Jane Curtin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an acclaimed American actress and comedian.
She gained fame as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, where she was the first woman to anchor the Weekend Update segment.
Curtin won two Emmy Awards for her role in Kate & Allie and starred as Dr. Mary Albright in 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Known for her deadpan humor, she has also appeared in films like Coneheads and Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Siblings
Jane has two brothers, John J. “Jack” Curtin and Larry Curtin.
Jack was the eldest sibling and had a career in education.
He was known for his involvement in various community activities and was a significant presence in Jane’s life until his passing in 2008 after battling cancer.
Larry, the younger brother, has lived in South Florida for many years and has maintained a relatively private life compared to his famous sister.
While not much is publicly known about his professional endeavors, he is often mentioned in interviews where Jane reflects on her family life.
Career
Curtin began her career in the late 1960s as a member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Proposition.
This experience laid the groundwork for her later work in sketch comedy.
In 1975, she was cast as one of the original members of Saturday Night Live (SNL), which quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
During her time on SNL, she was known for her sharp wit and ability to deliver deadpan humor.
She co-anchored the Weekend Update segment alongside Chevy Chase and later with Dan Aykroyd, making her the first woman to hold that position.
Her memorable characters included the Conehead Prymaat and various political figures, showcasing her range as a performer.
After leaving SNL in 1980, Curtin transitioned to television sitcoms. She starred in Kate & Allie from 1984 to 1989, playing one half of a divorced duo raising their children together.
The show was well-received and highlighted themes of friendship and family dynamics, earning Jane two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
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Her performance resonated with audiences and critics alike, establishing her as a leading figure in television comedy.
In the late 1990s, Curtin took on the role of Dr. Mary Albright in the science fiction sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001).
The show followed a group of aliens disguised as humans living on Earth, and Jane’s character served as a love interest for John Lithgow’s character.
Her performance was praised for its comedic timing and depth, contributing to the show’s success and earning her another Emmy nomination.
In addition to her television work, Curtin has appeared in several films throughout her career.
Notable film roles include Coneheads (1993), where she reprised her SNL character alongside fellow cast members; I Love You, Man (2009), where she played the mother of Paul Rudd’s character; and The Shaggy Dog (2006), where she starred alongside Tim Allen.
More recently, she appeared in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018), a critically acclaimed film based on the true story of author Lee Israel.
Curtin has also lent her voice to animated projects, including the DreamWorks film Antz (1998) and various television shows such as The Simpsons.
Her versatility extends to stage performances; she has appeared in various theater productions, showcasing her talent beyond screen acting.
Awards and accolades
Curtin has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career in television and film.
She won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Allison “Allie” Lowell on Kate & Allie in 1984 and 1985.
Curtin has been nominated for a total of five Primetime Emmys, including nominations for her work on Saturday Night Live.
In addition to her Emmy wins, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical for Kate & Allie in 1985. Curtin also won a CableACE Award for Entertainment Host in 1992.
Her performance on 3rd Rock from the Sun earned her a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical in 1997, and she received multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations as part of the ensemble cast.
Curtin’s contributions to the industry were further recognized when she was inducted into the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame in 2020.
She has also been nominated for various other awards, including the American Comedy Awards and the People’s Choice Awards.
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