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Mary Lynn Rajskub

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Mary Lynn Rajskub
Rajskub at a screening of the 24 season 7 finale in 2009
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian
Years active1995–present
Spouse
Matthew Rolph
​
(m. 2009)​
Children1

Mary Lynn Rajskub (/ˈraɪskəb/[1]) is an American actress and comedian who is best known for portraying Chloe O'Brian in the action thriller series 24 and Gail the Snail in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Rajskub was a regular cast member on HBO's Mr. Show with Bob and David, appeared in The Larry Sanders Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Veronica's Closet, and such films as Dude, Where's My Car?, Firewall, Sweet Home Alabama, Punch-Drunk Love, Mysterious Skin, Little Miss Sunshine, Sunshine Cleaning, Safety Not Guaranteed, and The Kings of Summer, among others.

Early life

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Rajskub was raised in Trenton, Michigan, having moved there from Detroit. Along with two older sisters, she is the daughter of Betty and Tony Rajskub, a pharmacist's assistant and a pipefitter respectively.[2]

One of her childhood inspirations was the television series Moonlighting.[3] Rajskub attended the Center for Creative Studies and later the San Francisco Art Institute.[4] During the early nineties, she often performed at various open mics in San Francisco.[5]

She later moved to Los Angeles working as a waitress in a Hard Rock Cafe.[6]

Career

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Rajskub's first part was as an Oompa-Loompa in a community theater production of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and her first starring role was Raggedy Ann.[7] In 1996 she appeared in music videos for the songs "The Good Life" by Weezer and "The New Pollution" by Beck.

Rajskub was one of the original cast members of Mr. Show with Bob and David.[8] From 1996–1998, she had a recurring role on the HBO series The Larry Sanders Show as booking assistant Mary Lou Collins, appearing in 18 episodes. She would later have a recurring, semi-regular role on the short-lived but hit 90's sitcom Veronica's Closet, playing Chloe in 15 episodes.

Her most notable role is CTU systems analyst Chloe O'Brian on 24, which she joined in 2003 at the start of the show's third season. Her character was a hit with viewers and critics and was one of the few cast members to return in the show's fourth season. After being a regular guest star for two seasons, Rajskub became a main cast member in the show's fifth season. By the end of the series, she was the lead female, with top billing second only to Kiefer Sutherland. Her character also had the honor of saying the final words of the series in the season 8 series finale. Rajskub and Sutherland appeared briefly as their 24 characters in a 2007 episode, "24 Minutes", of the Fox animated series The Simpsons. In August 2013, it was announced that she would reprise her Chloe O'Brian role in the 2014 limited series 24: Live Another Day.[9]

Rajskub appeared in Kelsey Grammer's The Sketch Show on Fox Television, The King of Queens as a character named Priscilla, and in numerous films including Mysterious Skin, Legally Blonde 2, Sweet Home Alabama, Dude, Where's My Car?, Man on the Moon, Punch-Drunk Love, The Anniversary Party, Firewall, Little Miss Sunshine, music videos for Beck, Weezer and Sheryl Crow, as well as portraying a blind woman in the film Road Trip.

Rajskub in 2011

Rajskub was part of a comic duo (with Karen Kilgariff) called Girls Guitar Club. In 2006, she made a cameo appearance in "Partings", the 6th season finale of Gilmore Girls, where she played a trobairitz looking for her big break. (Rajskub had previously appeared on Gilmore Girls as the female lead in A Film by Kirk, a short film made by the character Kirk Gleason.) She has volunteered as an actress with the Young Storytellers Program. She has an educational background as a painter, having attended the San Francisco Art Institute.[citation needed]

Rajskub has been nominated twice for a Screen Actors Guild Award; once in 2005, and again in 2007 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.[citation needed] She guest-starred on Flight of the Conchords episode "Prime Minister" as Karen, an Art Garfunkel fanatic. She guest-starred as "Gail the Snail" in an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia titled "The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention", and reprised the role in the ninth-season finale, "The Gang Squashes Their Beefs," and season thirteen's "The Gang Beats Boggs: Ladies Reboot." In 2009, she also appeared in the film Julie & Julia as Sarah, one of Julie Powell's close friends. In 2010, Rajskub performed stand-up on John Oliver's New York Stand Up Show. In June 2010, she appeared in the "Lovesick" episode during the second season of the USA series Royal Pains.

