Jennifer Westfeldt

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Jennifer Westfeldt
Westfeldt in 2009
Born (1970-02-02) February 2, 1970 (age 54)
Guilford, Connecticut, U.S.
Alma materYale University
Occupation(s)Actress, screenwriter
Years active1997–present
Partner(s)Jon Hamm
(1997–2015)

Jennifer Westfeldt (born February 2, 1970)[1][2] is an American actress, screenwriter, and producer. She is best known for co-writing, co-producing, and starring in the 2002 indie film Kissing Jessica Stein,[3] for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Screenplay and a Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical. She is also known for writing, producing, starring in, and making her directorial debut in the 2012 indie film, Friends with Kids,[4] which was included on New York Magazine's Top Ten Movies of 2012 list,[5] as well as NPR's Top 12 of 2012.[6]

Westfeldt's television work includes series regular and recurring roles on Grey's Anatomy, 24, Queen America, and Notes from the Underbelly, among others, and guest-starring turns on This Is Us[7] and Girls.[8] She recently completed a four-season arc as Pauline Turner Brooks on TVLand's series Younger, created by Darren Star.[9]

Westfeldt made her Broadway debut in 2003 in the revival of Wonderful Town[10] opposite Donna Murphy, for which she received a 2004 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical,[11] a Theater World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut,[12] and a Drama League Award for her role as Eileen Sherwood.[13] Other notable stage credits include the world premieres of Nell Benjamin's The Explorers Club at Manhattan Theater Club, directed by Marc Bruni;[14] Nicky Silver's Too Much Sun at The Vineyard Theater opposite Linda Lavin, directed by Mark Brokaw;[15] and Scott Z. Burns' The Library at The Public Theater opposite Chloe Grace Moretz, directed by Steven Soderbergh.[16]

Early life and education[edit]

Westfeldt is the daughter of Constance Perelson, a therapist, and Patrick M. Westfeldt Jr., an electrical engineer.[17][18][19] Her stepfather is Michael Perelson, also a therapist. Her older sister is journalist Amy Westfeldt.[20] Westfeldt grew up in Guilford, Connecticut, where she attended Guilford High School. She then attended Yale University, where she received a B.A. in Theater Studies. While at Yale, she starred in numerous plays and musicals and sang in the a cappella group Redhot & Blue. Her family is a part of the Swedish nobility, with the original name Wästfelt (see Wästfelt/Westfeldt).

Career[edit]

Upon graduating from Yale University with a B.A. in Theater Studies, Westfeldt started her career as a New York-based theater actress, starring in dozens of regional and Off-Broadway productions, including the long-running Off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks.[21] In 1997, she was cast as a series regular on the 20th Century Fox/ABC sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, alongside Ryan Reynolds, Traylor Howard and Richard Ruccolo.[22]

Kissing Jessica Stein[edit]

In 1997 Westfeldt co-wrote and co-starred with Heather Juergensen in an Off-Broadway play based on a series of sketches called Lipschtick: The Story of Two Women Seeking The Perfect Shade, which caught the attention of major Hollywood studios.[23] The play was optioned by Radar Pictures to be made into a film, but after two years of studio development, Westfeldt and Juergensen bought back the rights to the script and decided to make the film independently.

Kissing Jessica Stein debuted at the LA International Film Festival in 2001, where it won the Audience Award for Best Feature, and a Special Jury Award for Writing and Acting for Westfeldt and Juergensen.[24] The film was released by Fox Searchlight Pictures in March 2002.

