Biography for
Melanie Lynskey More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

16 May 1977, New Plymouth, New Zealand

Birth Name

Melanie Jayne Lynskey

Nickname

Mel

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

At 16 years old, Melanie Lynskey captivated the film world with her explosive portrayal of an outcast teen whose relationship with best friend Kate Winslet spirals frighteningly out of control, in Peter Jackson's Academy Award-nominated Heavenly Creatures (1994). Despite spending three years out of the limelight to study theatre at university and re-locate from New Zealand to Los Angeles, Lynskey made a welcome return to the silver screen when she landed a key role in Andy Tennant's acclaimed romantic fantasy, Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998), opposite Drew Barrymore. Parts in Detroit Rock City (1999), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), The Cherry Orchard (1999), Coyote Ugly (2000), and the award-winning Snakeskin (2001) came next, followed by appearances in Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Abandon (2002) and Shattered Glass (2003).

In recent years, Lynskey's reputation as a versatile character actor has seen her score major parts in such notable projects as Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Sam Mendes's Away We Go (2009), Steven Soderbergh's The Informant! (2009), Tim Blake Nelson's Leaves of Grass (2009), Jason Reitman's Best Picture Oscar nominee, Up in the Air (2009/I), and Thomas McCarthy's critically lauded Win Win (2011). High-profile support roles - opposite the likes of Matt Damon, Edward Norton and George Clooney - aside, smaller projects such as Show of Hands (2008), Helena from the Wedding (2010) and Eye of the Hurricane (2011) have shown that she is also a confident and charismatic leading lady.

In addition to an impressive string of film credits, Lynskey has worked extensively in television since making her small-screen debut in Stephen King's "Rose Red" (2002): alongside pivotal roles in the action-packed "Drive" (2007) and epic western "Comanche Moon" (2008), she's guested on various hit shows, including "The Shield" (2002), "The L Word" (2004), "Psych" (2006) and "Memphis Beat" (2010). However, she's probably best known to TV audiences for her endearing portrayal of Rose, Charlie Sheen's obsessive neighbor-turned-stalker, on the Emmy Award-winning "Two and a Half Men" (2003).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Nate

Spouse

Jimmi Simpson

(14 April 2007 - present)

Trivia

Is a vegetarian.

She had ambitions, prior to Heavenly Creatures (1994), to become a film critic.

Considered one of New Zealand's most internationally successful actors.

She attended Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.

Named one of E! Online's "Sizzlin' Sixteen" in 2003.

Has three younger brothers and one younger sister.

Is a good friend with Detroit Rock City (1999) co-star Sam Huntington.

Auditioned for roles in The Crucible (1996), Scream (1996/I) and Cousin Bette (1998).

Had a production company called Velvet Morning Productions.

She was cast as Pauline Parker in Heavenly Creatures (1994) two weeks before filming began. Co-writer Fran Walsh discovered her at the last minute whilst scouring local high schools for Parker lookalikes.

Was shortlisted for the role of Valerie Veran in Little Nicky (2000).

Frequently works with past co-stars.

Friends with Natasha Lyonne.

She has a dog named Mouse, a chihuahua-dachshund mix.

Received coaching from co-star Sarah Peirse for her role in Heavenly Creatures (1994).

Was FilmForce Celeb of the Day on October 18, 2002.

Was the first person to kiss Kate Winslet in a film (Heavenly Creatures (1994)).

One of her best friends is Emily Deschanel, sister of Zooey Deschanel.

Was at one time slated to appear in an episode of "Angel" (1999), in a role written especially for her by the show's producer, Joss Whedon.

Turned down a role in Mansfield Park (1999).

Friend of Trini Alvarado.

She had only just turned 18 when she played a deputy in the film, The Frighteners (1996). As principle photography was from May to November 1995.

Supporter of PETA and the Humane Society.

Personal Quotes

[on life after Heavenly Creatures (1994)] I think the hardest thing was to go back to school. It's a pretty catty environment at an all-girls school and things happened. For example, "60 Minutes" (1993) came to do a story on me and followed me around for a day. At school you just don't need that. And then I would have to go to New York or Sydney for a week and take time out. And while they were amazing experiences, it was hard because I had these two completely separate lives. I think a lot of people resented that. It put me outside of them a bit.

I don't think I'll ever be a movie star...

You always see those movies that have amazing casts, and it's funny to be in one of them. It's a list of all these fantastic people--and, oh, me as well.

If I ever have time off and don't know what's coming up next, I get really nervous and think, Oh well, it's probably over.

I always try to do something really different from the last thing. After Abandon (2002), where I was this creepy girl, I just wanted to play someone happy, and then Sweet Home Alabama (2002) came along, which was perfect.

I always thought I'd be in New Zealand doing theater. Everything I've done is greater than my greatest dreams.

[on the success of "Two and a Half Men" (2003)] It seems funny to me that it's all worked so well. I have so much respect for the people who do this. It's so hard to keep the energy up and to make people laugh.

[on working with Charlie Sheen] We get on terribly. I can't stand him. No, he's great. He's really quiet and shy and sweet.

[on Charlie Sheen's reaction to her New Zealand accent] He turned around and said, "What's this, uh, voice? What are you doing?" I said, "I'm just talking." Then he said, "Hmmm. Is that some kind of actor-y thing?"

[on making "Rose Red" (2002)] I wasn't allowed to do anything quirky, or to have an interesting accent. So the challenge lay in making her as interesting as I could without making her unusual. And that was hard!

The first audition I ever did, the casting director said, "I don't know why you're here. You're never going to work in America. You don't look right. You don't have the right kind of personality. I don't even know if you can do an American accent. Maybe you can try England." Other people were nice, but that's the first thing I ever heard when I came here. It made me more determined.

[on meeting fans] When I was in Montreal this girl came up to me and said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Melanie Lynskey?" Some come up and say that they were in school with me, or that I am a friend of someone they know.