Jane Krakowski Facts: Celebrities Who Started on Soaps

Jane Krakowski is best known for starring as Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock, Elaine Vassal on Ally McBeal, and Jacqueline White on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. But she got her start in soaps.

Along with her great television career — which has earned her a number of Emmy nominations — she’s also had a very successful career in movies and theater. From where she was born and raised to appearing in an iconic music video, here are five fast facts about the popular actress.

Who Is Jane Krakowski?

Krakowski was born on October 11 in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. She got involved with acting at a young age because her mother was a college theater instructor and an artistic director for the Women’s Theater Company. Krakowski started taking ballet lessons early in life and attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City.

Soap Beginnings
Krakowski’s first big television role was on the NBC soap opera Search for Tomorrow as Theresa Rebecca “TR” Kendall. She was on the show from 1984 to 1986 and was nominated for two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards.

Broadway Baby
Krakowski is not only a trained actress, but she’s also a talented singer and has been working in theater for decades. She has been in Broadway shows such as Starlight Express, Grand Hotel, Company, Once Upon a Mattress, and Nine. She was also in the West End production of Guys and Dolls.

Music Video Star

Along with her work in television, film, and on the stage, Krakowski is also a music video star! In fact, she played Wanda in the iconic music video for the Dixie Chick’s very popular song Goodbye Earl, which was released in 2000. She starred in that video alongside NYPD Blue’s Dennis Franz and Lauren Holly (ex-Julie, All My Children).

Getting Personal With Jane Krakowski
Krakowski became engaged to British menswear designer Robert Godley in 2009. They had a son together in April 2011, but the pair decided to split in 2013.