Jennifer Coolidge’s Emmy-winning portrayal of Tanya on “The White Lotus” not only revived her acting career, but it improved her love life, as well.
The 63-year-old opened up in an interview with the Sunday Times about how her life has changed since landing a starring role on “The White Lotus.” While chatting with the British newspaper, Coolidge reflected on her breakout role in “American Pie” in 1999 and said now, fans recognize her for her character in the hit HBO series.
“Even though I play a complete weirdo in ‘White Lotus,’ cute guys come up to me. And this is far better than ‘American Pie’ because people were really sad about Tanya falling off a boat,” she said, referencing the death of her character in Season Two of the series.
“These men like you better because they feel that you went through something,” she said. “That show really upped my game!”
After playing Stifler’s Mom in “American Pie,” Coolidge said she received many “benefits” when the coming-of-age comedy became a success.
She later landed memorable roles in movies like “Legally Blonde,” “Zoolander” and “A Cinderella Story.” But eventually the interest waned, and the type of parts she was offered became limited.
She faults herself. The actor said she enjoyed her time in the spotlight, but then her focus shifted and she “dilly-dallied.” Coolidge advises actors trying to break into the industry to learn from her mistakes.
“I sabotaged myself, and I’d say this to any young person: when the wave comes, have the guts to stay on. I would beg people to, you know, blow off your wedding and take that job,” she told the Sunday Times. “I was a sure bet, I got so many good jobs in a row. I have huge regrets — I was deeply depressed for a very long time.”
She explained that at the time, she prioritized a guy in her life that she wanted to pursue.
“I wanted him to like me, so I went completely off-track. I wasted a lot of time — and that moment passes. And, God, if I could live my life over again, I wouldn’t have done what I did,” she said.
“It was guys and, well, everyone wants certain things in their life at a certain time. I was trying to have relationships with men who were unavailable, or there are guys out there who really hate women deep down and I certainly dated them,” she added.
Over the years, the extended lull in her career also continued to affect her dating pool. She recalled a man approaching her on the street in New Orleans and asking her out before she was cast on “The White Lotus.”
“It was a few years ago and he had a T-shirt on that his belly came out of, plus red cowboy boots. He was 4 feet, 11 inches, and he said, ‘Would you like to go out?’” Coolidge said. “And, well, there was nothing wrong with him, but you have this idea that Brad Pitt or whoever will sweep you off your feet, and then it was that little …”
She added, “And ‘White Lotus’ changed that for me. It’s not just that little guy any more.”
Currently, she is still searching for her perfect match, she said.
Speaking of the HBO series, it returned last month for its third season, the first without Coolidge. So, how does she feel about Season Three so far?
“It’s eerie, creepy, I’m worried for everybody,” she said, having only seen two episodes of Season Three at the time. “Greg (Jon Gries) is in the first episode! I hope something bad happens to him.”
As for her reaction when she found out last year that Tanya — the fan-favorite character who helped her earn two Emmys, a Golden Globe and more — wouldn’t return for the next season?
“You have to be a good sport about it, but I went, ‘Oh, really? Really?’ I whined and then just let it go,” she recalled.
Next up for Coolidge: She will star in “A Minecraft Movie” with Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Kate McKinnon and Danielle Brooks. The film arrives in theaters April 4.
