Biography
A native of Cleveland, OH, actress Kathryn Hahn received her first taste of show business in the late '80s, when the then-teenager scored a live-action role opposite several puppets on the locally produced children's program Hickory Hideout. Hahn formally studied acting at the Yale School of Drama, and just prior to her final year of 2000-2001 (in mid-summer stock), the performer caught the attention of an NBC casting recruiter, who tapped her for a regular role on the prime-time drama
Crossing Jordan; she played amiable grief counselor Lily Lebowski for the full run of the series (2001-2007).
Meanwhile, film roles began pouring in right and left, beginning with visible turns as
Kate Hudson's health editor roommate in the hit romantic comedy
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and as a barmaid with more than a passing crush on
Topher Grace in Robert Luketic's gentle romantic comedy Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004). Hahn subsequently commenced a long series of assignments for Hollywood's highest-profiled directors and producers, including bit parts in the
Judd Apatow-
Adam McKay farce Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) and
Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy
The Holiday (2006), and a small supporting role in the
Robert Shaye-directed fantasy
The Last Mimzy (2007).
After her
Crossing Jordan role ended with the series' cancellation in 2007, Hahn was able to work more freely in other venues, which became apparent with her output in 2008. She took on another cinematic supporting turn in the
Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly comedy
Step Brothers and starred opposite
Leonardo DiCaprio and
Kate Winslet in the period suburban drama
Revolutionary Road. That same year, Hahn made her Broadway debut in the Tony award-winning play Boeing-Boeing. Throughout her various assignments, Hahn drew high praise for her comedic ability, which netted occasional comparisons to
Carol Burnett. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide