Jayne Eastwood

Summary

Jayne Eastwood (born December 17, 1946), also credited as Jane Easton or Jane Eastwood, is a Canadian actress and comedian. She is best known for her film roles as Anna-Marie Biddlecoff in Finders Keepers (1984), Judy the Waitress in The Santa Clause (1994), Mrs. White in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002-2023), Mrs. Borusewicz in Chicago (2002), Lucy Decker in Welcome to Mooseport (2004) and Miss Wimsey in Hairspray (2007).

Jayne Eastwood
Born (1946-12-17) December 17, 1946 (age 77)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other namesJane Easton
Jane Eastwood
EducationNorthern Secondary School of Toronto
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian
Years active1969–present
SpouseDavid Flaherty (died 2017)
Children3

She appeared in television roles including Gwen Twining in King of Kensington (1978–1980), Bernice in Material World, Aunt Agatha Flugelschmidt in the PBS Kids children's television series Noddy (1998–2000), Jeannie in Wild Card (2003), Bridget in Train 48 (2004–2005), Ronnie Sacks in This Is Wonderland (2005–2006), Maxine Bingly in Billable Hours (2006–2008), Miss Wispinski in Little Mosque on the Prairie (2008–2011) and Gloria Verrano in Haven (2013–2015).

Her voice roles include Birthday Bear in The Care Bears Family, Mrs. Rockchewer in The Neverending Story, Mrs. Kersplatski in Jojo's Circus, Lady Rataxes in Babar and the Adventures of Badou and Momma in Scaredy Squirrel.

Early life edit

Eastwood was born and raised in Hoggs Hollow of York Mills Road, in Toronto, Ontario. Her childhood was spent at a cottage in Muskoka, skiing in Collingwood, Ontario during winter and attending Northern Secondary School. She had attended a short class at the York Mills Collegiate Institute.[1]

Career edit

Eastwood's career was initially a painter. She ventured into acting when a commercial artist and friend of hers had invited her to play a role in a local play, Suddenly, Last Summer. A teacher, who was in the audience and revealed to be an acting agent, realized her potential.[2]

Her very first noticeable acting roles were in various commercials for Sani Flush, Scope, Facelle Royale, Paris Pat, Toyota, Wintario, and Molson Golden gang commercials with friends Gilda Radner and Andrea Martin.[1]

A veteran character actor who has appeared in films since 1970, Eastwood made an indelible mark on Canadian cinema early as the pregnant Betty in Don Shebib's classic Goin’ Down the Road. She was one of the original cast members of the Toronto branch of The Second City comedy troupe and was a semiregular on SCTV. She was in the original Toronto production of Godspell.[2]

In 2005, she joined the cast of This Is Wonderland, a courtroom comedy drama. In 2007, she played Miss Wimsey in Hairspray.[3] She is currently working in the Toronto theatrical production, Women Fully Clothed.[4]

She has been a voice actor in ALF: The Animated Series, Annedroids, Best Ed, Bob and Margaret, Dino Dan: Trek's Adventures, Half a Pantaloon, JoJo's Circus, Monster by Mistake, Peep and the Big Wide World, and Babar and the Adventures of Badou.[5] In 2013, she joined the cast of Haven as Dr. Gloria Veranno. She appears in seasons four and five.

Awards edit

In 2013, she received the National Award of Excellence from ACTRA.[6]

In 2019, she received the Award of Excellence at the Toronto ACTRA Awards.

At the 7th Canadian Screen Awards in 2019, Eastwood won the award for Best Supporting Performance in a Digital Program or Series for her appearance in the web series The Writers' Block.[7] At the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, she won the award for Best Lead Performance in a Digital Program or Series for Hey Lady!.[8]

