Happy Accidents

By: Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett - foreword

Narrated by: Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett (foreword)

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

In the summer of 1974, a 14-year-old girl in Dolton, Illinois, had a dream. A dream to become an actress, like her idols Ron Howard and Vicki Lawrence. But it was a long way from the South Side of Chicago to Hollywood, and it didn’t help that she’d recently dropped out of the school play, The Ugly Duckling, or that the Hollywood casting directors she wrote to replied that "professional training was a requirement".

But the funny thing is, it all came true. Through a series of happy accidents, Jane Lynch created an improbable—and hilarious—path to success. In those early years, despite her dreams, she was also consumed with anxiety, feeling out of place in both her body and her family. To deal with her worries about her sexuality, she escaped in positive ways—such as joining a high-school chorus not unlike the one in Glee—but also found destructive outlets. She started drinking almost every night during her freshman year of high school and developed a mean and judgmental streak that turned her into a real-life Sue Sylvester.

Then, at 31, she started to get her life together. She was finally able to embrace her sexuality, come out to her parents, and quit drinking for good. Soon after, a Frosted Flakes commercial and a chance meeting in a coffee shop led to a role in the Christopher Guest movie Best in Show, which helped her to get cast in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Similar coincidences and chance meetings led to roles in movies starring Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and even Meryl Streep in 2009's Julie & Julia.

Then, of course, came the two lucky accidents that truly changed her life. Getting lost in a hotel led to an introduction to her future wife, Lara. And then a series she’d signed up for abruptly got canceled, making it possible for her to take the role of Sue Sylvester in Glee, which made her a megastar. Today, Jane Lynch has finally found the contentment she thought she’d never have.

Part comic memoir and part inspirational narrative, this is a book equally for the rabid Glee fan and for anyone who needs a new perspective on life, love, and success.

Read by the author, with a foreword written and read by Carol Burnett.

©2011 Canyon Lady Productions (P)2011 Hyperion (packaging elements only)

Critic reviews

"A triumphant memoir recounting the inner struggles of one of the most versatile actresses working today…Achingly sad and sweetly comic at the same time." ( Kirkus)

"[A] frank, engaging, and at times uproariously funny autobiography of a roller-coaster life." ( Vogue)

I liked this book

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Because I always learn something & generally this leads me to other interesting information. For example, the TV show Jane went on to star in "Glee," was one I hadn't chosen to watch. Probably because I started watching it somewhere in the middle of the series & by then it didn’t make much sense to me. It was like watching a movie in the middle of it. Anyway I ordered the pilot of Glee & thoroughly enjoyed it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jane herself, because I appreciated her honestly & candor & her biography gave me a much deeper understanding of her life & her acting experiences. And it just goes to show people are much more than the covers they wear around themselves like a book. In Janes case her personal life became an acting experience. I began noticing Jane when she played the therapist for 'Charlie,' for the two & a half men series. Being a therapist myself I thought her performance was very beleivable. It wasn't so much what she said but how she said her lines & how she appeared to the audience. She carried herself & her part with a great deal of assured confidence. And dealing with the stars of that show who were (always clowning around) was no easy feat. As an actor watching her act with Charlie Sheen & others was always fun to watch. She seemed to always get behind him & swat him on the back of the head with her lines without him even noticing.
Her book was enlightening & i am sure helpful to others who may be going through similar challenges.

What about Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) ’s performance did you like?

I always adored Carol Burnett. As a comedian she is the best & her foreward was a real tribute to Jane.

Do you think Happy Accidents needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Any book could use a follow up if life continues to be ever changing & interesting.

Amazing!!!

I have always been a huge fan of Jane Lynch ❤️ so listening to her book was interesting, funny and heartwarming. thank you for sharing!

Love Jane

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book. I enjoyed the book, I loved listening to Jane.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed hearing her story about coming to terms with herself, and how she evolved over the years.

great listening

I had a great time listening to this book. there was sarcasm as well amd very serious times in her life. she didn't live some luxurious life she started from the bottom and worked hard to get to the talk. great book for encouragement.

More than just the evil lady on Glee

I really enjoyed this book, You never realize what's behind all these stars you see on TV, unless you follow them like a fan. I follow nobody, and by chance I caught this audiobook on sale, so I grabbed it. Its a really neat story. If you are homophobic, you won't wanna touch it though. It seems to me that breaking into an acting career requires both hard work and luck.

jane lynch is great!

she is a wonderful actor and it was great to hear her memoirs. she needs to write another one for the last 10 years because I'm sure so much more has happened in her life.

Great story of a fantastic person m

So grateful to have heard this wonderful journey. Jane Lynch's story is, fun, relatable and hopeful. ❤️

So much fun to listen to! I love Jane Lynch!

Would you consider the audio edition of Happy Accidents to be better than the print version?

Jane's infectious smile comes through in so many places in this book. Her reading makes me laugh throughout the entire book.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved hearing her talk about the different plays and shows she's been in, and how she got to where she is today.

Love this woman more now than ever!

I really connected with this book. Jane is a real person and really lays herself out there for the listener. I am a big fan of books read by their authors. What a great lifespan and so many smaller stories within the life of Jane Lynch. You will love it.

Interesting, but half way through begins to drag

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Jane is quick, funny, spontateous-but her self discovery and life story needs something.? Not really sure what.

If you’ve listened to books by Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) before, how does this one compare?

I haven't.

What three words best describe Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) ’s voice?

All were good.

Do you think Happy Accidents needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Any additional comments?

Not sure what I was missing. . .Jane has had a great life and career path and she made her opportunities. . .somehow, I got lost about half to 3/4 through it.