Judy Greer Bio: Age, Movies, TV Shows, Career & Latest Projects
Judy Greer is an American actress, director, author, and voice artist known for her remarkable versatility. She has built an impressive Hollywood career through comedy, drama, animation, and suspense.
Many viewers recognize her from popular movies like 13 Going on 30, The Wedding Planner, and Jurassic World. Additionally, she has earned recognition through television shows such as Arrested Development and Archer.
Greer often plays memorable supporting characters who bring humor, warmth, and personality to their stories. However, her talents extend far beyond playing the best friend or funny colleague.
Over the years, she has explored directing, writing, producing, and voice acting. Consequently, she has become one of Hollywood’s most dependable character actresses.
Her career continues to develop through new television appearances and film projects. In 2026, audiences can find her in several productions, including The Five Star Weekend and Chili Finger.
Judy Greer’s Age and Early Life
Judy Greer was born on July 20, 1975, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Her birth name is Judith Therese Evans.
She grew up in Michigan, where her parents encouraged her interests and education. Her mother, Mollie Ann Greer, worked as a hospital administrator. Meanwhile, her father, Richard Evans, worked as a mechanical engineer.
Greer developed an interest in performing arts during childhood. Before pursuing acting, she trained in classical Russian ballet for approximately ten years.
This experience helped her develop discipline, confidence, and an understanding of performance. Eventually, she discovered that acting offered another way to express her creativity.
Greer attended Winston Churchill High School in Livonia, Michigan. After completing school, she pursued professional acting training.
Judy Greer’s Education and Acting Training
Greer studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. The institution provided professional training that strengthened her understanding of theatre and performance.
She graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During college, she also worked several jobs to support herself.
Her early employment included telemarketing and working as an oyster shucker. These experiences gave her practical lessons about independence and determination.
However, acting remained her main ambition. She eventually secured her first significant screen opportunity shortly after graduating.
How Judy Greer Started Her Acting Career
Greer began her film career with a small role in Kissing a Fool (1998). The romantic comedy featured Jason Lee and David Schwimmer.
Although the role offered limited screen time, it introduced her to Hollywood. She subsequently appeared in the 1999 dark comedy Jawbreaker.
In Jawbreaker, she played Fern Mayo, an unpopular teenager who undergoes a dramatic transformation. The performance helped establish her as an actress with strong comedic instincts.
That same year, she appeared in Three Kings, directed by David O. Russell. The film featured George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube.
Greer continued accepting different roles as her career developed. Her early film appearances demonstrated her ability to work across comedy and drama.
Judy Greer’s Breakthrough Movies
Greer gained wider recognition through several successful Hollywood productions. Her performances often stood out, even when she played supporting characters.
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Greer played Penny Nicholson in The Wedding Planner. She starred alongside Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.
Penny works closely with Lopez’s character, Mary Fiore. Her humor and friendship make her an important part of the romantic comedy.
The movie introduced Greer to a much larger audience. It also helped establish her reputation as a talented supporting actress.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
One of Greer’s most recognizable performances came in 13 Going on 30. She played Lucy Wyman, Jenna Rink’s childhood friend.
Jennifer Garner portrayed Jenna, while Mark Ruffalo played Matt Flamhaff. Greer’s character added tension and humor to the story.
The film became a popular romantic comedy among audiences. Furthermore, her performance helped make Lucy one of the movie’s memorable characters.
The Village (2004)
Greer explored a different genre in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. She played a supporting role in the psychological thriller.
The film featured Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, Adrien Brody, and Sigourney Weaver. It allowed Greer to demonstrate her dramatic abilities.
27 Dresses (2008)
Greer appeared in the romantic comedy 27 Dresses. She played Casey, the supportive friend of Katherine Heigl’s character.
Her performance brought energy and humor to the story. The movie also strengthened her presence in popular romantic comedies.
The Descendants (2011)
Greer appeared in Alexander Payne’s acclaimed comedy-drama The Descendants. She played Julie Speer alongside George Clooney and Shailene Woodley.
The film explored family relationships, grief, and difficult personal decisions. It received critical recognition and earned several major award nominations.
Greer’s performance demonstrated her ability to handle emotionally complex material.
Judy Greer in Jurassic World and Marvel Movies
Greer expanded her popularity through major film franchises. In 2015, she appeared in Jurassic World as Karen Mitchell.
