Through and through there is no doubt Jane Lynch is a true lover of her home state of Illinois.
On Tuesday Lynch’s continued support and outstanding career earned her a place in the Illinois Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday in Normal. Majoring in acting at Illinois State, Lynch brought the Illinois way to the big screen.
During her time at ISU, the acting school was known for its rigorous process. The midwestern style was apparent when she went out to California to get her career off the ground.
“When I was, in the program, it was very dedicated to process and technique and no snowflakes allowed,” Lynch said during her induction speech. “It was that tough kind of setting that really laid the groundwork for the technique that I use now unconsciously, I don’t even have to think about the work I did here. I was talking to a wardrobe person who said, “I always know a Chicago or Illinois actor because they hang up their clothes.’”
Growing up on the south side of Chicago and going to Illinois State, the Emmy-winning actress continues her support for the Prairie State with her recent tourism ads. Since graduating from ISU in 1982 Lynch has appeared in countless movies, shows and musicals.
“I’m so, so proud to be a part of Illinois, to be from Chicago, being a Redbird, and now to be a Hall of Famer in the IBA,” Lynch said. “It’s just a, just, just such an honor and I’m so moved.”
In 2010, 2011 and 2013 Lynch earned the Emmy Award for best-supporting actress. Despite appearing in other works, Lynch got her break into the mainstream with her take as Cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on Glee. Lynch quickly captivated audiences with her dry delivery and unique humor making her an instant fan favorite.
“See all of you out here in this organization where you take care of each other, where you have each other’s,” Lynch said. “I think that’s the reason that Glee is having a Renaissance now. It’s because it’s about a group of kids. High school being a metaphor for life in this kind of cruel atmosphere.”
Since Glee went off the air, Lynch turned her talents to hosting game shows. Moving to Hollywood Game Night, Lynch earned another pair of Emmys for outstanding host for best reality host or reality competition host. Now lynch hosts The Weakest Link.
Lynch’s latest work with the state of Illinois has been directing and starring in tourism promotion ads for Illinois. In these commercials, Lynch travels around the state to show off some of the best spots to visit.
Lynch sees these commercials as a great way to show off her home state and get more people to visit.
“What I put into the Illinois office of tourism commercials too is that gumption that we have here in Midwest and particularly in Illinois,” Lynch said. “We changed the direction of the dang river. That is how much gumption we have in this state.”
Comments