The series premiered on Hulu in July 2018 and garnered positive reviews, particularly for the cast; Paste referred to Lynskey as "delicately complex",[125] while Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone felt the show was "the latest example of how much humanity and grounding [Lynskey] can bring to the most surreal and macabre of stories a tradition that goes back to when she was a teenager in Heavenly Creatures". If you don't, this film will have you making up for lost time. ", Melanie then replied to the tweet with a few very funny updates. [55] Next, she co-starred as Matt Damon's wife, Ginger, in Steven Soderbergh's comedic biographical drama The Informant!. From her role as Shauna in Showtime's "Yellowjackets" to her performance in Hulu's "Candy" alongside Jessica Biel, the actor is a powerful force on screen. But I couldn't have done one without the other. Melanie Lynskey Bio, Family, Career, Husband, Net Worth, Measurements In December 2018, Lynskey, 45, had welcomed her first child a daughter with husband Jason Ritter. [77] Speaking of his decision to cast Lynskey, director Todd Louiso said, "I knew if I cast her, the film had the potential to resonate on a thousand different levels". She was born as the older daughter of Kay Lynskey and Tim Lynskey. It was always really impressive.. The freedom I felt, standing there and saying something that had been written for me and getting to be in someone elses skin and not having to be Melanie, she said, changed her forever. I love you so much. Not only did Lynskey do something for her own nanny when she thanked her publicly for doing such a good and important job, she did something for nannies everywhere. RELATED VIDEO: Jason Ritter Reveals the Best Advice His Late Father John Ritter Ever Gave Him, What a hands down brilliant talent & exceptional human being he is! she continued. [88][89] Later that year, she appeared as Amy Poehler's best friend in David Wain's satirical romantic comedy They Came Together, and played the female leads in We'll Never Have Paris and Goodbye to All That. ", "There Should Be More Babies In Bars IMO Here's Why", "Ambitious Cub's Rise and Fall: Shattered Glass Cuts Fact From Fakery", "Melanie Lynskey Could Have Been Just The Wacky Sitcom Neighbor. 15:19 BST 01 Feb 2019. She's always great, but Shauna feels like the part she's been waiting her whole career to play". [158], Lynskey has described herself as a character actress. My daughter is four, shes in preschool, so it doesnt really matter yet. In an especially sweet recent Instagram post, Lynskey birthday Instagram post for Ritters birthday, Lynskey shared a photo of her daughter wearing a tutu in her husbands arms. No further information including the babys name and birth date are known. Click here to get those and more in the PEOPLE Parents newsletter. [180] Lynskey filed for divorce from Simpson on 25 September 2012, citing irreconcilable differences. While guesting on Sirius XM's The Jess Cagle Show, Jason was asked if his daughter has been bit by the acting bug. Melanie Jayne Lynskey (/lnsk/ LIN-ski;[1] born 16 May 1977) is a New Zealand actress. [184][185] They were married in 2020. The actor and son of the late John Ritter has welcomed his first child, a daughter, with his actress fiance Melanie Lynskey, a source confirms to PEOPLE. Based on the eponymously titled novel, this is the powerful real-life story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was tasked with tattooing ID numbers on prisoners' arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War Two. Jen Juneau is a digital news writer for PEOPLE since 2016. If you're willing to work like that, you get chances to do really creative, interesting stuff". After taking a three-year hiatus to go to university, Lynskey came back to the big screen in Ever After: A Cinderella Story with Drew Barrymore and went on to score roles in films such as But Im A Cheerleader (1999), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Up In The Air (2009), and most recently, Dont Look Up (2021). The proposal came as a surprise to Lynskey, who admitted that she had no idea that it was coming. Ritter married Yellowjackets star Melanie Lynskey in 2017 and the pair have one child. Writing for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Burl Burlingame called it "the richest testament Hollywood has yet made about the paroxysm of World War II an astounding movie on every level",[46] while Peter Travers of Rolling Stone believed it was "a film of awesome power and blistering provocation". A post shared by Melanie Lynskey (@msmelanielynskey). [81], In 2013, Lynskey had a starring role in The Big Ask, an independent comedy-drama. [109][110] The film's director (Macon Blair) wrote the character of Ruth, a downtrodden vigilante who teams up with her neighbor (played by Elijah Wood) to track down a burglar, with Lynskey in mind. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. I want to cuddle you all day' - my daughter.". But when Yellowjackets star Melanie Lynskey won the 2022 Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, she thanked a person who usually doesnt make the awards show gratitude list (but 100% should): her nanny. It was funny because, as I grew up and I found that recording again, I went, 'Oh, they must have sped up my voice to make it that high.' [or] 'Oh, all those people were in that movie' all people know is if the movie was good or not" so, if you consistently choose good scripts you're going to build a very strong rsum. Variety described the film as "quietly absorbing", adding that Lynskey's work was "strong" and "compelling";[122] while Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "It's no surprise that Lynskey, who has quietly [been] establishing herself as one of indie cinema's finest actors, is once again superb in her emotionally complex turn". [7], During her childhood, Lynskey's family moved to England for one year before returning to New Zealand. The veteran actress was born on 16 May 1977 in New Plymouth, New Zealand as Melanie Jayne Lynskey and nicknamed 'Mel'. A source confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday that Ritter a 38-year-old actor who is the son of the late John Ritter and Lynskey had become parents for the first time. [102], For her role in The Intervention (2016), Lynskey received the U.S. Critics' Choice: Yellowjackets' Melanie Lynskey Wins Best TV Actress "I didn't feel like I was that person. I Want What They Have: Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter All Rights Reserved. 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[80] In 2015, Screen Rant placed Lynskey's portrayal of Amy at #6 on their list of the '20 Best Acting Performances of the Last 5 Years'. Despite being a high-profile Hollywood actor, Lynskey has managed to keep her personal life out of the public eye. From time to time, however, she reveals small snippets of life with her daughter on social media. She auditioned for the role when a casting director visited her high school;[10] prior to this, five hundred girls had been considered for the part of Pauline, but "none were right". Thanks to everyone for your sweet messages. There aren't that many opportunities [to do that] except in the independent film world. Desmond Child, Hitmaker for Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Katy . She added, 'We love her so much; shes perfect. What a hands down brilliant talent & exceptional human being he is! she continued. Jen Juneau is a digital news writer for PEOPLE since 2016. The read-through was directed by Jason Reitman, who assembled a cast of women to read the all-male script; Lynskey portrayed the role of George Aaronow (originally played by Alan Arkin). Her rhythms are really unusual, like her cadence and her reaction times to things, and the way she sort of lays out a sentence. Jason Ritter, Melanie Lynskey Are 'Open' to Their Daughter Acting Lynskey made her screen debut at age 16 in Heavenly Creatures (1994), earning critical acclaim for her portrayal of murderess Pauline Parker. New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey made her professional debut at the age of sixteen when she starred as murderess Pauline Parker in Heavenly Creatures (1994), a crime drama directed by Peter Jackson and co-starring Kate Winslet. Melanie Lynskey Child: Does Melanie Lynskey Have Kids? - ABTC [191] She suffers from misophonia. ". [72] Also that year, she starred in the romantic comedy Putzel, with Mark Hinson of the Tallahassee Democrat writing that her performancein the role of Sally, a professional dancer and the love interest of the main character"steals the show [the film] sparks to life whenever the charming Lynskey arrives on the screen";[73] while in his review for Redefine, Allen Huang described her as "delightful" and "deftly believable".[74]. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Melanie Lynskey reflected on losing touch with her friend Kate Winslet. Lynskey's starring role as a depressed divorcee in Hello I Must Be Going (2012) proved to be a turning point in her career,[4] with subsequent parts in films such as Happy Christmas (2014), The Intervention (2016) and I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) establishing her as a prominent figure in independent cinema,[5] while also leading to parts in bigger projects such as Don't Look Up (2021). Outside of her packed work life, Lynskey is also a full-time mom to a daughter with husband Jason Ritter, whom she married in 2020. Outside of film, Lynskey achieved fame with her portrayal of Rose on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men (20032015). 