Jayne Eastwood Explained

Birth Date:17 December 1946
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Education:Northern Secondary School of Toronto
Occupation:Actress, comedian
Yearsactive:1969–present
Othername:Jane Easton
Jane Eastwood
Spouse:David Flaherty (died 2017)
Children:3

Jayne Eastwood (born December 17, 1946), also credited as Jane Easton or Jane Eastwood, is a Canadian actress and comedian. She is best known for her film roles as Anna-Marie Biddlecoff in Finders Keepers (1984), Judy the Waitress in The Santa Clause (1994), Mrs. White in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002–2023), Mrs. Borusewicz in Chicago (2002), Lucy Decker in Welcome to Mooseport (2004) and Miss Wimsey in Hairspray (2007).

She appeared in television roles including Gwen Twining in King of Kensington (1978–1980), Bernice in Material World, Aunt Agatha Flugelschmidt in the PBS Kids children's television series Noddy (1998–2000), Jeannie in Wild Card (2003), Bridget in Train 48 (2004–2005), Ronnie Sacks in This Is Wonderland (2005–2006), Maxine Bingly in Billable Hours (2006–2008), Miss Wispinski in Little Mosque on the Prairie (2008–2011) and Gloria Verrano in Haven (2013–2015).

Her voice roles include Birthday Bear in The Care Bears Family, Mrs. Rockchewer in The Neverending Story, Mrs. Kersplatski in Jojo's Circus, Lady Rataxes in Babar and the Adventures of Badou, Momma in Scaredy Squirrel and Helga Humdinger in PAW Patrol.

Early life

Eastwood was born and raised in Hoggs Hollow of York Mills Road, in Toronto, Ontario. Her childhood was spent at a cottage in Muskoka, skiing in Collingwood, Ontario during winter and attending Northern Secondary School. She had attended a short class at the York Mills Collegiate Institute.[1]

Career

Eastwood's career was initially a painter. She ventured into acting when a commercial artist and friend of hers had invited her to play a role in a local play, Suddenly, Last Summer. A teacher, who was in the audience and revealed to be an acting agent, realized her potential.[2]

Her very first noticeable acting roles were in various commercials for Sani Flush, Scope, Facelle Royale, Paris Pat, Toyota, Wintario, and Molson Golden gang commercials with friends Gilda Radner and Andrea Martin.[1]

A veteran character actor who has appeared in films since 1970, Eastwood made an indelible mark on Canadian cinema early as the pregnant Betty in Don Shebib's classic Goin’ Down the Road. She was one of the original cast members of the Toronto branch of The Second City comedy troupe and was a semiregular on SCTV. She was in the original Toronto production of Godspell.[2]

In 2005, she joined the cast of This Is Wonderland, a courtroom comedy drama. In 2007, she played Miss Wimsey in Hairspray.[3] She is currently working in the Toronto theatrical production, Women Fully Clothed.[4]

She has been a voice actor in , Annedroids, Best Ed, Bob and Margaret, , Half a Pantaloon, JoJo's Circus, Monster by Mistake, Peep and the Big Wide World, and Babar and the Adventures of Badou.[5] In 2013, she joined the cast of Haven as Dr. Gloria Veranno. She appears in seasons four and five.

Awards

In 2013, she received the National Award of Excellence from ACTRA.[6]

In 2019, she received the Award of Excellence at the Toronto ACTRA Awards.

At the 7th Canadian Screen Awards in 2019, Eastwood won the award for Best Supporting Performance in a Digital Program or Series for her appearance in the web series The Writers' Block.[7] At the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, she won the award for Best Lead Performance in a Digital Program or Series for Hey Lady!.[8] At the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024, Eastwood won the award for Best Performance in an Animated Program or Series for her voice role in PAW Patrol.[9]

