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Jane Kaczmarek

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Jane Kaczmarek
Image
Kaczmarek in 2014
Born
Jane Frances Kaczmarek

(1955-12-21) December 21, 1955 (age 70)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1983–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1992; div. 2010)​
Rusty Long
​
(m. 2025)​
Children3

Jane Frances Kaczmarek (/kæzˈmærək/; born December 21, 1955)[1][2][3] is an American actress. Her role as Lois on the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006) earned her three Golden Globe nominations and seven Primetime Emmy nominations. She also appeared as Linda Bauer in Equal Justice (1990–1991), Judge Trudy Kessler in Raising the Bar (2008–2009), Ann in Falling in Love (1984), Emily in The Heavenly Kid (1985), and Gayle in 6 Balloons (2018). She had recurring roles as Holly in Cybill and as Maureen Cutler in Frasier. Kaczmarek was a replacement for the character of Bella in the Broadway production of Neil Simon's Lost In Yonkers.

Early life and education

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Kaczmarek was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Evelyn (née Gregorska), a teacher, and Edward Kaczmarek, a US Department of Defense worker.[4][5][6] Of Polish descent,[7] she grew up in Greendale, a village outside Milwaukee, where she was raised a Roman Catholic.[8][9] Kaczmarek is a graduate of Greendale High School.[10] She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1979[11] and Yale School of Drama in 1982.[12]

Career

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Kaczmarek appeared in St. Elsewhere, and sitcoms Frasier and Cybill. She was also a regular on the first eight episodes of the Showtime run of The Paper Chase, as Connie Lehman. She also played a major role in the 1994 television film Without Warning as Dr. Caroline Jaffe.

In 1999, Kaczmarek was cast to play Lois in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, which premiered on January 9, 2000.[13] TV Guide dubbed her role in the series as a "true breakout; a female Homer Simpson", and critics hailed her for her comic talents.[14] Later, Kaczmarek would credit the show for bringing out her comedic side, saying, "[Before Malcolm] I couldn't even get auditions for comedies. I played very unfunny people."[15]

In September 2008, she appeared on stage in The House of Blue Leaves at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.[16]

In 2011, it was confirmed that Kaczmarek would make a vocal appearance as Red Jessica in the television series Jake and the Never Land Pirates during its second season early 2012.[17]

Kaczmarek was the narrator in the 2011 Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and PBS production of Wisconsin's Nazi Resistance: The Mildred Fish-Harnack Story, a documentary about the life of fellow Milwaukee native Mildred Fish-Harnack who, in 1943, was the only American woman to ever be personally sentenced to death by order of Adolf Hitler for her role in the German Nazi Resistance Movement.[18]

In November 2012, she made a guest appearance on ABC's The Middle as Frankie Heck's (Patricia Heaton) dental teacher. In 2013, Kaczmarek guest starred on NBC's long-running legal drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as Suffolk County D.A. Pamela "Pam" James.[19]

Kaczmarek and former Malcolm in the Middle co-star Bryan Cranston reprised their roles as Lois and Hal respectively in an "alternate ending" featurette on the Breaking Bad DVD/Blu-ray box set that was released on November 26, 2013. In it, Hal wakes up from the nightmare that was the plot of Breaking Bad, in a nod to the final scene from Newhart.[20]

Personal life

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Kaczmarek married fellow Wisconsin native and actor Bradley Whitford on August 15, 1992. They resided in Pasadena, California with their three children.[21] Inspired by their own frequent red carpet appearances, in 2002 the couple founded the charity "Clothes off our Back", which auctioned outfits and accessories worn by celebrities at award ceremonies.[22] They were sometimes referred to as a celebrity "power couple".[23]

Kaczmarek underwent a hip replacement in April 2004, due to chronic arthritis.[24] She used an X-ray of her new hip for her Emmy campaign the following summer, advertising herself as "the only Emmy nominee with an artificial hip (except for Anthony LaPaglia)".[25]

In June 2009, the couple filed for divorce after almost 17 years of marriage.[26][27][28][29] The divorce was finalized in October 2010[30][27] and they sold their 1924 villa in San Marino, California.[31]

In March 2026, Kaczmarek told People magazine that she had married her high school sweetheart, Rusty Long, in July 2025. The two had dated as teenagers in the early 1970s but their relationship ended after graduation. They reconnected after seeing each other again at their high school class reunion in 2024.[32]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1983 Uncommon Valor Mrs. Wilkes
1984 Falling in Love Ann Raftis
1985 The Heavenly Kid Emily Barnes
Door to Door Katherine Holloway
1988 D.O.A. Gail Cornell
Vice Versa Robyn Seymour
1989 All's Fair Linda
1996 The Chamber Dr. Anne Biddows
Wildly Available Rita Goodman
1998 Pleasantville David and Jennifer's mom
2010 Reviving Ophelia Marie
2015 The Boat Builder Katherine
2016 Wolves at the Door Mary
2017 CHiPs Jane Lindel
2018 6 Balloons Gayle

