‘Glee’s Jane Lynch: “I was 40 by the time I started making money at this”

While it may appear as though Jane Lynch has been working in the film industry for years. But in reality, the star of Glee made only infrequent appearances in TV and movies with small roles until her big break on Glee. Years of not booking major roles is a theme Lynch frequently uses as a motivation to her career. In a recent interview with NBC reporter Kate Snow on her new show The Drink, Lynch admits that she is still amazed that she gets paid to act. She explains, “It is the most amazing killer job. I love to act; it’s my calling if there’s such a thing.”

Lynch’s career as an actor did not take off until she was over 40. Lynch says, “I was 40 by the time I started making money at this … and I was happy before that”. Reflecting on her career, Lynch does see where there have been obstacles. She notes, “I can’t say that being a woman has been an obstacle. Being gay has been an obstacle. Being six feet tall has been an obstacle.”

Lynch uses herself as an example of an unlikely actress to rise to the top and doing it without a timetable. “If you’ve got some goal that you think you need to be somewhere by the time you’re some age, that’s so stupid. Don’t do it. I never had that goal.”