Personal life

Eastwood is the widow of David Flaherty, who was a film and television writer, and brother of SCTV alumnus Joe Flaherty.[2]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleclass=unsortableNotes
1970Goin' Down the RoadBetty
1975My Pleasure Is My BusinessIsabella
1977One ManAlicia Brady
1978data-sort-value="Case for Barbara Pasons, The" The Case for Barbara PasonsBarbara Pasons
Tomorrow Never ComesGirl in bar
Drying Up the StreetsSheila
1983VideodromeWoman Caller
1984Finders KeepersAnna-Marie Biddlecoff
1985Left Out
data-sort-value="Care Bears Movie, The" The Care Bears MovieBirthday Bear (voice)
1986My Pet MonsterMrs. SmithVideo
1987Love at StakeAnnabelle Porter
Night FriendRita the bag lady
Nowhere to HideJean Bollinger
1988Candy MountainLucille
Office PartyJoan Talmage
1989Cold ComfortMrs. Brockel
1990StellaNurse
Straight LineAudrey Casper
1994data-sort-value="Circle Game, The" The Circle GameMarie
data-sort-value="Santa Clause, The" The Santa ClauseJudy the Waitress
1996Joe's WeddingAgatha Rankin
1997That Old FeelingAunt Iris
1998MiraiMrs. Hasegawa (voice)Direct to video
1999ResurrectionDolores Koontz
2000Where the Money IsConnie
2002My Big Fat Greek WeddingMrs. White
Duct Tape Forever
ChicagoMrs. Borusewicz
2003How to DealMrs. Toussaint
Snow in the Skeleton KeyGranny DowdShort film
Public Domain
2004Welcome to MooseportLucy Decker
Dawn of the DeadNorma
MossRamona CooganShort film
Raymond RadcliffeEdie Chisholm
Care Bears: Forever FriendsFunshine Bear (voice)Video short
2006Snow CakeEllen Freeman
SkinheadsMotherShort film
FindMa'am
Monkey WarfareGarage Sale Lady
2007You Kill MeKathleen Fitzgerald
HairsprayMiss Wimsey
70s Girl (uncredited)
2008Real TimeGrandma
data-sort-value="Echo, The" The EchoLucille Jiminez
Coopers' CameraNana Gert
2009St. RozMrs. P
2011ServitudeEdna
Moon PointFemur's Grandmother
Down the Road AgainBetty
2012Looking Is the Original SinJanet
data-sort-value="Story of Luke, The" The Story of LukeTheresa
2014 Beethoven's Treasure TailGrace O'MalleyVideo
2015No Stranger Than LoveBrenda
2016My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2Mrs. White
data-sort-value="Second Time Around, The" The Second Time AroundBetty
data-sort-value="Space Between, The" The Space BetweenLuella
2019BuffaloedRhonda
2020Work ItRuthie
Jump, DarlingJeanne
2021Trigger PointIrene Cole
Home Sweet Home AloneGrandma (uncredited)
2022Hotel for the HolidaysFlorence
2023My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3Mrs. White