Personal life edit

Eastwood is the widow of David Flaherty, who was a film and television writer, and brother of SCTV alumnus Joe Flaherty.[2]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1970 Goin' Down the Road Betty
1975 My Pleasure Is My Business Isabella
1977 One Man Alicia Brady
1978 The Case for Barbara Pasons Barbara Pasons
Tomorrow Never Comes Girl in bar
Drying Up the Streets Sheila
1983 Videodrome Woman Caller
1984 Finders Keepers Anna-Marie Biddlecoff
1985 Left Out
The Care Bears Movie Birthday Bear (voice)
1986 My Pet Monster Mrs. Smith Video
1987 Love at Stake Annabelle Porter
Night Friend Rita the bag lady
Nowhere to Hide Jean Bollinger
1988 Candy Mountain Lucille
Office Party Joan Talmage
1989 Cold Comfort Mrs. Brockel
1990 Stella Nurse
Straight Line Audrey Casper
1994 The Circle Game Marie
The Santa Clause Judy the Waitress
1996 Joe's Wedding Agatha Rankin
1997 That Old Feeling Aunt Iris
1998 Mirai Mrs. Hasegawa (voice) Direct to video
1999 Resurrection Dolores Koontz
2000 Where the Money Is Connie
2002 My Big Fat Greek Wedding Mrs. White
Duct Tape Forever
Chicago Mrs. Borusewicz
2003 How to Deal Mrs. Toussaint
Snow in the Skeleton Key Granny Dowd Short film
Public Domain
2004 Welcome to Mooseport Lucy Decker
Dawn of the Dead Norma
Moss Ramona Coogan Short film
Raymond Radcliffe Edie Chisholm
Care Bears: Forever Friends Funshine Bear (voice) Video short
2006 Snow Cake Ellen Freeman
Skinheads Mother Short film
Find Ma'am
Monkey Warfare Garage Sale Lady
2007 You Kill Me Kathleen Fitzgerald
Hairspray Miss Wimsey
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story 70s Girl (uncredited)
2008 Real Time Grandma
The Echo Lucille Jiminez
Coopers' Camera Nana Gert
2009 St. Roz Mrs. P
2011 Servitude Edna
Moon Point Femur's Grandmother
Down the Road Again Betty
2012 Looking Is the Original Sin Janet
The Story of Luke Theresa
2014 Beethoven's Treasure Tail Grace O'Malley Video
2015 No Stranger Than Love Brenda
2016 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Mrs. White
The Second Time Around Betty
The Space Between Luella
2019 Buffaloed Rhonda
2020 Work It Ruthie
Jump, Darling Jeanne
2021 Trigger Point Irene Cole
Home Sweet Home Alone Grandma (uncredited)
2022 Hotel for the Holidays Florence
2023 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Mrs. White

