Jennifer Westfeldt is an American actress, filmmaker, and playwright, born and raised in the United States. She graduated from Yale University and began her career as a theater actor in New York, starring in over 25 off-Broadway and regional productions.
Jennifer landed her first series regular role in ABC's Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place in 1998, alongside Ryan Reynolds, Traylor Howard, and Richard Ruccolo. She also co-wrote and starred in an off-Broadway play, "Lipschtick: The Story of Two Women Seeking The Perfect Shade", with Heather Juergensen, which caught the attention of Hollywood studios.
After one season on "Two Guys", Jennifer was pulled from the show to cast her as the lead of another show, the short-lived Holding the Baby on Fox. While working on sitcoms, she and Juergensen developed their play into a screenplay, eventually deciding to make their film independently, on a shoestring budget.
The film, Kissing Jessica Stein, was released to critical acclaim in 2002 and earned Jennifer the Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, an Indie Spirit Nomination for Best First Screenplay, and a Special Jury Prize for Writing and Acting at the Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Jennifer continued to work steadily in television, starring in pilots for the WB, F/X, and NBC, as well as doing recurring and guest roles on various shows. She also starred in the indie film, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, in 2004, opposite Paul Schneider.
Jennifer made her Broadway debut in 2003 in the critical and commercial hit, "Wonderful Town", starring opposite Donna Murphy and directed by Kathleen Marshall. She received a 2004 Tony nomination, a Theater World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut, and a Drama League Award for her role as "Eileen Sherwood".
Jennifer's second feature as an actress/scribe, Ira & Abby, marked her first solo screen-writing effort. The film won several awards and was acquired by Magnolia Pictures. She also starred in the TV movie, Before You Say 'I Do', opposite David Sutcliffe.
Jennifer's recent stage work includes the world premiere of Joe Gilford's "Finks" at the Powerhouse Theater, opposite Josh Radnor and directed by Charlie Stratton; the world premiere of Cusi Cram's "A Lifetime Burning" at Primary Stages off-Broadway, directed by Pam Mackinnon; "Three Sisters" at LA Theaterworks; and the world premiere of Stephen Belber's "The Power of Duff" at the Powerhouse Theater, opposite Greg Kinnear and directed by Peter Dubois.
On the big screen, Jennifer Westfeldt most recently wrote, starred in, and made her directorial debut in the indie hit, Friends with Kids, released by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions in 2012.