Television

YearTitleRoleclass=unsortableNotes
1970That's Show Biz
data-sort-value="Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour, The" The Hart and Lorne Terrific HourVarious
Party GameCharades Player
1971Famous Jury Trials
1974DeedeeTV movie
Back to Beulah
1974–1975Funny Farm
1975–1976Summer of '75Host
1975PerformanceSadieEpisode: "Lulu Street"
1976HardyEpisode: "The Last of the Four Letter Words"
AdaLeslie
Stay Tuned
1976-1984 SCTVVariousRecurring role
1977data-sort-value="World of Darkness, The" The World of DarknessHelenTV movie
For the RecordEpisode: "Ada"
1978High HopesLouise BatesTV movie
1978–1980King of KensingtonGwen Twining23 episodes
1980BizarreMain role
1981For the RecordEpisode: "Snowbird"
1981–1982data-sort-value="Littlest Hobo, The" The Littlest HoboFelicity PatelliEpisodes: "Hidden Room", "Rex Badger P.I."
Hangin' InAudrey / Mrs. Costello Episodes: "I'm Not a Marriage Counselor", "Plasma Suite" & "Christmas Wrapping"
1984When We First MetTV movie
1985Anne of Green GablesMrs. Hammond
data-sort-value="Ray Bradbury Theater, The" The Ray Bradbury TheaterMrs. BralingEpisode: "Marionettes, Inc."
1985–1988data-sort-value="Care Bears Family, The" The Care Bears FamilyBirthday Bear / Bedtime Bear (voice)57 episodes
1985–1987Night HeatVarious5 episodes
1986Seeing ThingsRitaEpisode: "The Walls Have Eyes"
1987Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant ShowThe Evil QueenEpisode: "Snow White Elephant"
data-sort-value="Kidnapping of Baby John Doe, The" The Kidnapping of Baby John DoeJoanTV movie
Today's SpecialFlora FrimbleEpisode: "Ice Cream"
Shades of Love: Indigo AutumnLouiseTV movie
Really Weird TalesMother SuperiorSegment: "I'll Die Loving"
Echoes in the DarknessBetty VannortTV movie
1988DiamondsEpisode: "Family Business"
Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant ShowGladys BertlingerEpisode: "Unicef"
RamonaMrs. WhaleyEpisode: "Squeakerfoot"
Episode: "Ramona the Patient"
Drop-Out MotherBlancheTV movie
Once Upon a GiantDiabolica the Bad Witch
God Bless the ChildMrs. Prentice
ALF TalesAdditional voicesT
1988–198913 episodes
1989Andrea Martin... Together AgainMarsha MartinTV movie
Starting from ScratchEpisode: "Robbie and Friends"
Small SacrificesEvelyn SlavenTV movie
1990Mom P.I.Episode: "Beneath the Pacific"
Back to the BeanstalkJack's MotherTV movie
JoniEpisode: "My Wife as a Dog"
War of the WorldsGraceEpisode: "Candle in the Night"
Wish You Were HereStellaEpisode: "Budapest"
data-sort-value="Ray Bradbury Theater, The" The Ray Bradbury TheaterElmira BrownEpisode: "Exorcism"
1990–1992Material WorldBernice25 episodes
1991–1992Maniac MansionAvi's mother /Kaite /Hildie MuckleEpisodes: "The Cliffhanger", "The New Look" & "Streetcar Named Idella"
1992Partners in LoveHeddy TaylorTV movie
1993Secret ServiceHillaryEpisode: "Something for Nothing/The Amateur"
Ghost MomPearlTV movie
Shining Time StationHelga Boonswaggle / JaneEpisodes: "Bad Luck Day At Shining Time Station" & "Schemer Presents: How To Apologize"
1994Against Their Will: Women in PrisonMargeTV movie
Street LegalDet. Jane StampEpisodes: "Last Rites: Part 1 & 2"
Tales from the Cryptkeeper(voice)Episode: "Transvylvania Express"
1994–1997data-sort-value="Busy World of Richard Scarry, The" The Busy World of Richard Scarry39 episodes
1995data-sort-value="Neverending Story, The" The Neverending StoryMrs. Rockchewer (voice)Episode: "The Meek and the Mighty"
Episode: "Missing Memories"
Harrison BergeronMs. NewboundTV movie
1995–1996Side EffectsHappy HartwellEpisodes: "Pillow Talk", "Sex, Death and Rock 'n' Roll"
1996GoosebumpsWoman in LineEpisodes: "A Night in Terror Tower: Parts 1 & 2"
Devil's FoodMargaretTV movie
Undue InfluenceMrs. Miller
Dangerous Offender: The Marlene Moore StoryMrs. Moore
data-sort-value="Holiday for Love, A" A Holiday for LoveMargie
1997RiverdaleGloria
1998Twitch CityNathan's MotherEpisode: "I Look Like Joyce DeWitt"
Once a ThiefMiss Finchley (voice)Episode: "The Director Files"
Bob and MargaretCookie Fish / Joyce (voice)Episode: "A Tale of Two Dentists"
1998–2000NoddyAunt Agatha Flugelschmidt66 Episodes
1999Deep in My HeartMrs. MarsdonTV movie
Mind PreyPolice Chief Roux
1999data-sort-value="Holiday Romance, A" A Holiday RomanceMargie
2000La Femme NikitaSelma HertzEpisode: "Catch a Falling Star"
LucyEpisode: "Dark of the Night"
Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic ScienceDeidre PorchevEpisode: "If the Shoe Fits"
For Better or For WorseMrs. Dingle (voice)5 episodes
2000-2001Twice in a LifetimeEmma Price/LuluEpisodes: "For Love and Money" & "Daddy's Girl"
2001Club LandNurse DorisTV movie
data-sort-value="Wandering Soul Murders, The" The Wandering Soul MurdersBeth Mirasty
What Makes a FamilyJudge Shales
