Walk in the Park | Rachel Morgan | Television film |
| 2002–2003 | Everwood | Dr. Gretchen Trott | 2 episodes |
| 2002–2004 | Rocket Power | Breezy | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Emma Spevak | Episode: "Bound" |
| Taste | Samantha Neal | Television pilot | |
| Hack | Mrs. Smith | Episode: "One for My Baby" | |
| A Christmas Carol | Ghost of Christmas Past / Lamplighter | Television film | |
| 2005 | Mom at Sixteen | Donna Cooper | Television film |
| 2006 | Sex, Love, Power, and Politics | Sloan | Television pilot |
| 2006–2013 | 30 Rock | Jenna Maroney | Main cast (138 episodes) |
| 2008 | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Claire's Mom | Television film |
| 2013 | The Simpsons | Zhenya | Voice, episode: "The Fabulous Faker Boy" |
| 2014 | American Dad! | Charlotte | Voice, episode: "Roger Passes the Bar" |
| Dead Boss | Helen Stephens | Television pilot | |
| 2014–2017 | Modern Family | Dr. Donna Duncan | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Younger | Annabelle Bancroft | Episode: "Shedonism"[43][44] |
| Saturday Night Live | Jenna Maroney | Episode: "Tracy Morgan/Demi Lovato" | |
| 2015–2019 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Jacqueline White | Main cast (51 episodes) |
| 2016 | Robot Chicken | Various | Episode: "Yogurt in a Bag" |
| She Loves Me | Ilona Ritter | Television film | |
| 2017 | Sofia the First | Sizzle | Voice, episode: "The Royal Dragon" |
| Difficult People | Lizzie McCormick | Episode: "Cindarestylox" | |
| BoJack Horseman | Honey Sugarman | Voice, episode: "The Old Sugarman Place" | |
| Tangled: The Series | Willow | Voice, episode: "The Way of the Willow"[41] | |
| A Christmas Story Live! | Miss Shields | Television special | |
| 2017–2020 | At Home with Amy Sedaris | Herself / Beverly | 2 episodes |
| Match Game | Herself (panelist) | 11 episodes[45] | |
| 2018 | Drunk History | Sheralee | Episode: "Sex" |
| 2019 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Spokesperson | Episode: "June 2, 2019" |
| 2019–2021 | Dickinson | Emily Norcross Dickinson | Main cast (30 episodes) |
| 2020 | AJ and the Queen | Beth Barnes Beagle | Episode: "Fort Worth" |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm | Veronica | Episode: "The Ugly Section" | |
| Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend | Jacqueline White | Television film | |
| 30 Rock: A One-Time Special | Jenna Maroney | Television special | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars | Herself | Episode: "Stand-Up Smackdown" | |
| 2021–2022 | Ziwe | Mom / Jane | 2 episodes |
| 2021–2023 | Schmigadoon! | The Countess / Bobbie Flanagan | Main cast (10 episodes)[46] |
| 2021–present | Name That Tune | Herself | Host (49 episodes)[47] |
| 2024 | Elsbeth | Joann Lenox | Episode: "A Classic New York Character" |
| 2025 | Brilliant Minds | Arianna Burnett | Episode: "Lady Liberty" |
| Year | Song | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Goodbye Earl" | The Chicks | Wanda |
| 2019 | "Afterlife" (For Your Consideration Version) | Hailee Steinfeld | Herself |
| 2022 | "Surrender My Heart" | Carly Rae Jepsen | Herself |
Krakowski released her debut solo album on July 15, 2010. It is an album ofcover versions calledLaziest Gal in Town. It released onDRG Records.[50]
Selected recordings include:
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Film and television
Theater
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Tony Award | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Grand Hotel | Nominated |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated | ||
| 2003 | Tony Award | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Nine | Won |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Won | ||
| 2006 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Guys and Dolls | Won |
| 2016 | Tony Award | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | She Loves Me | Nominated |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Won | ||
| Astaire Award | Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show | Won |
Actor Jane Krakowski in 1968 (age 50)
| Preceded by Jim Lange (1984-1985) | Host,Name That Tune 2021–present | Succeeded by incumbent |