'Congrats to Raising Dion Co Star Jason Ritter & his wife on the birth of their beautiful Sag baby girl,' she wrote on December 18. Melanie Lynskey - IMDb The film received negative reviews from critics, but Lynskey's performance was considered to be one of its strong points, with Todd McCarthy of Variety pointing out that she "does some self-conscious scene stealing". "She is watching her parents and she's already showing signs," he said while dramatically sighing. [139] In January 2022, it was reported that Don't Look Up had set a record for the most viewings of any film on Netflix (the film's distributor) in a single week, making it the third most-watched item in the company's history.[140]. [190] Lynskey became a vegetarian at age 10 after learning about sheep farming,[191] but now identifies as a pescetarian. I guess the story got out, so! Honestly, in a ton of shows and movies. Distractify is a registered trademark. Jason Ritter and Melanie Lynskey Welcome a Daughter - People Not much else is known about Lynskey's daughter; however, from time to time, the "Yellowjackets" star does share some of the moments she has with her on social media. 'Sweet Home Alabama' Cast: Where Are They Now? [146], It was announced on 7 December 2021 that Lynskey had been nominated for the 2022 Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Shauna. [126] The series was later renewed for a second season;[127] however, due to the anthological nature of the narrative, it featured a different set of actors. Melanie Lynskey Says Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson Lent Their Trailers [154][155], In The Last of Usan adaptation of the 2013 action-adventure gameLynskey appeared in the guest role of Kathleen (an original character created especially for the series), the "ruthless leader of a revolutionary movement". We love her so much; shes perfect. [186], Although not gay herself, Lynskey is widely considered a gay icon. [98][99][100] In March 2016, it was announced that HBO had decided not to renew Togetherness for a third season. Melanie Lynskey - Wikipedia Since 2021 she has played the lead role of Shauna on Showtime's Yellowjackets, for which she won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. In 1996, she landed her a lead role alongside Kate Winslet in Heavenly Creatures, in which she played an outcast teen whose relationship with her best friend (Winslet) turns deadly. The series ran on FX on Hulu and was widely acclaimed by critics, with James Poniewozik of The New York Times calling it "breathtaking a meticulously created and observed mural that finds the germ of contemporary America in the striving of righteously mad women". At 16 years old, Melanie blew everyone away with her turn as Pauline Parker in Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures alongside Kate Winslet. A source previously confirmed the news to PEOPLE. video, Jamie Oliver seen with Jock Zonfrillo just hours before his death was announced, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo dies aged 46 leaving family devastated, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillos death not being treated as suspicious. While speaking with Hollywood Today Live in February 2017, the Castle Rock actress revealed to the shows co-hosts that she and Ritter were engaged. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Lynskey's professional acting debut came at age 16 with a starring role in Heavenly Creatures (1994),[9] a psychological drama based on the ParkerHulme murder case. [156] It premiered on HBO in January 2023 to strong reviews: Stephen Kelly of BBC Culture called it "The best video game adaptation ever", noting that Lynskey's "chillingly violent and vengeful" performance was "superb",[157] while Daniel Fienberg felt she was "excellent thoroughly effective" in his review for The Hollywood Reporter. On that note, I'd like to introduce the courtship of Yellowjackets star Melanie Lynskey and Parenthood lead Jason Ritter, who began dating in 2013, got engaged in 2017, had their first. [97] Despite missing out on a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2016, she was singled out as a worthy candidate in the run-up to that year's ceremony. The actor announced the. She was also given a lot of responsibilities at home, as she told Rolling Stone. [32], In 2002, Lynskey re-teamed with director Andy Tennantwhom she previously worked with on Ever Afterto play a childhood acquaintance of Reese Witherspoon in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, which had a record-breaking opening weekend in North America. Reitman said he was "thrilled" by this. While speaking with Hollywood Today Live in February 2017, the Castle Rock actress, 41, revealed to the shows co-hosts that she and Ritter were engaged. However, she found her time on set with Mrs America challenging although it was significantly helped by the assistance, both emotional and practical, that Blanchett and Paulson offered. Fans of the show will also appreciate her portrayal of Betty Gore in the true crime nail-biter, Candy, now streaming on Hulu. A super fan also tweeted that she saw Jason, Melanie and baby at the airport. She also starred in the HBO series Togetherness (20152016), the first season of Hulu's Castle Rock (2018), the FX miniseries Mrs. America (2020), and the Hulu miniseries Candy (2022). Joe Leydon of Variety described her performance in the latter as "quietly devastating".