Melanie Lynskey
Biography
Melanie Lynskey is a New Zealand actress born on May 16, 1977, in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. She is known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American dialects. Lynskey primarily works in independent films. She has received several awards and nominations, including Critics' Choice Awards, a HCA Award, a Gracie, a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, and a Sundance Special Jury Award. Additionally, she has been nominated for Gotham, Satellite, Saturn, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen Actors Guild, and Primetime Emmy Awards. With 106 known credits, Lynskey is a prolific actress in the film industry.
Career overview
Melanie Lynskey is a New Zealand actress known for her portrayals of complex women. She has worked predominantly in independent films. Lynskey's command of American dialects is notable in her acting career.
Lynskey has been involved in a significant number of projects, with 106 known credits. She has appeared in a variety of film and television productions. Her acting career spans multiple genres and formats.
Lynskey is a recipient of several awards and nominations, including Critics' Choice Awards, a HCA Award, a Gracie, a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, and a Sundance Special Jury Award. She has also received nominations for a Gotham, Satellite, Saturn, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen Actors Guild, and Primetime Emmy Award.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Melanie Lynskey.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
106 titles- Don't Say Good Luck (2026)
- Hollywood Squares (2025) as Self
- Griffin in Summer (2025) as Helen
- Pike River (2025) as Anna Osborne
- Matlock (2024) as Debra Palmer
- After Midnight (2024) as Self
- Hot Ones Versus (2024) as Self
- The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024) as Heather Morris
- The Making of The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024) as Self
- The Last of Us (2023) as Kathleen Coghlan
- Poker Face (2023) as Regina Gilvary
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022)
- Candy (2022) as Betty Gore
- Don't Look Up (2021) as June Mindy
- Yellowjackets (2021) as Shauna Sadecki
- Lady of the Manor (2021) as Hannah
- Mrs. America (2020) as Rosemary Thomson
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Summer Camp Island (2018) as Sun (voice)
- Castle Rock (2018) as Molly Strand
- Sadie (2018) as Rae
- Young Sheldon (2017) as Dora Ericson
- Girlboss (2017) as Gail
- XX (2017) as Mary (segment "The Birthday Party")
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017) as Laura
- I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) as Ruth Kimke
- The Changeover (2017) as Kate Chant
- Sunshine (2017) as Zara Skelton
- 1 Mile To You (2017) as Coach Rowan
- And Then I Go (2017) as Janice
- Little Boxes (2017) as Gina
- Easy (2016) as Beth
- Future-Worm! (2016) as Megan (voice)
- The Intervention (2016) as Annie
- Folk Hero & Funny Guy (2016) as Becky
- Rainbow Time (2016) as Lindsay
- The Great & The Small (2016) as Margaret
- Our Ex-Wife (2016) as Sara
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015) as Self - Guest
- Togetherness (2015) as Michelle Pierson
- Digging for Fire (2015) as Squiggy
- Behind Over the Garden Wall (2015) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014) as Self
- Over the Garden Wall (2014) as Beatrice (voice)
- Celebrity Name Game (2014) as Self
- They Came Together (2014) as Brenda
- Goodbye to All That (2014) as Annie Wall
- We'll Never Have Paris (2014) as Devon
- Happy Christmas (2014) as Kelly
- Chu and Blossom (2014) as Miss Shoemaker
- The Big Ask (2014) as Hannah
- Mom (2013) as Shannon
- A Kiwi Legend (2013) as Self
- Key & Peele (2012) as Fiance
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) as Aunt Helen
- Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) as Karen Amalfi
- Hello I Must Be Going (2012) as Amy
- Eye of the Hurricane (2012) as Amelia Kyte
- Putzel (2012) as Sally
- Win Win (2011) as Cindy Timmons
- Touchback (2011) as Macy
- Helena from the Wedding: Cast Interviews (2011) as Self
- Helena from the Wedding (2010) as Alice
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Up in the Air (2009) as Julie Bingham
- The Informant! (2009) as Ginger Whitacre
- Away We Go (2009) as Munch
- Leaves of Grass (2009) as Colleen
- The Life & Times of Tim (2008) as Becky (voice)
- Comanche Moon (2008) as Pearl Coleman
- A Quiet Little Marriage (2008) as Monique
- Show of Hands (2008) as Jess
- Drive (2007) as Wendy Patrakas
- Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007) as Pat (uncredited)
- Psych (2006) as Emily Bloom
- Flags of Our Fathers (2006) as Pauline Harnois
- Park (2006) as Sheryl
- Say Uncle (2006) as Susan
- American Dad! (2005) as Sharon (voice)
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005) as Kate
- House (2004) as Natalie Tavares
- The L Word (2004) as Clea Mason
- The Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe Cadwaulder (2004) as Zoe Cadwaulder
- Two and a Half Men (2003) as Rose
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Shattered Glass (2003) as Amy Brand
- Claustrophobia (2003) as Lauren
- The Shield (2002) as Marcy
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002) as Lurlynn
- Rose Red (2002) as Rachel Wheaton
- Abandon (2002) as Mousy Julie
- Shooters (2002) as Marie
- Foreign Correspondents (2001) as Melody
- Snakeskin (2001) as Alice
- Big Brother (2000) as Self - Actress, 'Two & a ½ Men'
- Coyote Ugly (2000) as Gloria
- But I'm a Cheerleader (2000) as Hilary
- Detroit Rock City (1999) as Beth Bumsteen
- The Cherry Orchard (1999) as Dunyasha
- EverAfter (1998) as Jacqueline de Ghent
- The Frighteners (1996) as Deputy
- Heavenly Creatures (1994) as Pauline Parker
- This Morning (1988) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Melanie Lynskey best known for?
Melanie Lynskey is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Don't Say Good Luck (2026), Hollywood Squares (2025), Matlock (2024), After Midnight (2024).
When and where was Melanie Lynskey born?
Melanie Lynskey was born on May 16, 1977 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.
How many credits does Melanie Lynskey have?
Melanie Lynskey has accumulated over 106 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1988 to 2026.
What is Melanie Lynskey's background in cinema and television?
Melanie Lynskey is a New Zealand actress born on May 16, 1977, in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. She is known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American dialects. Lynskey primarily works in independent films. She has received several awards and nominations, including Critics' Choice Awards, a...