Jennifer Coolidge is a character actress and experimental comedienne who has risen to become one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, though she is probably best known for playing Stifler’s mother on the popular sitcom AMERICAN PIE. She will be seen in the upcoming movie Shotgun Wedding.
Jennifer Coolidge Early life and Education
Jennifer Coolidge was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 28, 1961. Jennifer Coolidge is currently 60 years old.
She was raised in Boston and has two sisters named Suzanne and Elizabeth. She is the daughter of Paul Coolidge. She also has a brother named Andrew. Jennifer is 5 feet 10 inches tall.
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She went to Norwell High School and Emerson College in Boston for her education.
In New York City, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Coolidge was a clarinettist who attended orchestra camp for three summers as a child.
Coolidge wanted to be a dramatic actress like Meryl Streep in college but instead became a comedic character actress.
Career
Jennifer is a well-known actress who is best known for her supporting roles in various sitcoms and TV shows.
She first appeared on television in the series “Seinfeld” (1993), alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and later in “Frasier.”
She appeared in the 1998 film “The Night in the Roxbury,” one of several comedies starring Will Ferrel and co-starring Chris Kattan and Eva Mendes.
She rose to prominence for her role as Stifler’s mother in the “American Pie” films (1999), in which she co-starred with Jason Biggs, Sean William Scott, Tara Reid, and Eugene Levy, among others.
Also in 1999, she appeared in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” a comedy starring Mike Myers and featuring Rob Lowe, Elizabeth Hurley, Will Ferrell, and Tim Robbins among a large cast.
Jennifer Coolidge returned in 2001 to play Stifler’s mother in “American Pie 2.”
She appeared in Legally Blonde (2001) as the manicurist Paulette, alongside Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, and Selma Blair.
In 2003, Jennifer Coolidge appeared in the third American Pie film, “American Wedding,” as well as the second instalment of Legally Blonde, “A Very Legal Blonde 2,” in which she co-starred with Sally Field and Regina King.
In 2004, she starred in the film Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, alongside Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep, and Dustin Hoffman.
She also appeared in “A Cinderella Story,” starring Hilary Duff, this year.
She was cast as Aunt Fanny in the Disney animated film “Robots” (2005).
She was also a member of the cast of the Warner series “Joey’s,” starring Matt LeBlanc, which aired for three seasons until 2006, the same year she appeared in the movies “Clicks,” starring Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, and David Hasselhoff, “American Dreamz,” “Date Movie,” and “For Your Consideration,” all directed by Christopher Guest.
In addition to “Joey’s,” she appeared in an episode of “Friends,” “The World According to Jim,” and “Sex in New York.”
She reunited with the cast of “Date Movie” in 2007 to create “Epic Movie,” a parody of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
In 2007, she appeared as Candy Richards in “Nip / Tuck,” and in 2009, she appeared in episodes of “Kath & Kim” and “Party Down.” She has also played Betty in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” since 2008.
Among her most recent film roles are “Ex Terminators,” in which she co-starred with Heather Graham, “Corrupt Lieutenant,” in which she co-starred with Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer, and the comedy “Gentleman Broncos.”
Jennifer Coolidge dated actor Chris Kattan and is currently in a relationship with writer Banks McClintock in her personal life.
Jennifer Coolidge has an uncompromising comedic style, has no qualms about playing uninhibited characters with sexual innuendos in the dialogue, and fits very well with director Christopher Guest’s style, which is why he has collaborated with him on films such as VERY IMPORTANT DOGS, A MIGHTY WIND, and FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
DOWN TO EARTH and AMERICAN DREAMZ are two of her other films. Coolidge’s ability to change her appearance and mannerisms, as well as her mastery of rhythm, are particularly noticeable in her role as an evil stepmother in A MODERN CINDERELLA (2004), opposite Hilary Duff, for which she received a Teen Choice Award in 2005.
