---
name: "Melanie Lynskey"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/melanie-lynskey"
fi1m_id: "melanie-lynskey"
imdb_id: "nm0001491"
tmdb_id: 15091
wikidata_id: "Q235905"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 May 1977"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-09-24T04:37:20.928423+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Melanie Lynskey

## Identity

Melanie Lynskey

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/melanie-lynskey
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** melanie-lynskey
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001491
- **TMDB ID:** 15091
- **Wikidata ID:** Q235905
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Lynskey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235905, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001491/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15091

Actor. Born 16 May 1977 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 May 1977, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** ملانی لینسکی, Melanie Jayne Lynskey
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 84 (1), 2000s 60 (4), 2010s 81 (2), 2020s 70 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 71 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Comedy 6, Music 2, Mystery 2, Romance 2, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $360m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Lynskey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235905, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001491/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15091

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Over the Garden Wall*](https://film.one/tv/over-the-garden-wall.md) (86), [*Mrs. America*](https://film.one/tv/mrs-america.md) (79)
- **Apple TV:** [*Yellowjackets*](https://film.one/tv/yellowjackets.md) (76), [*Up in the Air*](https://film.one/film/up-in-the-air.md) (74)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Perks of Being a Wallflower*](https://film.one/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower.md) (76), [*The Informant!*](https://film.one/film/the-informant.md) (71)
- **Netflix:** [*Don't Say Good Luck*](https://film.one/film/dont-say-good-luck.md) (71)
- **Peacock:** [*Two and a Half Men*](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) (55)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Melanie Lynskey is a New Zealand actress. She made her film debut in *Heavenly Creatures* (1994) as Pauline Parker while still at school in New Plymouth.

Lynskey studied at Victoria University of Wellington before moving to the United States. Her credits include supporting roles in *Coyote Ugly* (2000), *Up in the Air* (2009), *The Informant!* (2009) and *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* (2012), as well as television appearances in *Two and a Half Men* (2003–2015) as Rose and *Yellowjackets* (2021–) as Shauna.

She has received three Critics' Choice Awards and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Don't Say Good Luck* (2026), Fi1m 71, as Elizabeth Birenbaum — [page](https://film.one/film/dont-say-good-luck.md)
- *Don't Look Up* (2021), Fi1m 52, as June Mindy — [page](https://film.one/film/dont-look-up.md)
- *Yellowjackets* (2021), Fi1m 76, as Shauna Sadecki — [page](https://film.one/tv/yellowjackets.md)
- *Mrs. America* (2020), Fi1m 79, as Rosemary Thomson — [page](https://film.one/tv/mrs-america.md)
- *Over the Garden Wall* (2014), Fi1m 86, as Beatrice (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/over-the-garden-wall.md)
- *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* (2012), Fi1m 76, as Aunt Helen — [page](https://film.one/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower.md)
- *The Informant!* (2009), Fi1m 71, as Ginger Whitacre — [page](https://film.one/film/the-informant.md)
- *Up in the Air* (2009), Fi1m 74, as Julie Bingham — [page](https://film.one/film/up-in-the-air.md)
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), Fi1m 55, as Rose — [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *Coyote Ugly* (2000), Fi1m 38, as Gloria — [page](https://film.one/film/coyote-ugly.md)
- *Heavenly Creatures* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Pauline Parker — [page](https://film.one/film/heavenly-creatures.md)

