When you’re a young actor, straight out of the gate it’s hard to get started, to catch that first big break. Sometimes you get lucky though, and often it comes as a complete surprise. This was the case with Melanie Lynskey, who was discovered one afternoon by director Peter Jackson’s wife, Fran Walsh. She was immediately cast in Jackson’s indie hit, Heavenly Creatures opposite future Titanic star, Kate Winslet.

When you’re a young actor, it also helps to have a director who believes in your talent. Peter Jackson was so impressed with Melanie, that he cast her in one of his next projects, The Frighteners, co-starring Michael J. Fox. However, after these two projects, Lynskey’s career didn’t pick up steam until a few years later. After travelling from her native New Zealand to L.A. she landed a role in Drew Barrymore’s Cinderella-story, Ever After, and followed that up in the ode to all things KISS, Detroit Rock City. Since then she’s landed roles in the controversial indie hit, But I’m A Cheerleader and found herself amongst the impressive young female cast of Coyote Ugly. Things certainly seem to be looking up. (Full Bio ....)

Claustrophobia (2003) .... Lauren 
Abandon (2002) .... Mousy Julie 
Sweet Home Alabama (2002) .... Lurlynn 
Snakeskin (2001) .... Alice 
Coyote Ugly (2000) .... Gloria Molinario 
Measureless to Man (1999) 
But I'm a Cheerleader (1999) .... Hilary Vandermuller 
Detroit Rock City (1999) .... Beth Bumsteen 
Ever After (1998) .... Jacqueline De Ghent 
Frighteners, The (1996) .... Deputy 
Heavenly Creatures (1994) .... Pauline Yvonne Rieper