Career Timeline of Melanie Lynskey: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Melanie Lynskey built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Melanie Lynskey is a New Zealand actress recognized for her portrayals of complex women, particularly in independent films and television. She is known for her ability to master American accents. Lynskey has received several awards, including three Critics' Choice Awards, and has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying her reputation as a talented and versatile performer.
1994: Heavenly Creatures Release
By the time of the release of Heavenly Creatures in 1994, Melanie Lynskey was 17 years old. Her performance as Pauline Parker, a schoolgirl who conspires to kill her mother, alongside Kate Winslet, received significant praise, marking a key moment in her early career.
1994: Film Debut in Heavenly Creatures
In 1994, Melanie Lynskey made her film debut at age 17 in Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures, where she portrayed Pauline Parker, earning critical acclaim.
1995: Best Actress at New Zealand Film Awards
In 1995, Melanie Lynskey was named Best Actress at the New Zealand Film Awards for her performance in Heavenly Creatures.
1996: Minor Role in The Frighteners
In 1996, Melanie Lynskey had a minor role as a policewoman in Peter Jackson's The Frighteners.
1997: Filming Foreign Correspondents
In 1997, Melanie Lynskey filmed Foreign Correspondents in Los Angeles, where she played Melody, a timid receptionist. Filming was notable for its breakthrough use of crowdfunding.
1998: Appeared in Ever After
In 1998, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the film "Ever After", which is one of her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
1999: Role in But I'm a Cheerleader
In 1999, Melanie Lynskey appeared in But I'm a Cheerleader, considered a foremost example of LGBTQ cinema.
1999: Appeared in Four Features
In 1999, Melanie Lynskey appeared in four features, including Detroit Rock City, The Cherry Orchard, Shooters, and But I'm a Cheerleader.
2000: Appearance in Coyote Ugly
In 2000, Melanie Lynskey appeared in Coyote Ugly, portraying Gloria.
2001: Starred in Snakeskin
In 2001, Melanie Lynskey starred in the independent thriller Snakeskin, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, earning her a Best Actress nomination at that year's New Zealand Film Awards.
2002: Character actress in Sweet Home Alabama
In 2002, Lynskey became known as a character actress through her part in Sweet Home Alabama.
2002: Key Role in Sweet Home Alabama
In 2002, Melanie Lynskey played a key role in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama. She also made her television debut in the Stephen King miniseries Rose Red.
2003: Appeared in Two and a Half Men
From 2003, Melanie Lynskey featured in "Two and a Half Men".
2003: Appears in Shattered Glass and Two and a Half Men
In 2003, Melanie Lynskey appeared as Amy Brand in Shattered Glass and began playing Rose in the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men.
2003: Appeared in Shattered Glass
In 2003, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the film "Shattered Glass", which is one of her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2005: Leaves Two and a Half Men as a Series Regular
In 2005, Melanie Lynskey decided to leave Two and a Half Men as a series regular to concentrate on film work, though she returned infrequently as a guest star.
2006: Role in Flags of Our Fathers
In 2006, Melanie Lynskey appeared in Flags of Our Fathers.
2007: Main Ensemble of Drive
In 2007, Melanie Lynskey joined the main ensemble of the Fox series Drive, playing Wendy Patrakas.
January 2008: Comanche Moon Airs on CBS
In January 2008, the miniseries Comanche Moon aired on CBS, featuring Melanie Lynskey as Pearl Coleman.
October 2009: Spotlight Award at Hollywood Film Festival
In October 2009, Melanie Lynskey was presented with a Spotlight Award at the Hollywood Film Festival.
2009: Roles in Away We Go and The Informant!
In 2009, Melanie Lynskey appeared in Away We Go as Munch and in The Informant! as Ginger.
2009: Appeared in Up in the Air and The Informant!
In 2009, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the films "Up in the Air" and "The Informant!", both of which are among her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2009: Roles in Away We Go, Up in the Air, and The Informant!