## Complete filmography (87)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Don't Say Good Luck* (2026), as Elizabeth Birenbaum — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/dont-say-good-luck.md)
- *Pike River* (2025), as Anna Osborne
- *Griffin in Summer* (2025), as Helen
- *Matlock* (2024), series, as Debra Palmer
- *The Tattooist of Auschwitz* (2024), series, as Heather Morris
- *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Regina Gilvary — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md)
- *The Last of Us* (2023), series, as Kathleen Coghlan — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-last-of-us.md)
- *Candy* (2022), series, as Betty Gore
- *Don't Look Up* (2021), as June Mindy — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/dont-look-up.md)
- *Yellowjackets* (2021), series, as Shauna Sadecki — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/yellowjackets.md)
- *Lady of the Manor* (2021), as Hannah
- *Mrs. America* (2020), series, as Rosemary Thomson — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/mrs-america.md)
- *Sadie* (2018), as Rae
- *Castle Rock* (2018), series, as Molly Strand
- *Summer Camp Island* (2018), series, as Sun (voice)
- *Sunshine* (2017), series, as Zara Skelton
- *The Changeover* (2017), as Kate Chant
- *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, as Dora Ericson
- *Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later* (2017), series, as Laura
- *And Then I Go* (2017), as Janice
- *Girlboss* (2017), series, as Gail
- *Little Boxes* (2017), as Gina
- *1 Mile To You* (2017), as Coach Rowan
- *XX* (2017), as Mary (segment "The Birthday Party")
- *I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore* (2017), as Ruth Kimke
- *Easy* (2016), series, as Beth
- *Our Ex-Wife* (2016), series, as Sara
- *The Intervention* (2016), as Annie
- *Folk Hero & Funny Guy* (2016), as Becky
- *The Great & The Small* (2016), as Margaret
- *Rainbow Time* (2016), as Lindsay
- *Future-Worm!* (2016), series, as Megan (voice)
- *Digging for Fire* (2015), as Squiggy
- *Togetherness* (2015), series, as Michelle Pierson
- *Goodbye to All That* (2014), as Annie Wall
- *Over the Garden Wall* (2014), series, as Beatrice (voice) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/over-the-garden-wall.md)
- *We'll Never Have Paris* (2014), as Devon
- *Happy Christmas* (2014), as Kelly
- *They Came Together* (2014), as Brenda
- *The Big Ask* (2014), as Hannah
- *Chu and Blossom* (2014), as Miss Shoemaker
- *Mom* (2013), series, as Shannon
- *Putzel* (2012), as Sally
- *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* (2012), as Aunt Helen — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower.md)
- *Hello I Must Be Going* (2012), as Amy
- *Seeking a Friend for the End of the World* (2012), as Karen Amalfi
- *Eye of the Hurricane* (2012), as Amelia Kyte
- *Key & Peele* (2012), series, as Fiance — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md)
- *Touchback* (2011), as Macy
- *Win Win* (2011), as Cindy Timmons
- *Helena from the Wedding* (2010), as Alice
- *Up in the Air* (2009), as Julie Bingham — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/up-in-the-air.md)
- *The Informant!* (2009), as Ginger Whitacre — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-informant.md)
- *Leaves of Grass* (2009), as Colleen
- *Away We Go* (2009), as Munch
- *A Quiet Little Marriage* (2008), as Monique
- *Show of Hands* (2008), as Jess
- *The Life & Times of Tim* (2008), series, as Becky (voice)
- *Comanche Moon* (2008), series, as Pearl Coleman
- *Itty Bitty Titty Committee* (2007), as Pat (uncredited)
- *Drive* (2007), series, as Wendy Patrakas
- *Flags of Our Fathers* (2006), as Pauline Harnois
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Emily Bloom
- *Say Uncle* (2006), as Susan
- *Park* (2006), as Sheryl
- *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005), series, as Kate
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Sharon (voice)
- *House* (2004), series, as Natalie Tavares — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *The Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe Cadwaulder* (2004), as Zoe Cadwaulder
- *The L Word* (2004), series, as Clea Mason
- *Shattered Glass* (2003), as Amy Brand
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Rose — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *Claustrophobia* (2003), as Lauren
- *Abandon* (2002), as Mousy Julie
- *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), as Lurlynn
- *The Shield* (2002), series, as Marcy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md)
- *Rose Red* (2002), series, as Rachel Wheaton
- *Shooters* (2002), as Marie
- *Snakeskin* (2001), as Alice
- *Foreign Correspondents* (2001), as Melody
- *Coyote Ugly* (2000), as Gloria — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/coyote-ugly.md)
- *But I'm a Cheerleader* (2000), as Hilary
- *Detroit Rock City* (1999), as Beth Bumsteen
- *The Cherry Orchard* (1999), as Dunyasha
- *EverAfter* (1998), as Jacqueline de Ghent
- *The Frighteners* (1996), as Deputy
- *Heavenly Creatures* (1994), as Pauline Parker — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/heavenly-creatures.md)

## Gallery

- ![The director, producers and cast of The Informant! (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-5b9af475fa4f.jpg) The director, producers and cast of The Informant! (2009) — Mark Dunne from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Flickr_-_Bucajack_-_The_director%2C_producers_and_cast_of_The_Informant.jpg/1280px-Flickr_-_Bucajack_-_The_director%2C_producers_and_cast_of_The_Informant.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Accepting Jury Performance Award, 2016 Sundance Film Festival Awards, Park City UT](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-a8b8efaadaee.jpg) Accepting Jury Performance Award, 2016 Sundance Film Festival Awards, Park City UT — PunkToad from oakland, us, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Melanie_Lynskey%2C_The_Intervention_%2824766766930%29.jpg/1280px-Melanie_Lynskey%2C_The_Intervention_%2824766766930%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Melanie Lynskey, actress. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-3137bdda7b66.jpg) Melanie Lynskey, actress. (2009) — Karen Seto / ???? from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Melanie_Lynskey.jpg/1280px-Melanie_Lynskey.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Melanie Lynskey 2016](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-38c6d562ae71.jpg) Melanie Lynskey 2016 — Spencer Fornaciari of The MacGuffin, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Melanie_Lynskey_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-753b4b1268ae.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Image via TMDB
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-8caa44d56e2f.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Image via TMDB
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-10fe05436f6f.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Image via TMDB
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-7f5a3a8e9cbf.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Melanie_Lynskey_2025.jpg/1280px-Melanie_Lynskey_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-bc81a06cde0b.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Image via TMDB
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-c8cd9041d64a.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Image via TMDB
- ![Melanie Lynskey](https://film.one/media/person/9491/gallery-c83e688c54de.jpg) Melanie Lynskey — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast 2009: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast (nominated), for *Up in the Air*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/melanie-lynskey