Nonetheless a rising star! Jennifer Coolidge has been a Hollywood staple for years — however The White Lotus gave her a spot to shine even brighter.
The Massachusetts native made her first tv look on Seinfeld earlier than scoring her large break in 1999’s American Pie. The approaching-of-age film spawned three sequels — and Coolidge wouldn’t be against going again to East Nice Falls.
“The Weitz brothers stored me going,” the actress teased throughout her January 2023 Golden Globes acceptance speech for The White Lotus, referring to director Paul Weitz and producer Chris Weitz. “I milked [American Pie] to the bone. I imply, I’m nonetheless going for six or seven [movies], no matter they need, you understand?”
Together with the American Pie franchise, Coolidge is widely known for her portrayal of Paulette Bonafonté within the Legally Blonde films. Paulette befriends Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) and learns the now-iconic “bend and snap” transfer from the sorority girl-turned-law pupil.
Almost 20 years after Legally Blonde‘s debut, a 3rd movie — penned by Witherspoon’s pal Mindy Kaling — was formally given the inexperienced mild.
“[She] is simply somebody who all writers would kill to put in writing for,” the Mindy Venture alum gushed of Coolidge whereas talking to Leisure Tonight in April 2022. “She is so humorous. She elevates any materials … And in order a author, it’s the jackpot.”
Kaling teased on the time that followers can be happy with the “juicy” story strains for each Elle and Paulette. “The 2 of them, seeing what they appear like now after 20 years, is basically enjoyable,” she added.
Coolidge has earned recognition for her work in fan-favorite films, however she’s additionally identified for extra under-the-radar comedies. She’s teamed up with Christopher Visitor on a handful of initiatives over time, holding her personal alongside Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara in Greatest in Present and For Your Consideration.
Although the Joey alum is way from an trade newcomer, her profession scored a serious enhance following the premiere of The White Lotus in 2021. Written and directed by Mike White, the HBO anthology follows visitors and workers of a high-end resort chain. Coolidge’s character, Tanya McQuoid, appeared in seasons 1 and a pair of — and he or she took residence a number of awards for her efficiency.
“I really feel so alive, you understand?” the Single All of the Means star advised ET after accepting her 2023 Critics’ Selection Awards win. “You undergo your life, and also you type of simply assume you’re used to going a sure means and also you simply tackle no matter that baggage is and that it’s by no means going to vary.”
Coolidge referred to as her continued success on the sequence the “shock of a lifetime,” including: “My life was modified in a single day, and I couldn’t be extra grateful.”
Scroll down for a take a look at Coolidge’s profession highlights by way of the years:
Credit score: Shutterstock(2)
Jennifer Coolidge Via the Years: From ‘Legally Blonde’ to ‘The White Lotus’
Nonetheless a rising star! Jennifer Coolidge has been a Hollywood staple for years — however The White Lotus gave her a spot to shine even brighter.
The Massachusetts native made her first tv look on Seinfeld earlier than scoring her large break in 1999’s American Pie. The approaching-of-age film spawned three sequels — and Coolidge would not be against going again to East Nice Falls.
“The Weitz brothers stored me going,” the actress teased throughout her January 2023 Golden Globes acceptance speech for The White Lotus, referring to director Paul Weitz and producer Chris Weitz. “I milked [American Pie] to the bone. I imply, I am nonetheless going for six or seven [movies], no matter they need, you understand?”
Together with the American Pie franchise, Coolidge is widely known for her portrayal of Paulette Bonafonté within the Legally Blonde films. Paulette befriends Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) and learns the now-iconic “bend and snap” transfer from the sorority girl-turned-law pupil.
[jwplayer IdBso0Ra-zhNYySv2]
Almost 20 years after Legally Blonde‘s debut, a 3rd movie — penned by Witherspoon’s pal Mindy Kaling — was formally given the inexperienced mild.
“[She] is simply somebody who all writers would kill to put in writing for,” the Mindy Venture alum gushed of Coolidge whereas talking to Leisure Tonight in April 2022. “She is so humorous. She elevates any materials … And in order a author, it is the jackpot.”