From July through October 2010, she performed in her solo show, Mary Lynn Spreads Her Legs, at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Angeles. Reviewer F. Kathleen Foley of the Los Angeles Times wrote "that cheerfully vulgar title sums up the overall tone, which is often breezily obscene".[10] The show, written by Rajskub with help from director/developer Amit Itelman, was inspired by Rajskub's experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood.[citation needed]

In January 2011, Rajskub guest-starred in the episode "Our Children, Ourselves" on the second season of ABC's Modern Family. In the fall of 2011, Rajskub appeared in the short-lived sitcom How to Be a Gentleman. Also in 2011, Rajskub's web series, Dicki, began airing on My Damn Channel.[11] Dicki is based on a number of people that Rajskub grew up with in and around Michigan. The title character is a 40-year-old woman who lives at home with her parents, makes crafts, and takes her art seriously. Dicki has been one of My Damn Channel's most successful web series to date. The first season concluded in November 2011, but a second season is currently in development. Rajskub performed in the June 2012 edition of Don't Tell My Mother! (Live Storytelling), a monthly showcase in which celebrities share true stories they would never want their mothers to know.[12] In 2012 she began hosting a podcast on the Nerdist Network called Kickin' it Mary Lynn Style.[when?]

In 2013, Rajskub appeared in the fourth season of Arrested Development in a silent yet well-received[13] role as Heartfire, a character Rajskub has said "speak[s] from the heart, but do[es]n't use any words."[14] In the same year Rajskub also appeared in the web series All Growz Up with Melinda Hill.[15]

Rajskub appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on March 27, 2015. In August 2016, Rajskub appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 24 Hours With Mary Lynn Rajskub. A comedy special that dealt with issues of domestic life as well as her stardom and work in various independent ventures, the performance was well-received by both critics and fans.[16]

In 2017, Rajskub appeared in the first season of the Adult Swim series Dream Corp LLC, playing Patient 46 in the episode "Are You Down With OCD?". Her appearance involved two leading characters, T.E.R.R.Y. (Stephen Merchant) and Patient 88 (Nicholas Rutherford), competing for her attention. Rajskub appeared in the 2018 comedy Night School, starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish. The movie received middling reviews, with Michael Phillips of The Chicago Tribune noting that "the actors aren't the problem with Night School; the material is."[17]

In 2021, Rajskub released a 49-minute comedy special called Mary Lynn Rajskub: Live from the Pandemic.[18] The same year, she appeared in Amazon's science fiction movie The Tomorrow War, starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski and J.K. Simmons. Rajskub also had a four-episode role in the Hulu series The Dropout, a dramatization of the Theranos scandal starring Amanda Seyfried; Rajskub played Lorraine Fuisz, wife of William H. Macy's Richard Fuisz.

In 2022, Rajskub released her first book, Fame-ish: My Life At The Edge Of Stardom.[19] In 2023, she was a contestant on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, where she was a fan favorite. An official clip of her and fellow actor Paul Scheer accrued over two million views on TikTok.[20]

Personal life

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Rajskub dated David Cross, who introduced her to Mr. Show[8] and left the show when they broke up after the end of the second season. Afterwards, she dated music producer Jon Brion for five years until they broke up in the fall of 2002. Rajskub later dated comedian Duncan Trussell.[21]

Rajskub met personal trainer Matthew Rolph when he approached her after one of her comedy sets. They began dating, and she became pregnant three months later.[22] Their son was born in 2008.[23] Rajskub married Rolph on August 1, 2009, in an impromptu wedding in Las Vegas.[24] Rajskub filed for divorce in August 2019.[25]

Rajskub is bisexual and discussed her past relationships with women in an article for AfterEllen.com.[26]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