In 2009, Melanie Lynskey had roles in the movies Away We Go, Up in the Air, and The Informant!.
2010: Role in Helena from the Wedding
In 2010, Melanie Lynskey played an insecure wife in Helena from the Wedding.
2011: Roles in Touchback and Win Win
In 2011, Melanie Lynskey appeared in Touchback and garnered positive notices for her role as Cindy Timmons in Win Win.
2011: Appeared in Win Win
In 2011, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the film "Win Win", which is one of her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2012: Roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Hello I Must Be Going
In 2012, Melanie Lynskey appeared in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and starred in Hello I Must Be Going.
2012: Appeared in Hello I Must Be Going and The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In 2012, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the films "Hello I Must Be Going" and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", both of which are among her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2012: Roles in 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World', 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' and 'Putzel'
In 2012, Melanie Lynskey played Karen in 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World', Aunt Helen in 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', and Sally in 'Putzel'. She found playing Aunt Helen difficult. Her role in 'Putzel' was critically acclaimed, with some critics saying she stole the show.
2012: Lynskey voices animated version of herself for Air New Zealand
In 2012, Melanie Lynskey provided the voice for an animated version of herself in a pre-flight safety video for Air New Zealand.
2012: Lynskey discusses casting as a supporting player
In 2012, Melanie Lynskey spoke about being cast in supporting roles and the challenges of not being a famous actress, noting that studios often prioritize well-known actors for financial security.
2012: Starring role in 'Hello I Must Be Going'
In 2012, Melanie Lynskey starred as Amy Minsky in 'Hello I Must Be Going', playing an unemployed divorcee. This was the first time in her career that she appeared in every scene of a film, which she described as a lot of pressure.
February 2013: Participated in Live Read performance of Glengarry Glen Ross
In February 2013, Melanie Lynskey participated in a Live Read performance of the 1992 film "Glengarry Glen Ross", directed by Jason Reitman, where she played the role of George Aaronow.
April 2014: Emerging Master honouree and roles in multiple films
In April 2014, Melanie Lynskey was named an Emerging Master honouree at the RiverRun International Film Festival. That year, she starred in 'Happy Christmas', had a supporting role in 'They Came Together', played female leads in 'We'll Never Have Paris' and 'Goodbye to All That', and voiced Beatrice in 'Over the Garden Wall'.
2014: Appeared in Happy Christmas
In 2014, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the film "Happy Christmas", which is one of her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2014: Featured on The Thrilling Adventure Hour
In 2014, Melanie Lynskey began featuring on several occasions as part of "The Thrilling Adventure Hour", a staged podcast performed monthly in Los Angeles.
February 2015: Final Episode of Two and a Half Men
In February 2015, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the final episode of Two and a Half Men.
2015: Appeared in Togetherness
From 2015, Melanie Lynskey featured in "Togetherness".
2015: Role as Michelle Pierson in 'Togetherness'
In 2015, Melanie Lynskey began playing Michelle Pierson in HBO's 'Togetherness'. She referred to Jay Duplass as her creative soulmate.
2015: Starred in Nicki Bluhm music video
In 2015, Melanie Lynskey starred in the music video for the song "Waiting on Love" by Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers, alongside her then-boyfriend Jason Ritter.
2015: Two and a Half Men Concludes
In February 2015, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the final episode of Two and a Half Men.
March 2016: Cancellation of 'Togetherness'
In March 2016, HBO announced that 'Togetherness' would not be renewed for a third season. Lynskey compared this cancellation to having her "heart broken by someone I'm still in love with".
2016: Featured on The Thrilling Adventure Hour
In 2016, Melanie Lynskey continued featuring on several occasions as part of "The Thrilling Adventure Hour", a staged podcast performed monthly in Los Angeles.