Jennifer Coolidge details
# | Category | Detail |
---|---|---|
1 | Full Name | Jennifer Audrey Coolidge |
2 | Date of Birth | August 28, 1961 |
3 | Age (as of March 25, 2025) | 63 years old |
4 | Birthplace | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
5 | Nationality | American |
6 | Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
7 | Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
8 | Weight (approx.) | 150 lbs (68 kg) |
9 | Hair Color | Blonde |
10 | Eye Color | Blue |
11 | Father’s Name | Paul Constant Coolidge |
12 | Mother’s Name | Gretchen Knauff |
13 | Siblings | 3 (Andrew, Elizabeth, Susannah) |
14 | Education | Emerson College, Boston |
15 | Additional Training | American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York |
16 | Early Interest | Wanted to be a dramatic actress |
17 | Childhood Hobby | Played the clarinet |
18 | Hometown | Norwell, Massachusetts |
19 | Ancestry | Russian and German |
20 | Marital Status | Never married |
21 | Children | None |
22 | Past Relationship | Dated comedian Chris Kattan (circa 2001) |
23 | Past Relationship | Linked to Scott McCulloch (businessman) |
24 | Dating Preference | Has expressed a preference for younger men |
25 | Nickname | “The Original MILF” (from American Pie) |
26 | Career Start | 1993 (TV debut in Seinfeld as Jodi) |
27 | Breakthrough Role | Jeanine “Stifler’s Mom” Stifler in American Pie (1999) |
28 | Iconic Role | Paulette Bonafonté in Legally Blonde (2001) |
29 | Recent Acclaimed Role | Tanya McQuoid in The White Lotus (2021-2022) |
30 | Emmy Wins | 2 Primetime Emmy Awards (2022, 2023) for The White Lotus |
31 | Golden Globe Wins | 1 (2023) for The White Lotus |
32 | Acting Style | Known for improvisational comedy |
33 | Comedy Troupe | Member of The Groundlings |
34 | First Film | American Pie (1999) |
35 | Mockumentary Films | Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), For Your Consideration (2006) |
36 | Recent Film | Riff Raff (2024) with Ed Harris, Bill Murray, and Pete Davidson |
37 | Voice Acting | Aunt Fanny in Robots (2005) |
38 | TV Guest Appearances | Friends, Sex and the City, Seinfeld, Glee |
39 | Recent TV Role | Tanya McQuoid in The White Lotus Seasons 1 & 2 |
40 | The White Lotus Status | Character died in Season 2 finale; not returning for Season 3 |
41 | The White Lotus Impact | Boosted her dating life post-role |
42 | Film with J.Lo | Shotgun Wedding (2023) |
43 | Super Bowl Ad | Appeared in e.l.f. Cosmetics’ 2023 Super Bowl commercial |
44 | TikTok Presence | Gained over 1 million followers in 2 months (2023) |
45 | TIME 100 | Named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2023 |
46 | TIME 100 Gala | Hosted the 2023 event |
47 | Acceptance Speech Style | Known for frank, unconventional, and viral speeches |
48 | Notable Quote | “You look like the Fourth of July! Makes me want a hot dog real bad” (Legally Blonde 2) |
49 | Fan Interaction | Frequently receives DMs quoting her Legally Blonde line |
50 | Broadway Experience | Has performed on Broadway |
51 | Standup Comedy | Toured with a standup act |
52 | American Pie Impact | Claims role led to romantic encounters with over 200 men |
53 | Body Positivity | Advocates for embracing one’s natural self |
54 | Plastic Surgery | Has jokingly acknowledged some cosmetic work |
55 | Shoe Size | 9 (US) |
56 | Bra Size | 40D (US) / 90D (EU) |
57 | Dress Size | 12-14 (US) |
58 | Net Worth (est.) | Approximately $6-8 million (as of 2025) |
59 | Residence | Los Angeles, California |
60 | Pet Lover | Known to be fond of animals |
61 | Fashion Style | Often wears glamorous, bold outfits |
62 | Red Carpet Look | Wore a bedazzled black gown at the 2023 TIME 100 Gala |
63 | Recent Event | Attended the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival |
64 | Ariana Grande Connection | Gushed over Grande at the 2025 Palm Springs Film Festival |
65 | Golden Globes 2025 | Presented at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (January 5, 2025) |
66 | Riff Raff Premiere | Showcased smooth complexion at TIFF 2024 |
67 | Aging Perspective | Joked aging is “brutal” at Riff Raff premiere |
68 | Improv Skills | Many lines in Legally Blonde were improvised |
69 | Social Media | Active on Instagram and TikTok |
70 | Fan Base | Gained massive following post-The White Lotus |
71 | Career Resurgence | Experienced a major career boost in the 2020s |
72 | The Watcher | Worked with Naomi Watts in 2022 |
73 | Friendship | Close friend of The White Lotus creator Mike White |
74 | Personality Trait | Described as eccentric and vulnerable |
75 | Advice to Young Women | Focus on finding your own way, not pleasing others (TIME, 2023) |
76 | Childhood Memory | Stood on a dock wishing for a plane to take her somewhere “cool” |
77 | Father’s Advice | “Character is fate” – a quote she values as an adult |
78 | Comedy Influence | Inspired by Christopher Guest’s mockumentary style |
79 | Role Pride | Proud of Legally Blonde for predicting #MeToo themes |
80 | Public Perception | Seen as authentic and relatable |
81 | The White Lotus Theory | Suggested a prequel idea for her character Tanya |
82 | Collaboration Desire | Texted a friend about making a fake fight video for attention |
83 | SAG Awards 2023 | Joked her Marvel superpower would be bathroom-related |
84 | Cultural Impact | Merchandise like candles and T-shirts feature her face |
85 | Toronto Film Festival | Attended Riff Raff premiere in September 2024 |
86 | Vocal Trait | Known for her distinctive husky voice |
87 | Comedy Timing | Praised for off-kilter comedic timing |
88 | Early Struggles | Took minor roles before breaking out in the late 1990s |
89 | We Have a Ghost | Filmed a strangling scene with David Harbour (2023) |
90 | Australian Visit | Spotted in Sydney during Vivid Festival (2023) |
91 | White Lotus Cookies | Received themed cookies from an Australian baker |
92 | SNL Hosting | Was set to host in May 2023 before WGA strike |
93 | Sex Appeal | Claims The White Lotus enhanced her romantic prospects |
94 | Peer Recognition | Natasha Lyonne recalled Coolidge mistaking her for Hilary Duff |
95 | Recent Interview | Spoke to E! News about aging at TIFF 2024 |
96 | Physical Presence | Commanding on-screen due to height and personality |
97 | Hollywood Journey | Late bloomer who gained major recognition in her 60s |
98 | Current Project Status | No confirmed projects for 2025 yet, but remains in demand |
99 | Public Speaking | Known for humorous, self-deprecating speeches |
100 | Legacy | Cemented as a comedy icon and beloved Hollywood figure |