Jennifer Coolidge, known for her standout performances in Legally Blonde and The White Lotus, recently shared her struggles with being typecast in Hollywood. For years, the actress found herself confined to roles that portrayed her as nothing more than a glamorous, spoiled “trophy wife,” limiting her ability to explore more diverse characters.
Stuck in a Hollywood Stereotype
Coolidge, who gained widespread recognition as Jeanine Stifler, or “Stifler’s mom,” in the American Pie franchise, opened up about her experience in an interview with Us Weekly. She revealed that despite her talent, the industry repeatedly offered her the same type of roles.
“I was just offered these sort of trophy wife parts over and over,” she said.
The actress recalled how predictable these roles became. “There would be scripts at my front doorstep. And I’d pick ’em up and I’d be like, ‘Ah, I know exactly what these are gonna be.’”
She continued, “And sure enough, a lot of ’em were just sort of the same woman and a rich guy, spoiled wife being offered continually as if that was all I could do.”
Breaking Free with Exciting New Roles
Despite facing years of typecasting, Coolidge has successfully transitioned into more dynamic roles. She is now set to star in the upcoming crime-comedy Riff Raff, where she will appear alongside Pete Davidson, Gabrielle Union, and Bill Murray.
“It was all quite intimidating, to be honest,” she admitted. “I’ve been very lucky, and I’ve gotten to work with some really cool people. But I have to say, I really did keep pinching myself when I was there filming.”
Overcoming Industry Challenges
Coolidge also revealed that during her struggles, she received “no guidance at all,” making it even harder to break out of the typecasting cycle. However, her perseverance and determination have finally paid off, as she now enjoys a flourishing career with a wider variety of roles.
With The White Lotus earning her critical acclaim and new projects showcasing her range, Jennifer Coolidge continues to prove that she is far more than just the Hollywood “trophy wife” stereotype.
