Jane Krakowski

Jane Krakowski is a Tony-winning actress and Broadway stage star. She is best known for the roles of Cousin Vicki in “National Lampoon's Vacation,” and Jenna Maroney in the NBC comedy series “30 Rock,” for which she received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Born in Parsippany, NJ on Oct. 11, 1968, Jane Krakowsk began acting at the age of 15. Her big-screen debut, as Cousin Vicki, in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” led to other small roles in such films as “Fatal Attraction” (1987) and “Stepping Out” (1991), but it was her two-year, daytime Emmy-nominated stint as troubled teen Rebecca ‘T.R.’ Kendall on the long-running soap “Search for Tomorrow” (CBS, 1951-1986) for which she was most recognized at that time.

Krakowski landed the key role of Dinah the Dining Car in "Starlight Express" (1987). As one of only four performers to remain with the notoriously difficult show for its entire two-year run, Krakowski had to learn to sing and dance while performing on roller skates. When casting the musical "Grand Hotel," Tune remembered the petite singer-dancer and cast her as the secretary, Flaemchen – the role played by Joan Crawford in the 1932 film. Krakowski’s rendition of "I Want to Go to Hollywood" became a nightly showstopper and earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination for both Drama Desk and Tony awards. She has also landed featured roles in the Broadway revivals of "Company" (1995) and "Once Upon a Mattress" (1996).

She then starred as Elaine Vassal on “Ally McBeal" in 2002. Krakowski then signed on to the comedy "Marci X," a film starring Lisa Kudrow and Damon Wayans. She then went on to a triumphant stint on Broadway, winning the 2003 Tony Award for her portrayal of Carla in the musical "Nine.” Her performance also earned the actress her first Drama Desk Award and the highly coveted Outer Critic's Award.

On the big screen, Krakowski appeared in "Alfie” in 2004. She was given the opportunity to show her stuff by singing and dancing on screen in the NBC musical "A Christmas Carol" (2004), opposite Kelsey Grammer. She followed up her musical turn in the dark indie comedy, "Pretty Persuasion" (2005). Returning to the stage in 2006, Krakowski scored another career triumph by winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Miss Adelaide in the London revival of "Guys and Dolls."

In 2006, NBC hired Krakowski to replace comedienne Rachel Dratch for the pilot of “30 Rock.” Throughout the first three seasons, Krakowski proved to be an invaluable member of the show’s ensemble, further developing her character as an all-important, shameless attention-getter with hilariously transparent motives behind her every prima donna stunt. As part of the cast, Krakowski shared an Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Award from the Screen Actor’s Guild in 2008. The following year, she earned an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy – the first of her career.