Made in CanadaMiss BarnesEpisode: "Beaver Creek: Live"
LottieTV movie
Screech OwlsMrs. DunlapEpisode: "A Fine Balance"
Royal Canadian Air FarceVariousEpisode: "9.4"
data-sort-value="Endless Grind, The" The Endless GrindVariousTV series
Bob and MargaretCookie Fish / Joyce (voice)Episode: "A Very Fishy Christmas"
2002WidowsAudreyEpisode: "Hour One"
Just a Walk in the ParkTV movie
data-sort-value="Man Who Saved Christmas, The" The Man Who Saved ChristmasMrs. Gilbert
2002-2003Moville MysteriesGranny (voice)3 episodes
2003Monster by MistakeDolores (voice)Episode: "Warren's Nightmare"
In the FamilyAlice/Donna IngramTV movie
My Big Fat Greek LifeMrs. White
Wild CardJeannie4 episodes
Slings and ArrowsEpisode: "Playing the Swan"
2003–2006JoJo's CircusMrs. Kersplatski9 episodes
2003data-sort-value="Berenstain Bears, The" The Berenstain BearsGreat Aunt Bess (voice)Episode: "Family Get-Together"
2004Peep and the Big Wide WorldRabbit
data-sort-value="Shields Stories, The" The Shields StoriesEpisode: "The Harp"
Brave New GirlTV movie
JaniceEpisode: "The Kiss"
HustleMarge SchottTV movie
Suburban MadnessSheila
Mrs. CameronEpisode: "Back in Black"
2004–2005Train 48Bridget3 episodes
2005I Do, They Don'tThelmaTV movie
Riding the Bus with My SisterEstella
Wayside SchoolMiss Mush
Atomic BettyBetty's GrandmaEpisode: "Franken Brain"
Episode: "The NO-L9"
2005–2006This Is WonderlandRonnie Sacks23 episodes
2006Relative ChaosCarol GilbertTV movie
Candles on Bay StreetSarah
data-sort-value="Great Polar Bear Adventure, The" The Great Polar Bear AdventureHillary (voice)
Wedding WarsWanda Grandy
2006–2008Billable HoursMaxine Bingly20 episodes
2007WaysideMiss Mush(voice) recurring role
Ruby GloomMa (voice)Episode: "Skull in the Family"
Bunny Sprocket (voice)25 episodes
Twitches TooMrs. NorsengTV movie
Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody GhostMable Crabtree
2008Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid
Best EdOther voices26 episodes
Mrs. HammondTV movie
2008–2011Little Mosque on the PrairieMrs. WispinskiRecurring role
2009Northern LightsMayor HoppTV movie
Bob & DougGladys McKenzieEpisode: "No Country for Old People"
data-sort-value="Ron James Show, The" The Ron James ShowSteve's MotherEpisode: "1.4"
data-sort-value="National Tree, The" The National TreeLanaTV movie
data-sort-value="Christmas Hope, The" The Christmas HopeCharlotte
2010Ms. Elson
Living in Your CarLolaEpisodes: "1.8 & "1.13"
SkatoonyCharles' GrannyEpisodes: Skeleton Crew In Da House and Hooray for Bollywood
Queen Conformia
2010–2011Babar and the Adventures of BadouLady Rataxes (voice)15 episodes
2011–2013Scaredy SquirrelMomma (voice)Recurring role
2011Lost GirlVelmaEpisode: "BrotherFae of the Wolves"
Silent WitnessSara CroftTV movie
12 Dates of ChristmasMargine Frumkin
2012Bill & Son's TowingShort
KingMargie ReynoldsEpisode: "Jared and Stacy Cooper"
Episode: "Wendy Stetler"
2013–2015HavenGloria VerranoRecurring role
2014Christmas at Cartwright'sMrs. RositaniTV movie
2016 All YoursVivian
data-sort-value="Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again, The" The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp AgainThe Butler
2017 & 2024Murdoch MysteriesMary Baker Eddy / Abigail HalstonEpisodes: "The Accident" & "Mrs. Crabtree's Neighbourhood"
2017-2022Workin' MomsGoldie9 episodes
2018Additional Voices3 episodes
Star FallsGranny KingEpisode: "The Family Picnic"
2020Hey Lady!LadyWeb series
2021Overlord and the UnderwoodsNana Kirkland
2021-2024PAW PatrolHelga Humdinger (voice)6 episodes
2022Pink Is InMabel DungworthEpisode: "A Pink and Green Christmas"
2023Twas the Text Before ChristmasNana/MaybelGreat American Family

Notes and References

  1. News: Canadian actress at the crossroads. Kelly, Peggy. Cinema Canada. October 1983.
  2. News: ACTRA honours character actor Jayne Eastwood after five decades in show business. Ahearn, Victoria. Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. February 22, 2019. May 7, 2019.
  3. News: Don Shebib and Jayne Eastwood. CBC News. CBC. as guests on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  4. News: BWW Interviews: Women Fully Clothed's Jayne Eastwood. Cameron, Kelly. BroadwayWorld. June 8, 2011. May 7, 2019.
  5. http://www.northernstars.ca/eastwood_jayne/ Profile
  6. Web site: Jayne Eastwood to Receive Award of Excellence. May 7, 2019.
  7. News: How to Buy a Baby among winners at Canadian Screen Awards digital gala. The Hamilton Spectator. The Canadian Press. March 29, 2019. May 7, 2019.
  8. Victoria Ahearn, "Sarah Polley, Jayne Eastwood among winners on night 2 of Canadian Screen Awards". Kelowna Daily Courier, May 18, 2021.
  9. Connie Thiessen, "Canadian Screen Awards winners: TV Program & Performance". Broadcast Dialogue, May 29, 2024.