[108]. As for her childhood friend, Lynskey and Winslet reunited at the 2009 premiere of Away We Go. While they may not talk on the phone all the time anymore, Lynskey took a page out of Winslets book and faced a recent body-shaming experience gracefully. 'Sweet Home Alabama' Cast: Where Are They Now? Yknow, I would come to set and burst into tears and she would be like, Aw honey She was very, very there for me in that way, the actress recalled. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? ", "Tim Blake Nelson and Quint chat about LEAVES OF GRASS, a Slim Pickens-ish Richard Dreyfuss and The Leader's return in HULK 2!! The showwhich was created by the Duplass brothersran for two seasons, and was praised for its intimate storytelling and the performances of its cast. I was blasting A$AP Rocky and yelling a lot, she tweeted. [179], In 2001, Lynskey met American actor Jimmi Simpson during the filming of Rose Red, in which they both appeared. After moving to the United States, Lynskey became known as a character actress through a range of parts in films such as Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Away We Go, Up in the Air, The Informant! So, I'll argue it, and I can get kind of feisty because I feel it in my body, I know what is right". The 44-year-old actress welcomed her first and only child thus far with husband Jason Ritter, a daughter, in December 2018. Get our Celebrity & Entertainment newsletter by tapping the button below. [12][13] Roger Ebert praised its directorPeter Jacksonfor picking "the right two actresses", noting that "there is a way Lynskey has of looking up from beneath glowering eyebrows that lets you know her insides are churning". Yes! Lynskey on choosing film roles, 2012[60], Also in 2009, Lynskey appeared as Edward Norton's pregnant fiance in Tim Blake Nelson's black comedy Leaves of Grass, with Seongyong Cho of RogerEbert.com writing that her performance was one of the key contributors to the film's "quirky charm". As a child, Lynskey was reportedly painfully shy, as she told TIME; as a 6-year-old, she ate lunch in the teachers lounge to avoid the other children. Melanie Lynskey reflects on Kate Winslet friendship ending - Page Six Im blessed to have shared creative energy with you. A performance like this one can be quite trickyyou're essentially reactive a lot of the time, more of a sponge for the film than the motor driving it alongbut Lynskey makes everything active by letting you feel Ruth's emotions and sense her train of thought as she puts various pieces together in her head, drawing correct or wrongheaded conclusions. Melanie Lynskey has revealed the support she received from co-stars Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson when she was struggling with the practicalities of being a working mother. Melanie Lynskey is a prolific character actress who has been giving standout supporting character performances in films for many years. The Emmy Award nominee, 43, revealed whether he could see his daughter following in her. [7] During her childhood, Lynskey's family moved to England for one year before returning to New Zealand. The actresses starred in 1994's "Heavenly Creatures.". Lynskey received strong reviews[52][53] in 2009 for her appearance in Away We Go, a comedy-drama directed by Sam Mendes, where she played a woman who has suffered a series of miscarriages. When director Peter Jackson scouted her school looking for a girl to star in his film "Heavenly . Jason Ritter, Melanie Lynskey Quietly Welcome First Child - Us Weekly Left: Richard Shotwell/Invision/Associated Press; Right: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/Associated Press, she said on Thursdays Happy Sad Confused podcast, body-shaming she experienced after Titanic, and faced a recent body-shaming experience gracefully. [14] Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly described her work as "extraordinary",[15] while Richard Corliss stated in his review for Time: The film's serendipitous stroke was to find Winslet and, especially, Lynskey, a first-time actress. [62] Next, she appeared as Juliethe younger sister of George Clooney's characterin Up in the Air, which was directed by Jason Reitman and was nominated in six categoriesincluding Best Pictureat the 82nd Academy Awards. Lynskey on how the success of Two and a Half Men enabled her to pursue a career in independent film, 2016[45], In 2006, Lynskey appeared as the wife of Rene Gagnon (played by Jesse Bradford) in the Clint Eastwood-directed war epic Flags of Our Fathers. Now that their daughter is four years old, naturally questions of following in her parents' entertainment footsteps are coming up. Lynskey and Ritter welcomed a daughter in 2018 and tied the knot in 2020 in a private ceremony on their front porch. 