Janeane Garofalo Biography

Janeane Garofalo has turned in a variety of memorable comedic and dramatic performances in film and on television.

Janeane Garofalo made her television debut on the syndicated "The Dennis Miller Show," followed by appearances on the Fox Network's "Comic Strip Live" and MTV's "Half-Hour Comedy Hour." Janeane Garofalo first gained national attention as a regular on the Emmy Award-winning "The Ben Stiller Show."

Janeane Garofalo received two consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1996, 1997) for her continuing role as Paula on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show." She was also a member of the repertory company of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" during the 1994-95 season; and a correspondent for Michael Moore's "TV Nation," during its NBC run.

Janeane Garofalo has guest-starred on such top television series as NBC's "Seinfeld," "Mad About You," and "Law & Order"; ABC's "Home Improvement"; and HBO's "The Sopranos." She was animated for episodes of the Fox Network's "The Simpsons" and Comedy Central's "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist."

Beginning with W.D. Richter's "Late for Dinner" (1991), she has appeared in over 35 feature films. These include starring roles in "Reality Bites" (directed by and costarring Ben Stiller), Michael Lehmann's "The Truth About Cats & Dogs," Kinka Usher's "Mystery Men" (again costarring with Stiller), Mark Joffe's "The Matchmaker," David Dobkin's "Clay Pigeons," Hampton Fancher's "The Minus Man," Bruce McCulloch's "Dog Park," Kevin Smith's "Dogma," and Robert Greenwald's "Steal This Movie!" (as Abbie Hoffman's wife Anita).

Garofalo has also been seen on-screen in, among other films, Kelly Makin's "Kids in the Hall Brain Candy," Ben Stiller's "The Cable Guy," James Mangold's "Cop Land," David Veloz' "Permanent Midnight" (again costarring with Stiller), Risa Bramon Garcia's "200 Cigarettes," and Des McAnuff's "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle."

Janeane Garofalo most recently completed work on Mike Binder's independent feature "The Search for John Gissing" and Barry Sonnenfeld's soon-to-be-released "Big Trouble"; and is currently at work on Moises Kaufman's "The Laramie Project" (for HBO).

Janeane Garofalo also co-authored the best-seller Feel This Book, with longtime friend Ben Stiller.

Janeane Garofalo has been open and outspoken regarding her liberal political views, appearing in the past with figures such as Ralph Nader (whom she supported in 2000, but opposed in 2004) and Jello Biafra at events. She has expressed feminist views in interviews throughout her career, and more recently, advocated pacifism.

Janeane Garofalo became more prominent as an activist when she voiced opposition to what became the 2003 Iraq War, appearing on CNN and Fox News to discuss it. She said that she was approached by groups such as MoveOn.org and Win Without War to go on TV, because these organizations claim that the networks weren't allowing antiwar voices to be heard.

Janeane Garofalo and the other celebrities who appeared at the time said they thought their fame could lend attention to a side they believed was being ignored by the corporate media. Her appearances on cable news prior to the war garnered her praise from the left and spots on the cover of Ms. and Venus magazines. Garofalo has had frequent on-air political disputes with Bill O'Reilly, Brian Kilmeade and Jonah Goldberg.

Janeane Garofalo took part in the Code Pink antiwar march in Washington, D.C. in 2003. That fall, she served as mc at several stops on the "Tell Us the Truth" tour, a political-themed concert series featuring Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Tom Morello, and others. Throughout the year, Garofalo also actively campaigned for Howard Dean.

In late March 2004 she became a co-host for Air America Radio's new show The Majority Report alongside Sam Seder. Garofalo once said A program advertisement: "The battle to reclaim getting on the radio was an early career goal of hers. America from the forces of darkness continues with hosts Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder." The early days of Air America Radio are chronicled in the documentary Left of the Dial, which includes a debate between Janeane and her conservative father Carmine, who was initially a regular guest on The Majority Report.