Melanie Lynskey was born on May 16, 1977 in New Plymouth, New Zealand. She attended New Plymouth Girls High School, and it was while in school there that she was cast in her first major film, Heavenly Creatures after being discovered by director Peter Jackson’s wife, Fran Walsh . By then Melanie already knew what she wanted to do, and that was act. She was even a drama captain in her seventh form year.
Peter Jackson was so impressed with Melanie, that he cast her in one of his projects, The Frighteners, co-starring Michael J. Fox. However, after these two projects, Lynskey’s career didn’t pick up steam until a few years later. After travelling from her native New Zealand to L.A. she landed a role in Drew Barrymore’s Cinderella-story, Ever After, and followed that up in the ode to all things KISS, Detroit Rock City. Since then she’s landed roles in the controversial indie hit, But I’m A Cheerleader and found herself amongst the impressive young female cast of Coyote Ugly as Violet’s best friend Gloria.
Although she’s floated back and forth between New Zealand and the United States, she reportedly now makes her home in London, England with boyfriend, and fellow actor Andrew Howard.
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