Westfeldt received the Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role as Jessica, and an Indie Spirit Nomination for Best First Screenplay. The film won the Audience Favorites Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Miami Film Festival, Best Feature at the Louisville Jewish Film Festival, and the GLAAD Media Award, and it was included on more than a dozen top ten lists in 2002.[25] Variety wrote, "A fresh take on sex and the single girl, this buoyant, well-crafted romantic comedy blends pitch-perfect performances with deliciously smart writing."[26] In Newsweek David Ansen said the film "knows what it wants, what its limits are, and delivers its delights accordingly."[27]

In 2014, The Advocate listed the movie as an essential film for LGBTQ+ viewers that "encourages exploration and self-awareness." In 2020, Kvellar writer Mara Reinstein looked back on the impact that this "authentic" and "nuanced" movie had, writing, "I can't overstate how much Kissing Jessica Stein pioneered the gay rom-com."[28]

Other film work[edit]

Westfeldt's next feature, Ira & Abby, marked her first solo screenwriting effort. The film debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2006, where it won the Audience Award for Best Feature.[29] It was acquired by Magnolia Pictures and released in the fall of 2007 to strong reviews.[30][31][32]

Westfeldt won Best Actress at the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen in 2006 for her performance as Abby, where Ira & Abby also took home the Jury Prize for Best Feature.[33] The film won Audience Award for Best Feature at the Boston Jewish Film Festival.

In 2011, Westfeldt wrote, produced, starred in, and made her directorial debut in Friends with Kids, which was a breakout hit at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.[34] Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions obtained the rights to the film, and it was released in 2012. Westfeldt starred opposite Adam Scott, with a cast including Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Chris O'Dowd, Ed Burns, Megan Fox and Jon Hamm.

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called Friends with Kids "an indelibly funny and touching comedy with a real sting in its tail," and deemed Westfeldt "an actress of rare wit and grace, and now a filmmaker with a keen eye for nuance. In front of the camera and behind it, she's the live current that pulls us in and makes us care. Westfeldt is the pulse of Friends With Kids, presenting us with life in all of its vibrant, messy sprawl."[35]

The film was included on New York Magazine's Top Ten List,[36] as well as NPR's Top 12 of 2012.

Other film roles include the 2016 short Lemon opposite Noah Bean, which premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival and, in 2017, a supporting role in director Marielle Heller’s Can You Ever Forgive Me? opposite Melissa McCarthy, which later ended up on the cutting room floor.[37]

In 2017, Westfeldt produced the documentary Circus Kid, based on Lorenzo Pisoni's life growing up in a circus family, which was bought and distributed by Sundance Now.[38]

Westfeldt sold to Amazon The Idea of You, an adapted screenplay based on the novel of the same name by Robinne Lee, which is set to star Anne Hathaway.[39] The film completed shooting in December 2022 and will be released in 2024.

Television[edit]

After one season on Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, 20th Century Fox Studios cast Westfeldt as the lead of another series, the short-lived Holding the Baby on Fox.

She went on to star in multiple pilots, including the WB's The Gene Pool opposite Chris Eigeman; The Untitled Paul Reiser Pilot on F/X; and Steve Levitan's Dante on NBC, opposite Morris Chestnut and Kevin Hart.[40] In 2002, Westfeldt, along with her journalist sister Amy, sold a one-hour newsroom drama pitch to Touchstone/ABC; Westfeldt was attached to star. Called The Independent, the series was loosely inspired by her sister's experiences as a career journalist at the Associated Press.[citation needed]

In 2006, she was cast as the female lead in ABC's Notes from the Underbelly, which ran for two seasons. Andrew Johnston wrote in TimeOut: "Jennifer Westfeldt is a total babe, with physical-comedy skills that, if properly honed, could approach Lucille Ball territory. In other words, she was basically born for TV. [Westfeldt] gets to show her serious side, too, and if the series gives her enough exposure to start competing with Hope Davis and Laura Linney for blond-WASP roles, Underbelly will have more than justified its existence."[41] In 2010, with Alan Ball attached as executive producer, she sold a TV dramedy to HBO with her attached to star about the bird's nest custody agreement in divorce cases.[citation needed]

Her varied TV credits include memorable arcs on Younger, Queen America (opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones), Grey's Anatomy, 24, Judging Amy, and Hack; and guest-starring turns on NBC's hit drama This Is Us, HBO's Girls, and Childrens Hospital, among others.

