Jane Krakowski

Tony Award winning actress Jane Krakowski has found success onstage, on television, and even in film. She is best known, however, for her stint on the television series Ally McBeal and most recently, 30 Rock.

Jane Krajkowksi, later changed to Jane Krakowski, was born October 11, 1968 in Parsippany, New Jersey. She made her onscreen debut in 1983 with the made-for-TV film No Big Deal starring Kevin Dillon. She also established her comedic skills in the John Hughes screenplay Vacation starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D Angelo, Randy Quaid, and Anthony Michael Hall.

She received her first major break with the soap opera Search for Tomorrow where she remained from 1984 to 1986. For her time with the show, she earned two Daytime Emmy nominations.

In 1990, Krakowski demonstrated her penchant for musical theater when she appeared with Julie Walters, Liza Minnelli, and Shelley Winters in the film Stepping Out.

But it was 1997 that would change her career forever. When she won the role of Elaine Vassal on the new David E Kelley show Ally McBeal, she had no way of knowing how far it could launch her career. Along with costars Calista Flockhart, Greg Germann, Courtney Thorne Smith, Vonda Shepard, and Portia de Rossi, Krakowski enjoyed the show’s five-season stint and her newfound status as a household name. Once again earning recognition from the acting community at large, Krakowski was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1999.

With the show’s conclusion, she kept busy appearing in various films and television projects such as 2004’s Alfie with Jude Law, Marisa Tomei, Omar Epps, and Nia Long as well as A Christmas Carol with Kelsey Grammer as the miser Ebenezer Scrooge. The film also featured Jason Alexander and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Although her career stalled somewhat with the end of Ally McBeal, it was revived in a big way with her new television series 30 Rock. Becoming a major surprise hit, the series also features Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Katrina Bowden, and Alec Baldwin.

Her latest film, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, is in post-production and due for a 2008 release. The film is set to star Joan Cusack, Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, and Chris O Donnell.

A longtime devotee of the stage, Krakowski appeared in 1989’s Grand Hotel and 1995’s Company. She won a Tony Award for her stint with the Broadway play Nine, and she took home the 2006 Olivier Award for the role of Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls opposite Ewan McGregor. Krakowski is a trained singer and has found great success putting these skills to use onstage.

Outside of television, stage, and film, others may recognize her from her portrayal of Wanda in the Dixie Chicks’ music video for “Goodbye Earl” in 2000. It also featured notable actors Dennis Franz and Lauren Holly.