Jane Lynch was born on July 14, 1960, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and grew up in nearby Dolton. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Illinois State University in 1982, then a Master of Fine Arts from Cornell University in 1984. She returned to Chicago, where she honed her craft for nearly 15 years with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Second City’s touring company.

Lynch’s big break came in 2000 when she was cast in Best in Show. She went on to star in several films and TV shows, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Fox’s Glee, where her iconic role as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester turned her into a household name. Other notable acting roles include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023) and Only Murders in the Building (2021–2025).

In addition to her acting career, Lynch built an equally impressive hosting resume. She hosted Hollywood Game Night on NBC  and NBC’s revival of The Weakest Link. In 2025, The Weakest Link moved to Fox as Celebrity Weakest Link, where she continues to host the show. Beyond her acting and TV hosting career, Lynch is openly gay and has long been a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.