She provided the voice of Kit Luntayne in the Martha Speaks episodes "Cora! Cora! Cora!" and "Cora Encore!" on PBS.

In 2022 she wrote several episodes of the Showtime series The First Lady.[42]

Theater[edit]

Westfeldt made her Broadway debut in the fall of 2003 in the critical and commercial hit Wonderful Town, starring opposite two-time Tony winner Donna Murphy and directed by three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall. Westfeldt received a 2004 Tony nomination,[43] a Theater World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut,[44] and a Drama League Award for her role as Eileen Sherwood.[45]

Of her Broadway debut, John Simon of New York magazine wrote: "Jennifer Westfeldt leaps onto the Broadway stage in full-fledged acting and singing splendor as the adorable Eileen."[46] Ben Brantley of the New York Times wrote, "Jennifer Westfeldt makes a charming Broadway debut as Eileen, Ruth's boy-magnet of a sister." "Ms. Westfeldt's delightfully un-self-conscious interpretation suggests a virginal answer to the Vargas pinup girls," he added.[47]

Westfeldt's other stage work includes the world premieres of Scott Z. Burns' The Library at The Public Theater opposite Chloe Grace-Moretz, directed by Steven Soderbergh;[48] Nell Benjamin’s The Explorers Club at Manhattan Theater Club, directed by Marc Bruni;[49] Nicky Silver's Too Much Sun at The Vineyard Theater opposite Linda Lavin, directed by Mark Brokaw;[50] Cusi Cram's A Lifetime Burning at Primary Stages, directed by Pam MacKinnon;[51] Joe Gilford’s Finks opposite Josh Radnor at The Powerhouse Theater/NYSAF, directed by Charlie Stratton;[52] Stephen Belber's The Power of Duff opposite Greg Kinnear at The Powerhouse Theater/NYSAF, directed by Peter Dubois;[53] and Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros' Big Sky at The Geffen opposite Jon Tenney, directed by John Rando.[54] In 2022 she received glowing reviews from the New York Times for her performance as Mama in Liba Vaynberg' s play The Gett.[55]

Personal life[edit]

Westfeldt with former boyfriend Jon Hamm

Westfeldt was in a long-term relationship with actor Jon Hamm from 1997 to 2015. She divides her time between New York City and Los Angeles.

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2001 See Jane Run Unknown Film debut
2001 Kissing Jessica Stein Jessica Stein Also co-producer and writer
2004 How to Lose Your Lover Val
2005 Keep Your Distance Melody Carpenter
2006 Ira & Abby Abby Willoughby Also executive producer and writer
2011 Friends with Kids Julie Keller Also director, producer and writer
2016 10 Crosby Elegant Woman Short film
2016 Lemon Penelope Short film
2017 Circus Kid — Documentary; producer only
2018 Can You Ever Forgive Me? Ms. Whitman Deleted scenes
2023 Parachute TBA
2024 The Idea of You — Writer only; completed

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place Melissa Series regular (13 episodes)
1998 Holding the Baby Kelly O'Malley Series regular (13 episodes)
1999 Snoops Irene Hollis Episode: "Separation Anxiety"
2000 Judging Amy Leisha Eldon 3 episodes
2001 The Gene Pool Jane Anderson Television movie
2003 Hack Emily Carson 2 episodes
2003 Untitled New York Pilot Catherine Television movie
2005 Numb3rs Dr. Karen Fisher Episode: "Man Hunt"
2005 Dante Unknown Television movie
2007 Wainy Days Nora Episode: "Dorvid Days"
2007–2008 Notes from the Underbelly Lauren Stone Series regular (23 episodes)
2009 Private Practice Jen Harmon Episode: "Ex-Life"
2009 Before You Say 'I Do' Jane Gardner Television movie
2009 Grey's Anatomy Jen Harmon 3 episodes
2010 24 Meredith Reed Recurring role (6 episodes)
2012 Martha Speaks Kit (voice role) Episode: "Cora! Cora!/Cora Encore!"
2012 Childrens Hospital Jessica Meetcher Episode: "Behind the Scenes"
2014 Girls Annalise Pressler-Goings Episode: "Only Child"
2017–2021 Younger Pauline Turner-Brooks Recurring role (13 episodes)
2018 Queen America Mandi Green Recurring role (3 episodes)
2019 Mad About You Donna Lawson Episode: "Real Estate for Beginners"
2020 This Is Us Claire Episode: "A Hell of a Week: Part Two"
2022 The First Lady — Writer only; 4 episodes

