Making Space with Hoda Kotb Jane Lynch on Healing, Honesty, and the Freedom That Comes with Being Yourself
Dec 3, 2025
Jane Lynch, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress known for her iconic roles in Glee and Best in Show, opens up about her journey toward self-acceptance and healing. She shares how therapy helped her confront shame and embrace authenticity. Jane discusses the profound impact of her relationship with her parents, particularly her mother's support, and emphasizes the joy found in life’s simple moments. She also highlights the importance of therapy in deepening her acting and fostering personal growth, while celebrating the importance of living in the present.
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Early Performer Who Loved Attention
- Jane Lynch describes being the class clown and performing for laughs from early childhood, even miming her mother’s cigarette at age four.
- Her desire to entertain persisted through school despite setbacks and fear after a failed rehearsal in freshman year.
Quitting After One Bad Rehearsal
- Jane auditioned as a freshman, won laughs at audition, then quit after rehearsal didn't get laughs and developed a reputation as a quitter.
- She later rejoined theater in senior year without audition and performed in Godspell, reigniting her love for acting.
Mother's Doubt That Stung
- Jane's mother told her she wouldn't be an actress, which crushed Jane and made her cry, and her mother regretted it for life.
- That disapproval stayed with Jane but didn't stop her from pursuing theater and eventually succeeding.
