Janeane Garofalo

Janeane Garofalo

61 · Born: Sep 28, 1964

Personal Details

Height5' 1"
BornSep 28, 1964 Newton, New Jersey, USA
Spouse
  • Brody Tate

    ( Apr 4, 2015 to Dec 15, 2025 )
  • Robert Cohen

    ( Aug 16, 1992 to Nov 10, 2012 )
Parents
  • Carmine Garofalo
  • Joan Garofalo

Biography

Janeane Garofalo: A Life of Wit and Frustration

Born in 1964 in Newton, New Jersey, Janeane Garofalo is a petite woman with a sharp tongue and a penchant for poking fun at the absurdities of life. Her parents, Joan and Carmine Garofalo, an Exxon executive, instilled in her a strong sense of identity, which would later manifest in her biting wit and sharp observations.

Before breaking into the entertainment industry, Janeane worked a variety of jobs, including as a bike messenger, shoe saleswoman, waitress, and temp secretary. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for comedy, inspired by watching David Letterman on TV. By 1985, she was performing stand-up comedy and quickly gained a reputation for her acerbic wit and clever observations.

Janeane's early success led to her being cast in several TV shows, including The Ben Stiller Show, for which she received an Emmy nomination. She continued to work with Ben Stiller on future projects, including the hit movie Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. In this film, she played a smart, cynical, and successful businesswoman who uses her razor-sharp wit to navigate the challenges of high school reunion.

Janeane's success on the big screen led to her being cast in a number of other films, including Mystery Men, in which she played a character with a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Throughout her career, Janeane has continued to work in TV and movies, often collaborating with Ben Stiller on a variety of projects.

Despite her success, Janeane has not been afraid to speak her mind and has been vocal about her frustrations with the entertainment industry. Her sharp wit and caustic nature have made her a beloved figure among fans of comedy, and her unique perspective has earned her a reputation as a true original.

In addition to her work in TV and movies, Janeane has also been a vocal advocate for a number of social and political causes. Her sharp wit and quick tongue have made her a formidable opponent in the world of politics, and her passion for social justice has inspired many.

In conclusion, Janeane Garofalo is a talented comedian and actress who has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Her sharp wit, caustic nature, and quick tongue have earned her a reputation as a true original, and her passion for social justice has inspired many.

Career

2025
Boys Go to Jupiter
Boys Go to Jupiter as Dr. Dolphin (voice)
2022
Mercy Black
Mercy Black as Dr. Ward
The Apology
The Apology as Gretchen Sullivan
We Baby Bears
We Baby Bears as Madam Malin
2021
The God Committee
The God Committee as Dr. Valerie Gilroy
Younger
Younger as Cass Dekennessy
2020
Helpsters
Helpsters as Subway Sandra
The Happys
The Happys as Luann
Submission
Submission as Magda Moynahan
2017
Sandy Wexler
Sandy Wexler as Testimonial
2016
The American Side
The American Side as Agent Barry
2015
3rd Street Blackout
3rd Street Blackout as June Sherman
2014
A Little Game
A Little Game as Sarah Kuftinec
2013
2012
General Education
General Education as Gale Collins
Mighty Fine
Mighty Fine as Narrator (voice)
Delocated
Delocated as Susan Shapiro
2010
Ideal
Ideal as Tilly
2009
Love Hurts
Love Hurts as Hannah Rosenbloom
Labor Pains
Labor Pains as Claire
Funny People
Funny People as Friend in video (archive footage) (uncredited)
24
24 as Janis Gold
2008
The Guitar
The Guitar as Dr. Murray
A Bad Situationist
A Bad Situationist as Lenore Stein
Ratatouille
Ratatouille as Colette (voice)
Then She Found Me
Then She Found Me as Janeane Garofalo
Southland Tales
Southland Tales as General Teena MacArthur
The Ten
The Ten as Beth Soden
2006
The Wild
The Wild as Bridget (voice)
Freak Show
Freak Show as The Bearded Clam
2005
Stay
Stay as Dr. Beth Levy
The West Wing
The West Wing as Louise Thornton
Wonderland
Wonderland as Joy Miller
Manhood
Manhood as Jill
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley as Quiz Kings Contestant (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Big Trouble
Big Trouble as Monica Romero
The Laramie Project
The Laramie Project as Catherine Connolly
Martin & Orloff
Martin & Orloff as Hairdresser
Titan A.E.
Titan A.E. as Stith (voice)
The Independent
The Independent as Paloma Fineman
Steal This Movie
Steal This Movie as Anita Hoffman
Sammy
Sammy as (voice)
1999
Can't Stop Dancing
Can't Stop Dancing as Belinda Peck
Mystery Men
Mystery Men as Bowler / Carol
Dogma
Dogma as Liz
1998
Clay Pigeons
Clay Pigeons as Agent Dale Shelby
Permanent Midnight
Permanent Midnight as Jana Farmer
Dog Park
Dog Park as Jeri
The Thin Pink Line
The Thin Pink Line as Joyce Wintergarden-Dingle
Half Baked
Half Baked as I'm Only Creative When I Smoke Smoker (uncredited)
Felicity
Felicity as Sally Reardon (voice) (uncredited)
1997
The MatchMaker
The MatchMaker as Marcy Tizard
Cop Land
Cop Land as Deputy Cindy Betts
Touch
Touch as Kathy Worthington
Sweethearts
Sweethearts as Jasmine Pogue
1996
The Cable Guy
The Cable Guy as Medieval Waitress
1995
Bye Bye Love
Bye Bye Love as Lucille
Now and Then
Now and Then as Wiladene
1994
Reality Bites
Reality Bites as Vickie Miner
The Ben Stiller Show
The Ben Stiller Show as Various Characters
1991
Late for Dinner
Late for Dinner as Counter Girl