'The good thing about our news being put out there is that now I do get to publicly thank the wonderful doctors and the amazing heroic caring brilliant nurses of @NSH_Maternity in Atlanta,' Lynskey wrote. The actress announced her birth in a series of hilarious tweets in January 2019. [173], In February 2013, she participated in a Live Read performance of the 1992 film Glengarry Glen Ross. While Lynskey hasnt shared her daughters name with the world, she has shared a few sweet photos of her on social media. America', "Mrs America is a powerful look at the never-ending fight for equal rights", "How Cate Blanchett supported Melanie Lynskey as they filmed Mrs America", "Critically-acclaimed actress Melanie Lynskey on pinch-me moments, measuring success and trusting your gut", "Lady Of The Manor Review: Lynskey & Greer Shine As A Stoner & Her Ghost Friend", "Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Adam McKay's 'Don't Look Up': Film Review", "Showtime Survival Thriller Yellowjackets Is the Best New Show in Months", "Yellowjackets: Showtime's Series Skillfully Stirs in Sports, Suburbs, Survival, and the Supernatural", "The Girls of 'Yellowjackets' Survive a Plane Crash. Its time for Jason Ritter to enter real-life Parenthood! Lynskey is married to actor Jason Ritter, with whom she has a daughter. Though this is the first child for both actors, Melanie was previously married once before to actor Jimmi Simpson from 2007 until 2012. , updated Does Melanie Lynskey Have Kids? Here's the Scoop [174][175], Between 20142016, Lynskey featured on several occasions as part of The Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged production and podcast in the style of old-time radio, which was held monthly in Los Angeles. There are a few laugh-out-loud moments in the film, and Lynskey is at the center of all of them". Yes! The good thing about our news being put out there is that now I do get to publicly thank the wonderful doctors and the amazing heroic caring brilliant nurses of @NSH_Maternity in Atlanta, Lynskey wrote in a final message. It wasn't until they were cast in a film together while simultaneously going through their own breakups that things began to change. Thank you, Sally. And you are very very very very handsome and I love you with all my heart @jason_ritter., The proud mom has also shared some of the cute things her daughter has said to her. We love her so much; shes perfect. [152] Writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper called the series "a fascinating psychological character study", adding that "Although Candy devotes the majority of screen time to telling events from the title character's point of view, Lynskey gives Betty a memorable and constant presence [she] was clearly depressed and in need of help and through Lynskey's performance, we find that tragic and heartbreaking". I watched movie after movie and learned American accents". Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter's Relationship Timeline 2: 'Major Surprise', Jason Ritter Gets Emotional Speaking About His Alcoholism Before Marrying Melanie Lynskey. From labor & delivery to post partum, every one was an angel and Im eternally grateful.. The actor has one child, a daughter born in 2018, with her husband Jason Ritter. series of hilarious tweets in January 2019. Sort by Year - Latest Movies and TV Shows With Melanie Lynskey Now I do get to publicly thank the wonderful doctors and the amazing heroic caring brilliant nurses of @NSH_Maternity in Atlanta, she tweeted. Melanie Lynskey Is in Touch With Some of Her "Sweet Home Alabama" Children: "Very Cute, Sweet Kids" . [11] Heavenly Creatures was met with critical acclaim upon its release. [33] For the latter, she received strong reviews[34][33] and a nomination for Best Actress at the New Zealand Film Awards. In the past, Jason dated Scottish actress Marianna Palka. Melanie Lynskey fed baby privately after Cate Blanchett lent - Metro @JasonRitter and I had a daughter in December, Lynskey, 41, wrote in her first post. Born in New Zealand in 1977 to Kay Lynskey, a former nurse, and Tim Lynskey, an orthopedic surgeon, Lynskey is the oldest of five children, with three brothers and one sister. Parenthood alum Jason Ritter and Castle Rock star Melanie Lynskey got engaged after four years of dating, the new mom revealed in early 2017. The couple is very supportive of each other's respective acting careers, and. She later had supporting roles in But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Coyote Ugly (2000), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), and Shattered Glass (2003). It was so painful, and it wasnt like anything happened its just she became a gigantic, international movie star., Winslet certainly did when James Camerons Titanic hit theaters in 1997.