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1970 That's Show Biz
The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour Various
Party Game Charades Player
1971 Famous Jury Trials
1974 Deedee TV movie
Back to Beulah
1974–1975 Funny Farm
1975–1976 Summer of '75 Host
1975 Performance Sadie Episode: "Lulu Street"
1976 Hardy Episode: "The Last of the Four Letter Words"
Ada Leslie
Stay Tuned
1976-1984 SCTV Various Recurring role
1977 The World of Darkness Helen TV movie
For the Record Episode: "Ada"
1978 High Hopes Louise Bates TV movie
1978–1980 King of Kensington Gwen Twining 23 episodes
1980 Bizarre Main role
1981 For the Record Episode: "Snowbird"
1981–1982 The Littlest Hobo Felicity Patelli Episodes: "Hidden Room", "Rex Badger P.I."
Hangin' In Audrey / Mrs. Costello Episodes: "I'm Not a Marriage Counselor", "Plasma Suite" & "Christmas Wrapping"
1984 When We First Met TV movie
1985 Anne of Green Gables Mrs. Hammond
The Ray Bradbury Theater Mrs. Braling Episode: "Marionettes, Inc."
1985–1988 The Care Bears Family Birthday Bear / Bedtime Bear (voice) 57 episodes
1985–1987 Night Heat Various 5 episodes
1986 Seeing Things Rita Episode: "The Walls Have Eyes"
1987 Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show The Evil Queen Episode: "Snow White Elephant"
The Kidnapping of Baby John Doe Joan TV movie
Today's Special Flora Frimble Episode: "Ice Cream"
Shades of Love: Indigo Autumn Louise TV movie
Really Weird Tales Mother Superior Segment: "I'll Die Loving"
Echoes in the Darkness Betty Vannort TV movie
1988 Diamonds Episode: "Family Business"
Ramona Mrs. Whaley Episode: "Squeakerfoot"
Episode: "Ramona the Patient"
Drop-Out Mother Blanche TV movie
Once Upon a Giant Diabolica the Bad Witch
God Bless the Child Mrs. Prentice
ALF Tales Additional voices T
1988–1989 ALF: The Animated Series 13 episodes
1989 Andrea Martin... Together Again Marsha Martin TV movie
Starting from Scratch Episode: "Robbie and Friends"
Small Sacrifices Evelyn Slaven TV movie
1990 Mom P.I. Episode: "Beneath the Pacific"
Back to the Beanstalk Jack's Mother TV movie
Friday the 13th: The Series Joni Episode: "My Wife as a Dog"
War of the Worlds Grace Episode: "Candle in the Night"
Wish You Were Here Stella Episode: "Budapest"
The Ray Bradbury Theater Elmira Brown Episode: "Exorcism"
1990–1992 Material World Bernice 25 episodes
1991–1992 Maniac Mansion Avi's mother /Kaite /Hildie Muckle Episodes: "The Cliffhanger", "The New Look" & "Streetcar Named Idella"
1992 Partners in Love Heddy Taylor TV movie
1993 Secret Service Hillary Episode: "Something for Nothing/The Amateur"
Ghost Mom Pearl TV movie
Shining Time Station Helga Boonswaggle / Jane Episodes: "Bad Luck Day At Shining Time Station" & "Schemer Presents: How To Apologize"
1994 Against Their Will: Women in Prison Marge TV movie
Street Legal Det. Jane Stamp Episodes: "Last Rites: Part 1 & 2"
Tales from the Cryptkeeper (voice) Episode: "Transvylvania Express"
1994–1997 The Busy World of Richard Scarry 39 episodes
1995 The Neverending Story Mrs. Rockchewer (voice) Episode: "The Meek and the Mighty"
Episode: "Missing Memories"
Harrison Bergeron Ms. Newbound TV movie
1995–1996 Side Effects Happy Hartwell Episodes: "Pillow Talk", "Sex, Death and Rock 'n' Roll"
1996 Goosebumps Woman in Line Episodes: "A Night in Terror Tower: Parts 1 & 2"
Devil's Food Margaret TV movie
Undue Influence Mrs. Miller
Dangerous Offender: The Marlene Moore Story Mrs. Moore
A Holiday for Love Margie
1997 Riverdale Gloria
1998 Twitch City Nathan's Mother Episode: "I Look Like Joyce DeWitt"
Once a Thief Miss Finchley (voice) Episode: "The Director Files"
Bob and Margaret Cookie Fish / Joyce (voice) Episode: "A Tale of Two Dentists"
1998–2000 Noddy Aunt Agatha Flugelschmidt 66 Episodes
1999 Deep in My Heart Mrs. Marsdon TV movie
Mind Prey Police Chief Roux
1999 A Holiday Romance Margie
2000 La Femme Nikita Selma Hertz Episode: "Catch a Falling Star"
Code Name: Eternity Lucy Episode: "Dark of the Night"
Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science Deidre Porchev Episode: "If the Shoe Fits"
For Better or For Worse Mrs. Dingle (voice) 5 episodes
2000-2001 Twice in a Lifetime Emma Price/Lulu Episodes: "For Love and Money" & "Daddy's Girl"
2001 Club Land Nurse Doris TV movie
The Wandering Soul Murders Beth Mirasty
What Makes a Family Judge Shales
Made in Canada Miss Barnes Episode: "Beaver Creek: Live"
Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows Lottie TV movie
Screech Owls Mrs. Dunlap Episode: "A Fine Balance"
Royal Canadian Air Farce Various Episode: "9.4"