Theater[edit]

Year Title Role Venue
2003–2004 Wonderful Town Eileen Sherwood Broadway musical
2008 Finks Natalie Meltzer The Powerhouse Theater/NYSAF
2009 A Lifetime Burning Emma Primary Stages
2011 Three Sisters Masha LA Theaterworks
2012 The Power of Duff Sue The Powerhouse Theater
2013 The Explorers Club Phyllida Spot-Hume Manhattan Theater Club
2014 Too Much Sun Kitty The Vineyard Theater
2014 The Library Elizabeth Gabriel The Public Theater
2016 Big Sky Jen The Geffen
2016 The Money Shot Karen LA Theaterworks
2022 The Gett Mama Rattlestick Theater

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Association Category Work Result
2003 Golden Satellite Award Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Kissing Jessica Stein Won
Independent Spirit Awards Best First Screenplay Nominated
Los Angeles International Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Writing and Acting Won
2004 Tony Awards Featured Actress in a Musical Wonderful Town Nominated
Theater World Award Outstanding Broadway Debut Won
Drama League Award Won
2007 HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Best Actress Ira & Abby Won

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  2. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt: Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  3. ^ "'Kissing Jessica Stein' release date". google.com. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Hill, Logan (September 13, 2011). "Jennifer Westfeldt on Her Toronto Hit, Friends With Kids". Vulture. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  5. ^ Edelstein, David (December 2, 2012). "David Edelstein's Top Ten Movies of 2012". Vulture. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "David Edelstein's Top 12 Movies of 2012". NPR.org. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "'This Is Us' asks us to put our faith in M. Night Shyamalan". TV Club. January 29, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Girls Recap: The True Struggles of Humanity". Vulture. February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  9. ^ Younger (TV Series 2015– ) - IMDb, retrieved April 12, 2021
  10. ^ Kaufman, Joanne (December 9, 2003). "It's a Wonderful Town For Jennifer Westfeldt". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "2004 Tony Award Nominations Announced | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. May 10, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". www.theatreworldawards.org. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  13. ^ Simonson, Robert (May 14, 2004). "Wife, Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV and Jackman Win 2004 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  14. ^ Soloski, Alexis (June 13, 2013). "Gleefully Banging on Closed Doors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  15. ^ "TOO MUCH SUN | By Nicky Silver | Directed by Mark Brokaw". Vineyard Theatre. June 24, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  16. ^ Stasio, Marilyn (April 16, 2014). "Off Broadway Review: 'The Library' Directed by Steven Soderbergh". Variety. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "meyers westfeldt". Google news. July 15, 1994. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  18. ^ "jennifer-westfeldt connie". Google news. March 7, 2002. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  19. ^ Rosen, Steven (September 13, 2007). "Film: Opposites attract—and seek therapy—in 'Ira & Abby'". Jewish Journal. Retrieved March 12, 2012. ...the 36-year-old Jewish-raised, Yale-educated actress...
  20. ^ "Amy Westfeldt". NewsGuard. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  21. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt on Her Burning Stage Role and Mad Romance". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  22. ^ Fortenberry, John (July 22, 1998), Two Guys, a Girl and a Landlord (Comedy, Romance), Traylor Howard, Ryan Reynolds, Richard Ruccolo, Jennifer Westfeldt, In Front Productions, 20th Century Fox Television, retrieved April 30, 2021
  23. ^ "Forget the Usual Labels". Los Angeles Times. March 10, 2002. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  24. ^ "<i> Kissing Jessica Stein </i> takes IFP/West Los Angeles Film Festival award (3768)". www.advocate.com. May 1, 2001. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  25. ^ Kissing Jessica Stein - IMDb, retrieved April 30, 2021
