Jennifer Coolidge took home her first Golden Globe in 2022 for her role in the comedy series White Lotus, and her heartfelt acceptance speech quickly went viral. The actress opened up about feeling like an outsider in Hollywood, despite years of hard work. She credited a handful of directors who believed in her talent for helping her navigate an industry that often overlooked her.
Before moving to Los Angeles in the late ’80s, Coolidge lived in a small town near Boston. In LA, she joined the Groundlings Main Company, a well-known comedy troupe. Although she arrived in Hollywood at 23, it wasn’t until seven years later that she landed her first television role. In interviews, she has spoken about the difficulties of her journey, recalling how a casting agent once told her she wasn’t good enough to be in a serious film.
For those who remember the early 2000s, Jennifer Coolidge is instantly recognizable from the American Pie franchise. The 1999 film, American Pie, sparked controversy and launched a wave of raunchy teen comedies. Coolidge, at 38, played one of the film’s most unforgettable characters—Stifler’s mom. Following this role, she was often typecast as the sexy, quirky, middle-aged blonde with a voluptuous figure.
While it might seem that American Pie pigeonholed her into certain roles, it actually opened many doors for her. It led to memorable parts in films like Legally Blonde, guest appearances on Friends, and numerous parodies throughout the 2000s. Coolidge also showed her range, taking on serious roles, such as portraying a former escort in the 2008 drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
The 2010s were quieter for Coolidge. She had a recurring role on Two Broke Girls and appeared in the underwhelming comedy Like a Boss alongside Salma Hayek. But after 2020, her career took a turn for the better. In September 2021, she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Tanya McQuoid, a wealthy yet tragic heiress, in White Lotus.
White Lotus, a biting social satire, tackles issues like gender and race, and Coolidge’s comedic timing and ability to convey deeper emotions made her a standout. Director Mike White gave her the complex role of Tanya, which proved to be a career-changing opportunity. Coolidge embraced the challenge and succeeded. Her character, Tanya, along with her husband, are the only ones to appear in both seasons of White Lotus, signaling a new chapter of success for the actress.
In 2023, Jennifer Coolidge once again took the stage, this time to accept her second Golden Globe for her work on White Lotus. Like the year before, her acceptance speech was emotional and genuine. As her career continues to soar, it’s clear that Jennifer Coolidge’s well-deserved resurgence is far from over, and we’ll be watching as she reaches new heights.