The Endless Grind Various TV series
Bob and Margaret Cookie Fish / Joyce (voice) Episode: "A Very Fishy Christmas"
2002 Widows Audrey Episode: "Hour One"
Just a Walk in the Park TV movie
The Man Who Saved Christmas Mrs. Gilbert
2002-2003 Moville Mysteries Granny (voice) 3 episodes
2003 Monster by Mistake Dolores (voice) Episode: "Warren's Nightmare"
In the Family Alice/Donna Ingram TV movie
My Big Fat Greek Life Mrs. White
Wild Card Jeannie 4 episodes
Slings and Arrows Episode: "Playing the Swan"
2003–2006 JoJo's Circus Mrs. Kersplatski 9 episodes
2003 The Berenstain Bears Great Aunt Bess (voice) Episode: "Family Get-Together"
2004 Peep and the Big Wide World Rabbit
The Shields Stories Episode: "The Harp"
Brave New Girl TV movie
Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye Janice Episode: "The Kiss"
Hustle Marge Schott TV movie
Suburban Madness Sheila
Degrassi: The Next Generation Mrs. Cameron Episode: "Back in Black"
2004–2005 Train 48 Bridget 3 episodes
2005 I Do, They Don't Thelma TV movie
Riding the Bus with My Sister Estella
Wayside School Miss Mush
Atomic Betty Betty's Grandma Episode: "Franken Brain"
Episode: "The NO-L9"
2005–2006 This Is Wonderland Ronnie Sacks 23 episodes
2006 Relative Chaos Carol Gilbert TV movie
Candles on Bay Street Sarah
The Great Polar Bear Adventure Hillary (voice)
Wedding Wars Wanda Grandy
2006–2008 Billable Hours Maxine Bingly 20 episodes
2007 Wayside Miss Mush (voice) recurring role
Ruby Gloom Ma (voice) Episode: "Skull in the Family"
Ricky Sprocket: Showbiz Boy Bunny Sprocket (voice) 25 episodes
Twitches Too Mrs. Norseng TV movie
Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost Mable Crabtree
2008 Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid
Best Ed Other voices 26 episodes
Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning Mrs. Hammond TV movie
2008–2011 Little Mosque on the Prairie Mrs. Wispinski Recurring role
2009 Northern Lights Mayor Hopp TV movie
Bob & Doug Gladys McKenzie Episode: "No Country for Old People"
The Ron James Show Steve's Mother Episode: "1.4"
The National Tree Lana TV movie
The Christmas Hope Charlotte
2010 Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars Ms. Elson
Living in Your Car Lola Episodes: "1.8 & "1.13"
Skatoony Charles' Granny Episodes: Skeleton Crew In Da House and Hooray for Bollywood
Pirates: Adventures in Art Queen Conformia
2010–2011 Babar and the Adventures of Badou Lady Rataxes (voice) 15 episodes
2011–2013 Scaredy Squirrel Momma (voice) Recurring role
2011 Lost Girl Velma Episode: "BrotherFae of the Wolves"
Silent Witness Sara Croft TV movie
12 Dates of Christmas Margine Frumkin
2012 Bill & Son's Towing Short
King Margie Reynolds Episode: "Jared and Stacy Cooper"
Episode: "Wendy Stetler"
2013–2015 Haven Gloria Verrano Recurring role
2014 Christmas at Cartwright's Mrs. Rositani TV movie
2016 All Yours Vivian
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again The Butler
2017 & 2024 Murdoch Mysteries Mary Baker Eddy / Abigail Halston Episodes: "The Accident" & "Mrs. Crabtree's Neighbourhood"
2017-2022 Workin' Moms Goldie 9 episodes
2018 Cupcake & Dino: General Services Additional Voices 3 episodes
Star Falls Granny King Episode: "The Family Picnic"
2020 Hey Lady! Lady Web series
2021 Overlord and the Underwoods Nana Kirkland
2021-2023 PAW Patrol Helga Humdinger 3 episodes
2022 Pink Is In Mabel Dungworth Episode: "A Pink and Green Christmas"

References edit

  1. ^ a b Kelly, Peggy (October 1983). "Canadian actress at the crossroads". Cinema Canada.
  2. ^ a b c Ahearn, Victoria (February 22, 2019). "ACTRA honours character actor Jayne Eastwood after five decades in show business". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  3. ^ "Don Shebib and Jayne Eastwood". CBC News. CBC. as guests on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  4. ^ Cameron, Kelly (June 8, 2011). "BWW Interviews: Women Fully Clothed's Jayne Eastwood". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Profile, northernstars.ca. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "Jayne Eastwood to Receive Award of Excellence". Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  7. ^ "How to Buy a Baby among winners at Canadian Screen Awards digital gala". The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. March 29, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  8. ^ Victoria Ahearn, "Sarah Polley, Jayne Eastwood among winners on night 2 of Canadian Screen Awards". Kelowna Daily Courier, May 18, 2021.

External links edit

  • Jayne Eastwood at IMDb