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1983 St. Elsewhere Sandy Burns 3 episodes
Remington Steele Barbara Troy Dannon Episode: "Altared Steele"
Scarecrow and Mrs. King Penny Episode: "Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth"
1983–84 The Paper Chase Connie Lehman 8 episodes
1984 Hill Street Blues Officer Clara Pilksy 6 episodes
Something About Amelia Mrs. Hall Television movie
Crazy Like a Fox Julie Floyd Pilot episode
1985 Hometown Mary Newell Abbott 10 episodes
1986 The Right of the People Alicia Television movie
The Christmas Gift Susan
1987 I'll Take Manhattan Nina Stern
The Three Kings Dr. Paula Bolet
1988 American Playhouse Susan Glaspell Episode: "Journey Into Genius"
1989 Spooner Gail Archer Television movie
1990–91 Equal Justice Linda Bauer 22 episodes
1993 Big Wave Dave's Karen Fisher 6 episodes
1994 Monty Nickerson Episode: "Wild, Wild Willy and His O.K. Corral"
Law & Order Janet Rudman Episode: "Censure"
ABC Afterschool Specials Mary Reed Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys"
L.A. Law Karen Gershon-woo Episode: "Whose San Andreas Fault Is It, Anyways?"
Without Warning Dr. Caroline Jaffe Television movie
1995 Picket Fences Janice Neiman Episode: "Heroes and Villains"
1995–99 Party of Five Helene Thompson 3 episodes
1996 Touched by an Angel Bonnie Bell Episode: "Out of the Darkness"
ABC Afterschool Specials Nancy Gallagher Episode: "Educating Mom"
Apollo 11 Jan Armstrong Television movie
1996–97 Cybill Holly 5 episodes
Frasier Maureen Cutler 2 episodes
1997 The Practice Pamela Boyd
1999 Felicity Carol Anderson 5 episodes
2000–06 Malcolm in the Middle Lois 151 episodes
American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy
Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2000–01)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2001–03)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2000–06)
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (2001, 2003)
Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress – Comedy
Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series
2001–present The Simpsons Judge Constance Harm (voice) 10 episodes
2001 The Wheels on the Bus Narrator US dub
2006–07 Help Me Help You Anne Hoffman 6 episodes
2008–09 Raising the Bar Judge Trudy Kessler 23 episodes
2010 Reviving Ophelia Marie Jones Television movie
2011 Wilfred Beth Episode: "Pride"
2011–12 Whitney Candi 3 episodes
2012–13 The Middle Sandy Armwood 2 episodes
2012–15 Jake and the Never Land Pirates Red Jessica (voice) 12 episodes
2013 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit D.A. Pam James Episode: "Beautiful Frame"
2014 Phineas and Ferb Denise (voice) Episode: "Lost in Danville/The Inator Method"
Us & Them Pam 7 episodes
2014–17 Playing House Gwen Crawford 7 episodes
2015 The McCarthys Eileen Episode: "Sister Act"
Big Time in Hollywood, FL Dr. Moore 2 episodes
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Coach Jackie (voice) Episode: "Ultrahyperball"
2016 The Big Bang Theory Dr. Gallo Episode: "The Sales Call Sublimation"
Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life Cindy Barrett Episode: "How to Survive Your Parents' Visit"
2018 Animals. Judge (voice) Episode: "The Trial"
This Is Us Mrs. Philips Episode: "Katie Girls"
2019 Trolls: The Beat Goes On! Mom Cloud (voice) Episode: "Don't Worry Be Peppy/Two's a Cloud"
Carol's Second Act Phyllis Episode: "Sick and Retired"
Mixed-ish Eleanor Episode: "True Colors"
2023 The Changeling Callisto "Cal" Episode: "The Wise Ones"
2026 Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair Lois 4 episodes
The Boroughs Lilly Cooper 4 episodes

Stage

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YearTitleRoleNotes Ref.
1988The Legend of OedipusAntigoneWilliamstown Theater Festival [33]
1991Lost in YonkersBella (Replacement)Richard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway
1994KindertransportHelgaManhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway
1995Raised in CaptivityHillary MacMahon/Miranda BlissSouth Coast Repertory Theatre
1998Loose EndsSusanMcGinn-Cazale Theater, Off-Broadway
2008The House of Blue LeavesBunnyMark Taper Forum, Los Angeles
2010The Autumn GardenNina DeneryAntaeus Theatre Company
2011Death of a SalesmanLinda LomanLA Theatre Works
2012Good PeopleMargie WalshGeffen Playhouse
2013KindertransportHelgaLA Theatre Works
2016And No More Shall We PartPamWilliamstown Theater Festival
2017Long Day's Journey Into NightMary TyroneGeffen Playhouse
2017The RoommateRobynWilliamstown Theater Festival
2017Our TownStage ManagerPasadena Playhouse
2018The Year is Yet to ComeEstelleLa Jolla Playhouse
2019Tell Me I'm Not CrazyDianaWilliamstown Theater Festival
2022The Folks at HomeMaureen LittlefieldBaltimore Center Stage

Awards and nominations

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YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2000Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesMalcolm in the MiddleNominated
TCA AwardsIndividual Achievement in ComedyWon
2001Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress in a Television Series: Musical or ComedyNominated
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy SeriesNominated
TCA AwardsIndividual Achievement in ComedyWon
2002Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress in a Television Series: Musical or ComedyNominated
Satellite AwardsNominated
2003Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress in a Television Series: Musical or ComedyNominated
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy SeriesNominated
2004Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated
Satellite AwardsBest Actress in a Television Series: Musical or ComedyWon
2005Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated
2006Nominated
2012Ovation AwardsLead Actress in a PlayGood People[34]Nominated

References

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  1. ↑ Mike Rose, cleveland com (December 21, 2023). "Famous birthdays list for December 21, 2023 includes celebrities Ray Romano, Kiefer Sutherland". cleveland. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  2. ↑ Schlichenmeyer, Terri; Meier, Mark (May 1, 2019). The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9781578596980 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Gilpatrick, Kristin (September 25, 2002). Famous Wisconsin Film Stars. Badger Books Inc. ISBN 9781878569868 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Roberts, Robin (July 13, 2003). "'Malcolm's' new fifth dimension". Record-Journal. p. F1, F5. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ Borun, Thaddeus (1946). We, the Milwaukee Poles: The History of Milwaukeeans of Polish Descent and a Record of Their Contributions to the Greatness of Milwaukee. Nowiny Publishing Company. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Gregorski, Frances J." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. May 29, 2003. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Food Friday: Polish Foods With Actress Jane Kaczmarek And Actress Beata Pozniak". WMAC - Northeast Public Radio. June 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Jane Kaczmarek Biography". The Biography Channel. A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2014. The daughter of a defense department employee and a teacher, she grew up in a strict, Catholic household.
  9. ↑ "Jane Kaczmarek cherishes local parks : The Bay View Compass". December 23, 2008. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ Powers, Joy; Larry, Robert (May 4, 2023). "Jane Kaczmarek reminisces on growing up in Milwaukee, ahead of performance with Theatre Gigante". Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Notable Alumni: University of Wisconsin–Madison". www.wisc.edu. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Theater-makers recall their experiences at Yale Rep to mark the theater's 50th year | Yale News". news.yale.edu. October 10, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Yahoo". blackvoices.aol.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007.
  14. ↑ "Malcolm in the Middle". Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2006.. Fox.com
  15. ↑ Malcolm in the Middle Archived November 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on TV.com
  16. ↑ Haithman, Diane (September 12, 2008). "Jane Kaczmarek has the support she needs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  17. ↑ Schneider, Michael (July 22, 2011). "Exclusive: Sharon Osbourne Gets Animated for Next TV Gig". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  18. ↑ Lead entry in the credits following the June 12, 2023, re-broadcast of the documentary)
  19. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (November 19, 2012). "Law & Order: SVU Exclusive: Malcolm in the Middle Mom to Battle DA Barba". TV Guide. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  20. ↑ Teti, John (November 17, 2013). "A Breaking Bad alternate ending is a Malcolm In The Middle dream sequence". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  21. ↑ Graham, Emily. "School Family - Jane Kaczmarek on Being a Real-Life Mom". www.schoolfamily.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  22. ↑ Steinhauer, Jennifer (November 12, 2007). "Why Movie Stars Offer the Clothes Off Their Backs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Here's what the cast of Friends is up to this week". EW.com. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Malcolm in the Middle – Kaczmarek Has Hip Replacement Surgery". contactmusic.com, June 24, 2004.
  25. ↑ "Jane Kaczmarek – Kaczmarek Explains Hip Emmy Ad." contactmusic.com, August 29, 2004.
  26. ↑ "Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek File for Divorce". People. June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  27. 1 2 "Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford to Divorce - MORE Magazine". www.more.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  28. ↑ Lee, Luaine (October 4, 2010). "After an unexpected divorce, Jane Kaczmarek is starting over again". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Jane Kaczmarek: "Flexibility" Is The Key To Co-Parenting | Celebrity Baby Scoop". May 20, 2010. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Whitford and Kaczmarek -- Divvying Up the Goodies". TMZ. October 22, 2010.
  31. ↑ Beale, Lauren (August 17, 2010). "Jane Kaczmarek, Bradley Whitford sell San Marino villa". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  32. ↑ Blanchet, Brenton (March 20, 2026). "Malcolm in the Middle's Jane Kaczmarek on Marrying Her High School Love 50 Years After They Dated: 'Like a Fairytale' (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Jane Kaczmarek (Performer)". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 17, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Center Theatre Group Tops 2012 Ovation Awards". November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
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