Culture Street

Judy Greer first learnt that she loved performing when she spent ten years training in classical Russian ballet. Greer shifted her focus to acting and studied at Chicago’s prestigious Theater School at DePaul University, and graduated in 1997.

Just three days after graduating, Greer landed her debut feature film role, a small part in the Jason Lee/David Schwimmer comedy Kissing a Fool. She flew to L.A. to work on the film and never looked back.

The following year, she starred in the dark comedy Jawbreaker, as a wallflower-turned-popular girl. She then continued to land an array of supporting roles in well-known films alongside big names in the industry. Greer also built up her television credits, first starring in Arrested Development as Jason Bateman’s assistant.

Greer published a book in 2014 titled, “I Don’t Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star.”

Greer has carved a successful and noteworthy career working in a variety of supporting roles. She has starred in 95 titles from 1997 to the present. Below are ten of her most memorable works:

The Wedding Planner (2001)

Greer stars opposite Jennifer Lopez as her colleague and friend in this romantic comedy favourite from the early 2000’s. She plays Penny, a ditzy assistant to Lopez’s wedding planner.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

Starring opposite Jennifer Garner, Greer plays Garner’s teenage rival, who becomes her competitive best friend in adulthood. The film debuted at number 2 at the box office and earned $22 million on its opening weekend.

The Village (2004)

From notorious horror director M. Night Shyamalan in 2004 came this now-cult hit about a village whose inhabitants live in fear of the creatures living beyond it. Greer plays Kitty Walker, one of the villagers who are afraid of “Those We Don’t Speak Of.” The Village was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

Elizabethtown (2005)

Directed by Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire), Elizabethtown opened in 2005 to mixed reviews from critics. Greer plays the sister to Orlando Bloom’s character in this film about finding unexpected love.

27 Dresses (2008)

Greer is *SPOILER ALERT* the bridesmaid best friend to Katherine Heigl, in this fun, romantic flick about always being the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Love & Other Drugs (2010)

A pharmaceutical company trainee instructor named Cindy is Greer’s role in this dramedy that scored two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Best Actress (Anne Hathaway).

Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011)

In one of her bigger roles, Greer assumes the role of wife to Ed Helms’s character. Jeff, Who Lives at Home premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and received praise from critics for its touching qualities.

Carrie (2013)

In this remake of Stephen King’s horror classic, Greer is the comforting gym teacher to telekinetic, misunderstood Carrie. The film also stars Ansel Elgort, who works alongside Greer in 2014’s critically-acclaimed film Men, Women & Children.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Probably one of Greer’s more intriguing roles, she plays none other than an ape in 2014’s blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The ape in question is Cornelia, the wife to Caesar – the lead ape in this rebooted franchise. Greer donned a motion-capture suit in order to play the female chimp.

Men, Women & Children (2014)

Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman enlisted Greer to play Joan Clint, a mother who takes model photos of her daughter, in this London Film Festival favourite. Greer works alongside a huge all-star cast in Men, Women & Children, including: Jennifer Garner, Adam Sandler, Ansel Elgort, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dean Norris, Emma Thompson and Kaitlyn Dever. See it in Australian cinemas on 27th November.