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Melanie Lynskey
ACTOR

Melanie Lynskey

Known for House · The Last of Us · Two and a Half Men

Melanie Jayne Lynskey (born May 16, 1977) is a New Zealand actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American dialects, she works predominantly in independent films. Lynskey is the recipient of two Critics' Choice Awards, a HCA Award, a Gracie, a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, and a Sundance Special Jury Award, as well as Gotham, Satellite, Saturn, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen…

Snapshot 2026-10-15

Born
May 16, 1977
Birthplace
New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
Known For
Acting

Biography

Melanie Jayne Lynskey (born May 16, 1977) is a New Zealand actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American dialects, she works predominantly in independent films. Lynskey is the recipient of two Critics' Choice Awards, a HCA Award, a Gracie, a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, and a Sundance Special Jury Award, as well as Gotham, Satellite, Saturn, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen Actors Guild, and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

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Known For

TVHouse
HouseNatalie Tavares · 2004
★ 8.6
TVThe Last of Us
The Last of UsKathleen Coghlan · 2023
★ 8.4
TVTwo and a Half Men
Two and a Half MenRose · 2003
★ 7.4
TVYoung Sheldon
Young SheldonDora Ericson · 2017
★ 8.0
TVAmerican Dad!
American Dad!Sharon (voice) · 2005
★ 7.0
TVOver the Garden Wall
Over the Garden WallBeatrice (voice) · 2014
★ 8.6
TVIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaKate · 2005
★ 8.2
TVPsych
PsychEmily Bloom · 2006
★ 7.9

Filmography

Movies

Heavenly CreaturesPauline Parker
1994
The FrightenersDeputy
1996
EverAfterJacqueline de Ghent
1998
Detroit Rock CityBeth Bumsteen
1999
The Cherry OrchardDunyasha
1999
But I'm a CheerleaderHilary
2000
Coyote UglyGloria
2000
Foreign CorrespondentsMelody
2001
SnakeskinAlice
2001
AbandonMousy Julie
2002
ShootersMarie
2002
Sweet Home AlabamaLurlynn
2002
ClaustrophobiaLauren
2003
Shattered GlassAmy Brand
2003
The Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe CadwaulderZoe Cadwaulder
2004
Flags of Our FathersPauline Harnois
2006
ParkSheryl
2006
Say UncleSusan
2006
Itty Bitty Titty CommitteePat (uncredited)
2007
A Quiet Little MarriageMonique
2008
Show of HandsJess
2008
Away We GoMunch
2009
Leaves of GrassColleen
2009
The Informant!Ginger Whitacre
2009
Up in the AirJulie Bingham
2009
Helena from the WeddingAlice
2010
Helena from the Wedding: Cast InterviewsSelf
2011
TouchbackMacy
2011
Win WinCindy Timmons
2011
Eye of the HurricaneAmelia Kyte
2012
Hello I Must Be GoingAmy
2012
P
PutzelSally
2012
Seeking a Friend for the End of the WorldKaren Amalfi
2012
The Perks of Being a WallflowerAunt Helen
2012
A Kiwi LegendSelf
2013
Chu and BlossomMiss Shoemaker
2014
Goodbye to All ThatAnnie Wall
2014
Happy ChristmasKelly
2014
The Big AskHannah
2014
They Came TogetherBrenda
2014
We'll Never Have ParisDevon
2014
Behind Over the Garden WallSelf
2015
Digging for FireSquiggy
2015
Folk Hero & Funny GuyBecky
2016
Rainbow TimeLindsay
2016
The Great & The SmallMargaret
2016
The InterventionAnnie
2016
1 Mile To YouCoach Rowan
2017
And Then I GoJanice
2017
I Don't Feel at Home in This World AnymoreRuth Kimke
2017
Little BoxesGina
2017
The ChangeoverKate Chant
2017
XXMary (segment "The Birthday Party")
2017
SadieRae
2018
Don't Look UpJune Mindy
2021
Lady of the ManorHannah
2021
TM
The Making of The Tattooist of AuschwitzSelf
2024
Griffin in SummerHelen
2025
Pike RiverAnna Osborne
2025
Don't Say Good LuckElizabeth Birenbaum
2026

Television

This MorningSelf · 1 eps
1988
Big BrotherSelf - Actress, 'Two & a ½ Men' · 1 eps
2000
Rose RedRachel Wheaton · 3 eps
2002
The ShieldMarcy · 2 eps
2002
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self · 1 eps
2003
Two and a Half MenRose · 85 eps
2003
HouseNatalie Tavares · 1 eps
2004
The L WordClea Mason · 2 eps
2004
American Dad!Sharon (voice) · 1 eps
2005
It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaKate · 1 eps
2005
PsychEmily Bloom · 1 eps
2006
DriveWendy Patrakas · 6 eps
2007
Comanche MoonPearl Coleman · 3 eps
2008
The Life & Times of TimBecky (voice) · 1 eps
2008
Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest · 1 eps
2009
Key & PeeleFiance · 1 eps
2012
MomShannon · 1 eps
2013
Celebrity Name GameSelf · 1 eps
2014
Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf · 1 eps
2014
Over the Garden WallBeatrice (voice) · 10 eps
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf · 2 eps
2014
Variety Studio: Actors on ActorsSelf · 1 eps
2014
The Late Late Show with James CordenSelf - Guest · 1 eps
2015
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertSelf - Guest · 1 eps
2015
TogethernessMichelle Pierson · 16 eps
2015
EasyBeth · 1 eps
2016
Future-Worm!Megan (voice) · 60 eps
2016
Our Ex-WifeSara · 1 eps
2016
GirlbossGail · 3 eps
2017
SunshineZara Skelton · 4 eps
2017
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years LaterLaura · 2 eps
2017
Young SheldonDora Ericson · 2 eps
2017
Castle RockMolly Strand · 10 eps
2018
Summer Camp IslandSun (voice) · 4 eps
2018
The Kelly Clarkson ShowSelf · 1 eps
2019
Mrs. AmericaRosemary Thomson · 9 eps
2020
YellowjacketsShauna Sadecki · 32 eps
2021
CandyBetty Gore · 5 eps
2022
The Jennifer Hudson Show1 eps
2022
Poker FaceRegina Gilvary · 1 eps
2023
The Last of UsKathleen Coghlan · 2 eps
2023
After MidnightSelf · 1 eps
2024
Hot Ones VersusSelf · 1 eps
2024
MatlockDebra Palmer · 2 eps
2024
The Tattooist of AuschwitzHeather Morris · 6 eps
2024
Hollywood SquaresSelf · 1 eps
2025

Photos

Melanie Lynskey photo
Melanie Lynskey photo
Melanie Lynskey photo
Melanie Lynskey photo
Melanie Lynskey photo
Melanie Lynskey photo
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