Jane Kaczmarek Bio

Jane Kaczmarek won an American Comedy Award for best female in a comedy series.

Courtesy of Fox Television

Lois' husband, Hal, is played by Bryan Cranston.

Courtesy of Fox Television

Birth Date:December 21, 1955

Plain Jane Kaczmarek

Jane Kaczmarek was born inot a regular, Milwaukee, Wisconsin family. Her mom was a school teacher and her dad worked in the defense department. Jane Kaczmarek was the oldest of the four Kaczmarek kids, which also included brothers Jim and Bill and a sister, Mary. It wasn't until Jane Kaczmarek attened the University of Wisconsin as a theatre major that she really started thinking about being a star. At U of W, Kaczmarek met fellow a actor, Tony Shaloub, and he help motivate Jane to follow her acting dreams.

Jane Kaczmarek: Malcolm's Mom

Jane Kaczmarek worked as a drama teacher for a while after graduation. Then, Kaczmarek scored her graduate degree in theatre (from Yale,) before landing roles on Broadway and TV - including Felicity and Fraser. Jane Kaczmarek is a lot like the hard-nosed and slightly crazy mother she plays on Malcolm in the Middle. Jane Kaczmarek may not answer the door wearing a skirt and a bra, or embarrass her kids at any given moment like Lois does, but Jane still thinks parents should lay down the law. Kaczmarek tells Fox TV, "When there are things you want a kid to do, take control. Don't tell them why. Just say, 'Because I'm the mother, that's why.'"

Jane Kaczmarek - Did U Know?

Jane Kaczmarek is married to actor Bradley Whitford, who plays the Deputy Chief of Staff on the West Wing.

Jane Kaczmarek and Brad Whitford have two daughters, Frances and Mary Louisa, and a son named George.

For the record, Frances Kaczmarek has never been to military school.

Jane Kaczmarek Says...

"Lois is a great mother. They can't afford any help so she takes care of the kids along with working. They have dinner together every night. Those kids don't get away with anything."