2016: Award for 'The Intervention' and roles in BBC comedy and independent films
In 2016, Melanie Lynskey received the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance at the Sundance Film Festival for her role in 'The Intervention'. Also in 2016, she starred in the BBC Two comedy 'Our Ex-Wife', and had prominent roles in the independent features 'Rainbow Time', 'Little Boxes', and 'The Great & the Small'.
2016: Lead Role in The Intervention
In 2016, Melanie Lynskey starred in The Intervention, solidifying her presence in independent cinema.
2017: Awards and roles in multiple projects
In 2017, 'I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore' won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Festival, and Melanie Lynskey received a Gotham Independent Film Award nomination. She also headlined 'And Then I Go', starred in 'Sunshine', 'The Changeover', and appeared in the horror film 'XX'.
2017: Appeared in I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore and And Then I Go
In 2017, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the films "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" and "And Then I Go", both of which are among her most acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2017: Lynskey speaks about taking risks in film work
In 2017, Melanie Lynskey discussed her preference for telling stories about complex women in independent films, highlighting the creative opportunities found in low-budget productions.
2017: Lead Role in I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore
In 2017, Melanie Lynskey starred in I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, which helped establish her as a prominent figure in independent cinema.
July 2018: Premiere of 'Castle Rock'
In July 2018, 'Castle Rock', a supernatural horror series starring Melanie Lynskey as Molly Strand, premiered on Hulu. Critics praised the cast's strong performances.
2018: Appeared in Castle Rock
In 2018, Melanie Lynskey appeared in Hulu's Castle Rock.
May 2020: Appearance in 'Mrs. America'
In May 2020, Melanie Lynskey appeared as Rosemary Thomson in the FX on Hulu period miniseries 'Mrs. America'. Critics described her performance as a standout.
2020: Appeared in Mrs. America
In 2020, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the TV show "Mrs. America".
November 2021: Premiere of 'Yellowjackets'
In November 2021, 'Yellowjackets' premiered, featuring Melanie Lynskey as Shauna Sadecki. Her performance was highly praised.
2021: Appeared in Yellowjackets
From 2021, Melanie Lynskey featured in "Yellowjackets".
2021: Appears in Don't Look Up
In 2021, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the movie Don't Look Up.
2021: Roles in 'Lady of the Manor' and 'Don't Look Up'
In 2021, Melanie Lynskey starred in 'Lady of the Manor', embracing physical humor. She also appeared in 'Don't Look Up', playing June Mindy. Her performances in both were well-received.
2022: Appeared in Candy and Won Critics' Choice Award
In 2022, Melanie Lynskey appeared in Candy and won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress for her role in Yellowjackets.
2022: Appeared in Candy
In 2022, Melanie Lynskey appeared in the TV show "Candy".
2022: Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress
In 2022, Melanie Lynskey won Best Actress in a Drama Series at the 27th Critics' Choice Awards for her work on 'Yellowjackets'.
January 2023: Guest role in 'The Last of Us'
In January 2023, Melanie Lynskey appeared as Kathleen Coghlan in HBO's 'The Last of Us', earning an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
October 2023: Narrated "Memoirs of a Hamster" for Storyline Online
In October 2023, Melanie Lynskey narrated Devin Scillian's "Memoirs of a Hamster" for Storyline Online, a child literacy initiative by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
2023: Emmy Nomination for The Last of Us
In 2023, Melanie Lynskey received an Emmy nomination for Guest Actress for her work on HBO's The Last of Us.
May 2024: Release of "The Tattooist of Auschwitz"
In May 2024, "The Tattooist of Auschwitz", a Peacock historical drama series starring Melanie Lynskey as Heather Morris, was released. The show received mixed reviews, with some praising Lynskey's chemistry with Harvey Keitel, while others criticized the quality of her wig.
2024: Judge for Heath Ledger Scholarship
In 2024, Melanie Lynskey was selected as one of the judges for the Heath Ledger Scholarship, which provides financial support and mentorship to emerging Australian talent.
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