Melanie Lynskey
Known for
Melanie Lynskey was a New Zealand schoolgirl when Peter Jackson cast her as a teenage murderer opposite Kate Winslet in 'Heavenly Creatures' (1994). Two decades of quietly superb supporting work followed — the lovelorn Rose on 'Two and a Half Men' (2003-2015), 'Up in the Air' (2009), 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' (2012) — before television finally handed her the spotlight: suburban survivor Shauna in 'Yellowjackets' (2021) and chilling rebel leader Kathleen in 'The Last of Us' (2023). Nobody plays ordinary-seeming women with hidden depths, or hidden menace, better.
Melanie Lynskey
55 Movies
30 Series
Melanie Lynskey was a New Zealand schoolgirl when Peter Jackson cast her as a teenage murderer opposite Kate Winslet in 'Heavenly Creatures' (1994). Two decades of quietly superb supporting work followed — the lovelorn Rose on 'Two and a Half Men' (2003-2015), 'Up in the Air' (2009), 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' (2012) — before television finally handed her the spotlight: suburban survivor Shauna in 'Yellowjackets' (2021) and chilling rebel leader Kathleen in 'The Last of Us' (2023). Nobody plays ordinary-seeming women with hidden depths, or hidden menace, better.
Movies
Plays June Mindy
Don't Look Up
2021
Plays Aunt Helen
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
2012
Plays Gloria
Coyote Ugly
2000
Plays Julie Bingham
Up in the Air
2009
Plays Jacqueline de Ghent
EverAfter
1998
Plays Lurlynn
Sweet Home Alabama
2002
Plays Deputy
The Frighteners
1996
Plays Pauline Harnois
Flags of Our Fathers
2006
Plays Hilary
But I'm a Cheerleader
2000
Plays Amy Brand
Shattered Glass
2003
Plays Ginger Whitacre
The Informant!
2009
Plays Karen Amalfi
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
2012
Plays Pauline Parker
Heavenly Creatures
1994
Plays Brenda
They Came Together
2014
Plays Munch
Away We Go
2009
Plays Beth Bumsteen
Detroit Rock City
1999
Plays Macy
Touchback
2011
Plays Mousy Julie
Abandon
2002
Plays Colleen
Leaves of Grass
2009
Plays Cindy Timmons
Win Win
2011
Plays Mary (segment "The Birthday Party")
XX
2017
Plays Ruth Kimke
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore
2017
Plays Hannah
Lady of the Manor
2021
Plays Amy
Hello I Must Be Going
2012
Plays Kate Chant
The Changeover
2017
Plays Squiggy
Digging for Fire
2015
Plays Kelly
Happy Christmas
2014
Plays Elizabeth Birenbaum
Don't Say Good Luck
2026
Plays Sheryl
Park
2006
Plays Anna Osborne
Pike River
2025
Plays Devon
We'll Never Have Paris
2014
Plays Coach Rowan
1 Mile To You
2017
Plays Helen
Griffin in Summer
2025
Plays Annie Wall
Goodbye to All That
2014
Plays Annie
The Intervention
2016
Plays Lindsay
Rainbow Time
2016
Plays Susan
Say Uncle
2006
Plays Marie
Shooters
2002
Plays Rae
Sadie
2018
Plays Hannah
The Big Ask
2014
Plays Dunyasha
The Cherry Orchard
1999
Plays Alice
Helena from the Wedding
2010
Plays Gina
Little Boxes
2017
Plays Janice
And Then I Go
2017
Plays Becky
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
2016
Plays Amelia Kyte
Eye of the Hurricane
2012
Plays Monique
A Quiet Little Marriage
2008
Plays Jess
Show of Hands
2008
Plays Margaret
The Great & The Small
2016
Plays Lauren
Claustrophobia
2003
TV Shows
Plays Rose
Two and a Half Men
2003
Plays Megan (voice)
Future-Worm!
2016
Plays Shauna Sadecki
Yellowjackets
2021
Plays Michelle Pierson
Togetherness
2015
Plays Molly Strand
Castle Rock
2018
Plays Beatrice (voice)
Over the Garden Wall
2014
Plays Rosemary Thomson
Mrs. America
2020
Plays Wendy Patrakas
Drive
2007
Plays Heather Morris
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
2024
Plays Betty Gore
Candy
2022
Plays Zara Skelton
Sunshine
2017
Plays Sun (voice)
Summer Camp Island
2018
Plays Pearl Coleman
Comanche Moon
2008
Plays Rachel Wheaton
Rose Red
2002
Plays Gail
Girlboss
2017
Plays Laura
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
2017
Plays Dora Ericson
Young Sheldon
2017
Plays Marcy
The Shield
2002
Plays Kathleen Coghlan
The Last of Us
2023
Plays Debra Palmer
Matlock
2024
Plays Emily Bloom
Psych
2006
Plays Kate
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2005
Plays Shannon
Mom
2013
Plays Sara
Our Ex-Wife
2016
Plays Becky (voice)
The Life & Times of Tim
2008
Plays Beth
Easy
2016
Plays Natalie Tavares
House
2004
Plays Sharon (voice)
American Dad!
2005
Plays Fiance
Key & Peele
2012
Plays Regina Gilvary
Poker Face
2023
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Don't Say Good Luck
Full Filmography
Don't Say Good Luck
Elizabeth Birenbaum
2026
Film
Pike River
Anna Osborne
2025
Film
Griffin in Summer
Helen
2025
Film
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Heather Morris · 6 episodes
2024
TV
Matlock
Debra Palmer · 2 episodes
2024–
TV
Poker Face
Regina Gilvary · 1 episode
2023–
TV
The Last of Us
Kathleen Coghlan · 2 episodes
2023–
TV
Candy
Betty Gore · 5 episodes
2022
TV
Young Sheldon
Dora Ericson · 2 episodes
2020–2021
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Melanie Lynskey and where are they from?
Melanie Lynskey is 49 years old, born on May 16, 1977 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.
What are the most famous roles of Melanie Lynskey?
Melanie Lynskey is best known for roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Don't Look Up, Up in the Air.
How many movies has Melanie Lynskey been in?
Over a 32-year career (since 1994), Melanie Lynskey has appeared in 55 movies and 30 TV shows.
What was Melanie Lynskey's first movie?
The career of Melanie Lynskey began with Heavenly Creatures (1994).
What is Melanie Lynskey's most recent movie or series?
Melanie Lynskey's most recent release is Pike River, which premiered on October 30, 2025.
What TV shows has Melanie Lynskey appeared in?
On television, Melanie Lynskey has appeared in House, The Last of Us, Two and a Half Men, Young Sheldon.
Does Melanie Lynskey have any upcoming projects?
Yes, Melanie Lynskey's upcoming work includes: Don't Say Good Luck (2026).
Melanie Lynskey
1977-05-16 · New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
Melanie Jayne Lynskey (born May 16, 1977) is a New Zealand actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American dialects, she works predominantly in independent films. Lynskey is the recipient of two Critics' Choice Awards, a HCA Award, a Gracie, a New Zealand Film Award, a Hollywood Film Award, and a Sundance Special Jury Award, as well as Gotham, Satellite, Saturn, Golden Nymph, Independent Spirit, Screen Actors Guild, and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.