Kaling teased on the time that followers can be happy with the “juicy” story strains for each Elle and Paulette. “The 2 of them, seeing what they appear like now after 20 years, is basically enjoyable,” she added.
Coolidge has earned recognition for her work in fan-favorite films, however she’s additionally identified for extra under-the-radar comedies. She’s teamed up with Christopher Visitor on a handful of initiatives over time, holding her personal alongside Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara in Greatest in Present and For Your Consideration.
Although the Joey alum is way from an trade newcomer, her profession scored a serious enhance following the premiere of The White Lotus in 2021. Written and directed by Mike White, the HBO anthology follows visitors and workers of a high-end resort chain. Coolidge’s character, Tanya McQuoid, appeared in seasons 1 and a pair of — and he or she took residence a number of awards for her efficiency.
“I really feel so alive, you understand?” the Single All of the Means star advised ET after accepting her 2023 Critics’ Selection Awards win. “You undergo your life, and also you type of simply assume you are used to going a sure means and also you simply tackle no matter that baggage is and that it is by no means going to vary.”
Coolidge referred to as her continued success on the sequence the “shock of a lifetime,” including: “My life was modified in a single day, and I couldn’t be extra grateful.”
Scroll down for a take a look at Coolidge’s profession highlights by way of the years:
Credit score: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock
1999
Coolidge obtained her large break in American Pie, starring because the mom of Seann William Scott‘s Stifler. She reprised her position within the 2001 sequel and 2003’s American Marriage ceremony earlier than returning for American Reunion practically a decade later.
Credit score: Tracy Bennett/Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock
2001
One in every of Coolidge’s most memorable roles was Paulette Bonafonté in Legally Blonde. The lovable salon worker learns the “bend and snap” from Elle Woods (Witherspoon). Nevertheless, Coolidge later joked that the transfer was “deceptive,” telling Deadline in 2022: “I’ve by no means had bending over work for me prefer it did in that film.”
Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
2004
Coolidge joined Hilary Duff in A Cinderella Story, taking up the position of the egocentric stepmother. The dynamic duo reunited on display screen within the ABC Household authentic film Magnificence & the Briefcase in 2006.
Credit score: Warner Impartial Photos/Kobal/Shutterstock
2006
Following the success of 2000’s Greatest in Present, Coolidge as soon as once more teamed up with Visitor and Levy within the awards season spoof For Your Consideration. The comedy follows the workforce behind a low-budget movie that begins to generate Oscar buzz in opposition to all odds.
Credit score: Shutterstock
2008
After persevering with to attain supporting roles on the large display screen, Coolidge pivoted to TV on The Secret Lifetime of the American Teenager. She stars as Betty, a name lady who finally marries Ben’s (Kenny Baumann) dad. Coolidge made recurring appearances on the ABC Household sequence till 2012.
Credit score: Youtube
2011
The Like a Boss actress started to dabble in stand-up comedy the identical 12 months that she nabbed a visitor position on 2 Broke Women. She was later promoted to the full-time forged and remained on the CBS sitcom till its 2017 sequence finale.
Credit score: Youtube
2018
When Ariana Grande revisited traditional ’00s flicks for her “Thank U Subsequent” music video, Coolidge was readily available to make a cameo as her hilarious Legally Blonde character.
Credit score: Youtube
2020
Returning to the silver display screen, Coolidge joined Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie and extra in Emerald Fennell‘s Oscar-nominated Promising Younger Girl.
Credit score: Jae C Hong/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
2022
Coolidge made her debut as Tanya on HBO’s The White Lotus in 2021 — and her efficiency was met with important acclaim. She took residence the Emmy for Excellent Supporting Actress in a Restricted or Anthology Collection or Film. “This can be a once-in-a-lifetime factor and I am full. I am full!” she gushed on the 2022 ceremony earlier than dancing alongside to the music that signaled it was time for her to go away the stage.
Credit score: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
2023
Coolidge continued to select up trophies for her White Lotus position, profitable large at each the 2023 Golden Globes and the 2023 Critics’ Selection Awards. “I had such large desires and expectations as a youthful individual, however what occurred is that they get type of fizzled by life. … Mike White, you may have given me hope,” she mentioned whereas accepting her Golden Globe. “You’ve got given me a brand new starting.”