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Rajskub at The Heart Truth Fashion Show, February 1, 2008
Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Truth About Cats & Dogs Female Radio Caller Voice
1997 Who's the Caboose? Cheeseball
1998 The Thin Pink Line Suzy Smokestack
1999 Magnolia Janet Voice
Man on the Moon Friday's Mary
2000 Road Trip Blind Brenda
Dude, Where's My Car? Zelmina
Sunset Strip Eileen
2001 Storytelling Melinda
The Anniversary Party Mary-Lynn
2002 Punch-Drunk Love Elizabeth
Sweet Home Alabama Dorothea
Run Ronnie Run! Herself
2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Reena Giuliani
Claustrophobia Grace
2004 Mysterious Skin Avalyn Friesen
Helter Skelter Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme
2006 Firewall Janet Stone
Little Miss Sunshine Pageant Assistant Pam
Grilled Renee
2007 Humble Pie Peggy Orbison
2008 Sunshine Cleaning Lynn
2009 Julie & Julia Sarah
2010 24: Chloe's Arrest Chloe O'Brian Short film
2012 Safety Not Guaranteed Bridget
2013 The Kings of Summer Captain Davis
2015 Sex, Death and Bowling Kim Wells
2017 Wilson Jodie
In Search of Fellini Kerri
2018 Benjamin Jeanette
Night School Theresa
Cold Brook Rachel
2019 A World Away Principal Garcia
2020 Dinner in America Connie
2021 Hero Mode Laura
The Tomorrow War Norah
2022 Please Baby Please Lois
Daniel's Gotta Die Mia Powell
2023 Dashing Through the Snow Mary
2024 Shell Casting Director

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1995–1996 Mr. Show with Bob and David Various Characters 10 episodes
1996–1998 The Larry Sanders Show Mary Lou Collins 18 episodes
1997 The Weird Al Show Weather Woman Episode: "Talent Show"
Over the Top Linda Episode: "The Bee Story"
1998 NewsRadio Waitress Episode: "The Secret of Management"
1999 Tracey Takes On... Episode: "Lies"
Shasta McNasty Diana Episode: "Pilot"
1999–2000 Veronica's Closet Chloe 15 episodes
2001 Just Shoot Me! Penny Episode: "Maya Judging Amy"
2002 Gilmore Girls Girlfriend in Kirk's film Episode: "Teach Me Tonight"
The King of Queens Priscilla Stasna Episode: "Arthur, Spooner"
2003–2010 24 Chloe O'Brian Main role (season 3-8); 125 episodes
2003 Good Morning, Miami Hollis Episode: "I Second That Promotion"
2004 Home Movies Penny (voice) Episode: "Those Bitches Tried to Cheat Me"
2005 The Sketch Show Various Characters 6 episodes
2006 Gilmore Girls Town Troubadour Episode: "Partings"
2007 Human Giant Mindy 2 episodes
The Simpsons Chloe O'Brian (voice) Episode: "24 Minutes"
2008 The Middleman Dr. Gibbs Episode: "The Pilot Episode Sanction"
2009 Flight of the Conchords Karen Episode: "Prime Minister"
2009–2023 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Gail the Snail 4 episodes
2010 Royal Pains Blake Episode: "Lovesick"
The Benson Interruption Herself Episode #1.2
2010–2013 Chelsea Lately Herself 9 episodes
2011 Modern Family Tracy Episode: "Our Children, Ourselves"
Raising Hope Tanya Episode: "The Cultish Personality"
How to Be a Gentleman Janet 9 episodes
2012 The L.A. Complex Herself Episode: "Down in L.A."
Dirty Work Roxy 3 episodes
The Burn with Jeff Ross Herself Episode: "Jimmy Kimmel/Jim Norton/Bobby Lee/Mary Lynn Rajskub"
Mash Up Herself TV movie
Grey's Anatomy Marion Steiner Episode: "Migration"
2013 The Mentalist Susie Hamplin Episode: "Days of Wine and Roses"
Newsreaders Laney Trammings Episode: "Fit Town, Fat Town"
New Girl Peg Episode: "Winston's Birthday"
Arrested Development Heartfire 2 episodes
2013–2014 2 Broke Girls Bebe 5 episodes
2014 TripTank Marilyn (voice) Episode: "Crossing the Line"
Californication Goldie 4 episodes
24: Live Another Day Chloe O'Brian 12 episodes (limited series)
Talking Dead Herself Episode: "Four Walls and a Roof"
2014–2017 @midnight Herself 15 episodes
2015 Maron Herself Episode: "Ex-Pod"
2015–2016 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Genevieve Mirren-Carter 5 episodes[27]
2015 Highston Jean Liggetts Pilot
W/ Bob & David Chef Krissie Episode #1.3
2016 The Girlfriend Experience Erin Roberts 10 episodes
Take My Wife Mary Lynn Episode: "Opener"
Those Who Can't Summer 3 episodes
Dream Corp LLC Patient #046 Episode: "You Down with OCD?"
Drunk History Effie Cherry Episode: "Shit Shows"
2017 The Guest Book Lynn Episode: "Story Two"
2018 Detroiters Margaret Episode: "Lois"
Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy Reporter 5 episodes
Hawaii Five-0 Crystal Episode: "A 'ohe mea 'imi a ka maka"
2019 Now Apocalypse Frank 2 episodes
How High 2 Ana Cheever Television film[28]
2020 Criminal Minds Brenda Hacker Episode: "Rusty"
2021 Ten Year Old Tom Rhonda (voice) Episode: "The Spelling Bee is Rigged/Dakota's Dad"
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now! Producer Bryn (voice) Television special[29]
2022 The Dropout Lorraine Fuisz 4 episodes
Big Shot Charlie Episode: "Tipoff"
2023 Accused Tess Episode: "Brenda's Story"
2024 Hell's Kitchen Herself Episode: "#HellishHangover"
After Midnight Episode #8
2025 North of North