Karen is the mother of Zach and Gray Mitchell. Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt led the adventure film.
Greer returned as Karen in Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018). Her character added an emotional family perspective to the franchise.
She also joined Marvel’s Ant-Man in 2015. Greer played Maggie Lang, the former wife of Scott Lang.
Paul Rudd portrayed Scott, while Michael Douglas played Hank Pym. Greer reprised her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).
These franchise appearances introduced her to international audiences. They also demonstrated her ability to balance action, comedy, and family-centered storytelling.
Judy Greer’s Horror and Drama Roles
Although comedy helped establish her career, Greer has never limited herself to one genre. She has appeared in several horror and dramatic productions.
In 2013, she played Miss Desjardin in the remake of Carrie. The supernatural horror film starred Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore.
Greer later joined the Halloween franchise. She portrayed Karen Nelson, the daughter of Laurie Strode.
She appeared in Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021), and Halloween Ends (2022). Jamie Lee Curtis played Laurie throughout the trilogy.
Greer also appeared in The Descendants, Aporia, and Eric LaRue. These projects allowed her to explore characters with different emotional challenges.
Judy Greer’s Television Career
Greer has developed an equally successful television career. She regularly moves between comedy, drama, animation, and streaming productions.
Arrested Development
Greer became widely recognized for playing Kitty Sanchez in Arrested Development. Kitty works as an assistant to Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman.
Her character’s unusual behavior and memorable personality made her a fan favorite. Greer returned for later seasons of the acclaimed comedy.
Two and a Half Men
Greer appeared in Two and a Half Men in multiple roles. Her most recognizable character was Bridget Schmidt, Walden Schmidt’s former wife.
She also portrayed Myra and Danny in earlier appearances. These different characters highlighted her versatility as a television performer.
Archer
Greer voiced Cheryl Tunt in the animated comedy Archer. Cheryl works for the intelligence agency at the center of the series.
Her character became one of the show’s most recognizable personalities. Greer also voiced other characters within the animated series.
Her voice performance demonstrated her ability to create distinctive personalities without appearing onscreen.
Married
Greer starred opposite Nat Faxon in the comedy series Married. She played Lina Bowman, a woman navigating marriage and family life.
The show explored relationship challenges through humor and everyday situations. It gave Greer an opportunity to lead a television production.
The Thing About Pam
Greer appeared in the crime drama The Thing About Pam (2022). She portrayed Leah Askey, a prosecutor involved in a complicated criminal case.
The series starred Renée Zellweger as Pam Hupp. Greer’s performance showed another side of her dramatic acting abilities.
The Last Thing He Told Me
Greer also joined the Apple TV+ drama The Last Thing He Told Me. She appears alongside Jennifer Garner in the mystery series.
The show follows a woman investigating her husband’s disappearance. Its suspenseful storyline gives Greer another opportunity to explore dramatic television.
Judy Greer’s Latest Projects in 2025 and 2026
Greer remains active in film and television. Her recent projects demonstrate her continued interest in different genres.
In 2025, she appeared in The Long Walk, playing Mrs. Garraty. The dystopian thriller adapted Stephen King’s novel.
She also appeared in Dead of Winter, a thriller featuring Emma Thompson. Additionally, she joined the television series Stick, starring Owen Wilson.
In 2026, Greer continued expanding her television and film credits. Her projects include The Five Star Weekend and Chili Finger.
She also appears in Mabel, another production listed among her recent credits. These projects reflect her continued presence across entertainment platforms.
Furthermore, reports in September 2026 announced her casting in Netflix’s adaptation of Better Than the Movies. The film adapts Lynn Painter’s popular young adult novel.
Greer joined a cast that includes Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono. The project adds another romantic comedy to her extensive filmography.
Her latest work confirms that she remains a sought-after performer. She continues balancing established franchises with new creative opportunities.
Judy Greer as a Director
Greer has also explored filmmaking behind the camera. In 2018, she made her feature directorial debut with A Happening of Monumental Proportions.
The comedy features an ensemble cast that includes Allison Janney, Jennifer Garner, Common, and Katie Holmes. The story follows several characters during an unusual school day.
The film premiered at the Bentonville Film Festival in 2017. It received the Audience Spotlight award at the festival.
Directing allowed Greer to explore storytelling from another perspective. It also demonstrated her interest in expanding beyond acting.
Judy Greer’s Book and Writing Career
Greer became an author in 2014. She released her memoir, I Don’t Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star.