  26. ^ Loewenstein, Lael (May 2, 2001). "Kissing Jessica Stein". Variety. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  27. ^ Newsweek Staff (March 17, 2002). "Jessica Delivers". Newsweek. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  28. ^ "'Kissing Jessica Stein' Is the Pioneering Jewish Lesbian Rom-Com That Will Lift Your Spirits". Kveller. November 25, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  29. ^ "2006 Los Angeles Film Festival Announces Winners". Creative Planet Network. February 15, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  30. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt writes her own story line in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. March 8, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  31. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (September 14, 2007). "Out of His Navel and Into a Life". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  32. ^ Morgenstern, Joe (September 14, 2007). "Mortensen Thrills In Rich, Complex 'Eastern Promises'". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  33. ^ "US Comedy Arts Festival (2007)". IMDb. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  34. ^ Hill, Logan (September 13, 2011). "Jennifer Westfeldt on Her Toronto Hit, Friends With Kids". Vulture. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  35. ^ Travers, Peter (March 8, 2012). "Friends With Kids". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  36. ^ Edelstein, David (December 2, 2012). "David Edelstein's Top Ten Movies of 2012". Vulture. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  37. ^ "'Can You Ever Forgive Me?': Jennifer Westfeldt argues with Melissa McCarthy in deleted scene (Exclusive)". www.aol.com. January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  38. ^ "The Film". Circus Kid. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  39. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 21, 2021). "Amazon, Welle Entertainment Adapt 'The Idea Of You' For Anne Hathaway". Deadline. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  40. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt". IMDb. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  41. ^ "Notes from the Underbelly". Time Out Worldwide. April 12, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  42. ^ "The First Lady - Season 1 Episode 1, that white house | SHOWTIME". SHO.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  43. ^ "2004 Tony Award Nominations Announced | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. May 10, 2004. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  44. ^ "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". www.theatreworldawards.org. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  45. ^ Simonson, Robert (May 14, 2004). "Wife, Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV and Jackman Win 2004 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  46. ^ "Wonderful Town starring Donna Murphy - Caroline, of Change - The Beard of Avon - New York Theater Review - Nymag". New York Magazine. November 26, 2003. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  47. ^ Brantley, Ben (November 24, 2003). "THEATER REVIEW; Sis, Today The Village, Tomorrow The World". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  48. ^ Stasio, Marilyn (April 16, 2014). "Off Broadway Review: 'The Library' Directed by Steven Soderbergh". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  49. ^ Soloski, Alexis (June 13, 2013). "Gleefully Banging on Closed Doors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  50. ^ "TOO MUCH SUN | By Nicky Silver | Directed by Mark Brokaw". Vineyard Theatre. June 24, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  51. ^ "Q&A With 'A Lifetime Burning' Actress Jennifer Westfeldt -- New York Magazine - Nymag". New York Magazine. July 23, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  52. ^ "Archive from Monday, July 14, 2008 - Finks, a sweeping tale of love and friendship, trials and tragedy, 7/23-8/3 - News - Info - Vassar College". info.vassar.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  53. ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 18, 2012). "The Power of Duff, Starring Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Westfeldt, Debuts at Powerhouse Theater July 18". Playbill. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  54. ^ "'Big Sky': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  55. ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (November 28, 2022). "'The Gett' Review: Jewish History and a Woman's Future". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2023.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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