References

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  1. ^ Rajskub, Mary Lynn (August 1, 2019). Lexus vs. Mazda. Checking in with Mary Lynn. YouTube. Event occurs at 0:33. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Trenton was first stage for Rajskub's talents". Trenton Trib. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  3. ^ "Episode 67". TV Guidance Counselor Podcast. 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  4. ^ "Mary-Lynn Rajskub". TV Insider. 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "This Week". Bay Area Reporter. August 18, 1994. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "Mary-Lynn Rajskub on Good Day NY". January 28, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "25 Things You Don't Know About Me: Mary Lynn Rajskub". Us Weekly. January 21, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  8. ^ a b Featurette: Interview with Mary Lynn Rajskub (2007). Not Just the Best of The Larry Sanders Show (Disc 3) (Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC) (DVD). Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. ASIN B000MTFDB0. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  9. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 1, 2013). "Mary Lynn Rajskub Clocks in For '24: Live Another Day'". Zap2It. FOX press release. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  10. ^ F. Kathleen Foley (July 2, 2010). "Theater review: 'Mary Lynn Spreads Her Legs' at the Steve Allen Theater". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  11. ^ "DICKI - The Official Website". Mydamnchannel.com. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  12. ^ "Don't Tell My Mother: Post Father's Day Special". Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  13. ^ Lovelace, Steve (May 30, 2013). "Five Best New Arrested Development Characters".
  14. ^ Eggerton, Chris (May 17, 2023). "Arrested Development's Mary Lynn Rajskub on playing George Sr.'s New Assistant".
  15. ^ Carrie, Stephanie. "Steph's LA Weekly Feature Series – Melinda Hill's Romantic Encounters". Archived from the original on October 19, 2013.
  16. ^ "24 Hours With Mary Lynn Rajskub". TheatreSmart. August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  17. ^ "'Night School' review: Reading, writing and roughhouse with Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish". Chicago Tribune. September 26, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Rajskub, Mary Lynn (January 14, 2021), Watch Mary Lynn Rajskub: Live from the Pandemic Online | Vimeo On Demand, retrieved March 19, 2021
  19. ^ "Jam and Outback present Mary Lynn Rajskub". 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  20. ^ "'Wheel of Fortune' Audience Bursts Into Laughter Over Hilarious Guess". Newsweek. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Rogan, Joe. "Joe Rogan Experience #202". Archived from the original on April 8, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  22. ^ The Wendy Williams Show (May 2, 2014). ""24" is Back!". Retrieved November 4, 2019 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ Messina, Elizabeth (February 1, 2009). "Real Life Mirrors Stage Life for Mary Lynn Rajskub". People. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  24. ^ "'24's Mary Lynn Rajskub Married To Trainer Matthew Rolph". TV Shark. August 4, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  25. ^ Goldblatt, Daniel (August 20, 2019). "'24' Star Mary Lynn Rajskub Files for Divorce". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  26. ^ ""I still think Megan Fox is hot": Mary Lynn Rajskub talks about being bisexual". AfterEllen. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016.
  27. ^ "'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Boss on Avoiding the 'Moonlighting' Curse With Jake and Amy". The Hollywood Reporter. September 27, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  28. ^ Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2019). "'How High 2': Mike Epps To Reprise Baby Powder Role In MTV Sequel; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood.
  29. ^ Byrne, Craig (October 29, 2021). "Tonight, The CW Asks "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now!"". KSiteTV. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
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