The book explores her experiences working in Hollywood. It also discusses the challenges and funny moments that accompany a long acting career.
Greer shares personal reflections about auditions, fame, friendships, and professional relationships. Her writing offers readers a different perspective on the entertainment industry.
The memoir also highlights an important part of her identity. She understands the value of supporting roles and the performers who bring them to life.
Judy Greer’s Husband and Family
Judy Greer married producer Dean E. Johnsen on December 17, 2011. Their marriage remains part of her personal life.
Johnsen works in television production. However, the couple generally maintains a private approach to their relationship.
Greer has not shared extensive details about her family life. Public biographies also identify a stepchild in her family.
She tends to keep her personal relationships away from unnecessary public attention. Instead, she focuses much of her public presence on professional projects and charitable activities.
Judy Greer’s Philanthropy and Other Interests
Greer supports charitable causes alongside her entertainment career. She serves on the board of Project Chimps, an organization dedicated to chimpanzee welfare.
She also works as a Global Ambassador for International Medical Corps. Through this role, she has supported humanitarian efforts in different parts of the world.
Her work reflects an interest in animal welfare and humanitarian assistance. These activities add another dimension to her professional life.
Greer has also become a founding partner of Wile. The brand focuses on products and awareness related to perimenopause.
Her involvement demonstrates an interest in conversations surrounding women’s health and changing life stages.
Judy Greer’s Net Worth
Judy Greer’s exact net worth remains unconfirmed through reliable public financial disclosures. Therefore, online estimates should not receive automatic acceptance.
However, her long career suggests several potential income sources. These include acting salaries, voice performances, directing, writing, and producing.
Her work in major franchises has also expanded her professional opportunities. Additionally, television roles and streaming productions contribute to her career earnings.
Greer has maintained a steady presence in Hollywood for decades. Nevertheless, she has not publicly confirmed a specific personal fortune.
Judy Greer’s Acting Style and Legacy
Greer’s greatest strength lies in her versatility. She can deliver sharp comedy while also handling emotional and dramatic scenes.
Audiences often remember her supporting characters because she gives them distinctive personalities. She brings authenticity to friendships, family relationships, workplace conflicts, and complicated characters.
Her performances in 13 Going on 30, Arrested Development, and Archer demonstrate this ability. Meanwhile, The Descendants and Halloween highlight her dramatic range.
She has also expanded her influence through directing and writing. Consequently, her career represents more than a collection of supporting performances.
Greer continues to earn opportunities across film, television, and animation. Her ability to adapt makes her an enduring presence in Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judy Greer
1. How old is Judy Greer?
Judy Greer was born on July 20, 1975. She is 51 years old in 2026.
2. Where was Judy Greer born?
She was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States. She also grew up in the Detroit area.
3. What is Judy Greer’s real name?
Her birth name is Judith Therese Evans. She uses Judy Greer professionally.
4. Who is Judy Greer’s husband?
Judy Greer married television producer Dean E. Johnsen in December 2011.
5. Does Judy Greer have children?
Public biographies identify a stepchild in her family. Greer generally keeps her family life private.
6. What movies made Judy Greer famous?
Her best-known movies include 13 Going on 30, The Wedding Planner, Jawbreaker, The Descendants, and Jurassic World.
7. What character does Judy Greer play in Ant-Man?
She plays Maggie Lang, Scott Lang’s former wife. She appears in Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp.
8. Is Judy Greer in Archer?
Yes. Greer voices Cheryl Tunt and other characters in the animated comedy Archer.
9. Has Judy Greer directed a movie?
Yes. She made her feature directorial debut with A Happening of Monumental Proportions in 2018.
10. What are Judy Greer’s latest projects?
Her recent credits include The Five Star Weekend, Chili Finger, and Mabel. She also joined Netflix’s Better Than the Movies adaptation.
Conclusion
Judy Greer has built a lasting Hollywood career through talent, consistency, and versatility. She has entertained audiences through romantic comedies, horror films, television dramas, and animated productions.
Her performances in 13 Going on 30, Jurassic World, Ant-Man, and Arrested Development remain especially recognizable. Furthermore, her work as a director and author demonstrates her creative ambitions.
As she continues exploring new projects in 2026, Greer remains an important figure in American entertainment. Her career proves that memorable performances can make a lasting impression, regardless of screen time.
