Jessica Lundy


Jessica R. Lundy is an American actress. She began her career appearing in films Bright Lights, Big City, Caddyshack II and Madhouse, before regular roles in the short-lived police drama Over My Dead Body and six-episode revival of The Carol Burnett Show. She starred as Gloria Utz in the NBC sitcom Hope & Gloria from 1995 to 1996, and the comedy films The Stupids and RocketMan. From 2015 to 2019, Lundy starred as Amanda Wainwright in the CBS crime drama series, The Inspectors.

Early life and education

Lundy was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of Jean and Joel Lundy, a surgical oncologist. She grew up in Avon, Connecticut. Lundy has a younger sister, Judy.
Lundy attended the Circle in the Square Theatre School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1987 at the Tisch School of the Arts of New York University, where she majored in drama and performing arts. Lundy moved to Los Angeles in 1990.

Career

Lundy made her film debut with Bright Lights, Big City. That same year, she appeared in Caddyshack II. Lundy also appeared opposite John Larroquette in the 1990 film Madhouse. Lundy auditioned for the role of Elaine Benes on Seinfeld. From 1990 to 1991, Lundy appeared opposite Edward Woodward in the short-lived CBS police drama series Over My Dead Body. In 1991, she was regular cast member in the six-episode revival of The Carol Burnett Show. She appeared as Joel Fleishman's fiancée/ex-fiancée Elaine Shulman on the drama series Northern Exposure in 1990 and 1992. She also appeared in The Golden Girls and Seinfeld and had a recurring role on Baby Talk.
Lundy has also performed in theater. In 1994, Lundy portrayed Rita Altabel in an Off-Broadway production of Uncommon Women and Others. From 1993 to 1994 she starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom The Second Half. From 1995 to 1996, Lundy played the title role of Gloria in the NBC sitcom Hope and Gloria. The show was canceled after two seasons and 35 episodes.
In 1996, Lundy starred opposite Tom Arnold in the comedy film The Stupids based on The Stupids, characters from a series of books written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall. It received negative reviews and was box-office bomb, though the film's director, John Landis, considers this one of his favorites. The following year she had two female lead roles: in the Italian comedy film The Good Bad Guy and science fiction comedy RocketMan produced by Walt Disney Pictures. In 1998, she had supporting role in the drama film, Denial. The following years, Lundy played supporting roles on both film and television, notable guest-starring on Dharma & Greg, Monk, The Game, Criminal Minds, Two and a Half Men and Major Crimes.
From 2015 to 2019, Lundy portrayed Inspector Amanda Wainwright in the CBS educational series, The Inspectors. In 2016, she won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming for her performance on The Inspectors.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1988Bright Lights, Big CityTheresa
1988Vampire's KissSharon
1988Caddyshack IIKate Hartounian
1989B.L. StrykerMichelleEpisode: "Blind Chess"
1990MadhouseBernice
1990–1991Over My Dead BodyNikki Page11 episodes
1990Northern ExposureElaine ShulmanEpisode: "Russian Flu"
1991Northern ExposureElaine ShulmanEpisode: "Roots"
1991'Lauren ShawEpisode: "The Wedding: Part 1"
Episode: "The Wedding: Part 2"
1991–1992Baby TalkSusan Davis7 episodes
1992Doogie Howser, M.D.Sheila DavidsonEpisode: "What You See Ain't Necessarily What You Get"
1992'Janet DevereauxEpisode: "Home Again, Rose: Part 1"
Episode: "Home Again, Rose: Part 2"
1992Single White FemaleTalkative Applicant
1992Dream OnStephanieEpisode: "What Women Want"
1992SeinfeldNaomiEpisode: "The Watch"
Episode: "The Bubble Boy"
1992–1994DinosaursVarious 8 episodes
1993'Rachel TullisTV short
1993TriBeCaNinaEpisode: "The Hopeless Romantic"
1993–1994The Second HalfDenise Palmaro15 episodes
1994I Love TroubleFlight Attendant #1
1995–1996Hope and GloriaGloria Utz35 episodes
1996'Theresa McPheeEpisode: "Vanishing Act"
1996'Joan Stupid
1997The Good Bad GuyCarol Graham
1997RocketManJulie Ford
1997Party of FiveNina Rondstadt5 episodes
1998DenialBonnie
1998CupidKateEpisode: "The Linguist"
1998Just a Little Harmless SexTerrianne
1998October 22Liz
1998Dharma & GregPattyEpisode: "The House That Dharma Built"
1999It's Like, You Know...DawnEpisode: "Arthur 2: On the Rocks"
1999WastelandFeliciaEpisode: "Double Date"
2000SnoopsAbbyEpisode: "Swan Chant"
2001Some of My Best FriendsMeryl Doogan8 episodes
2002What I Like About YouMarcyEpisode: "The Teddy Bear"
2002BoomtownVivian ColsonEpisode: "The Squeeze"
2003TitletownTV movie
2003Without a TraceDr. CovingtonEpisode: "Clare de Lune"
2003Lost at HomeJulie BartonEpisode: "Best Friends"
2004MonkRachel SweeneyEpisode: "Mr. Monk Gets Married"
2004Sweden, OhioActorTV movie
2004Century CityBertha WoodEpisode: "To Know Her"
2004MissingSusan Bordner La BelleEpisode: "Resurrection"
2006A Merry Little ChristmasNoelle
2007Til DeathBarbaraEpisode: "The Hockey Lie"
2007MediumLisa Wolfe / Sandra O'BannonEpisode: "The One Behind the Wheel"
2007''PennyEpisode: "The Big Chill"
2007Saving GraceBelle GradyEpisode: "Bring It On, Earl"
2007Pushing DaisiesHillary HundinEpisode: "Bitches"
20083 Days GoneDet. KelseyVideo
2009Fudgy Wudgy Fudge FaceSour Lemon Drop
2009Numb3rsCarolyn WhiteEpisode: "Where Credit's Due"
2009Men of a Certain AgeBrenda BlyeEpisode: "The New Guy"
201090210Sandra MathisonEpisode: "How Much Is That Liam in the Window"
2011Criminal MindsAlison SparksEpisode: "Coda"
2011CastleMyrna RamseyEpisode: "Eye Of The Beholder"
2012Of Two MindsMadeleineTV movie
2013Two and a Half MenAllieEpisode: "Another Night With Neil Diamond"
2015–2019The InspectorsAmanda WainwrightSeries lead
2021B PositiveCharleneEpisode: "Recessive Gina"