Jennifer Coolidge is having quite a year. After Ariana Grande revitalized her career by casting her in the music video for Thank U, Next, the 61-year-old actress went on to star in the HBO series White Lotus which earned her an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
It also made her an internet sensation, with fans demanding to see her in more shows or movies. So while waiting for the Top Gun-inspired Legally Blonde 3, Ryan Murphy has blessed fans with the Netflix miniseries, The Watcher where Coolidge plays a real estate Karen.
She actually got the role after renting her house to Murphy years ago. Here's what happened.
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Ryan Murphy Rented Jennifer Coolidge's House For 'American Horror Story'
In a recent interview with Sky News, Coolidge revealed that Murphy rented her house for American Horror Story years ago. "You know, I always wanted to do a creepy story with Ryan," said the American Pie star.
"He rented my house years ago for an episode of American Horror Story and I kept thinking he would see me in the yard raking leaves or something and go 'Hey Jennifer, I have a part for you in this!', you know?"
Unfortunately, that didn't happen. "But that never happened," Coolidge continued. "Then this weird thing happens...13 years later, here I am. So sometimes just because you missed the boat on one thing, sometimes it comes back around - and I was thrilled." In an interview with Collider, the actress said that if she'd turned the role down, she would have been a "true idiot."
"I was thrilled to get that call from Ryan Murphy too. And then, of course, I found out that Naomi Watts was in it, and that really helps you desire to have that job," she shared to the outlet. "[...] I haven't been asked to do one of these before, so I was just beyond thrilled when I found out that I got to be in this creepy story with all these cool people, like Mia Farrow and Margo Martindale and Bobby Cannavale. I would be an idiot, if I turned this down, a true idiot."
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What Jennifer Coolidge Feels About Her Role In 'The Watcher'
For Coolidge, playing realtor Karen Calhoun in The Watcher was a dream come true. "I like to be creeped out," she told Collider of her character. "I feel like somehow there are so many creepy stories out there that when I am creeped out, I realize there's such an expert thing going on."
She continued: "When you think of how many horror movies there are, when one gets under your skin, and you can't let it go and someone's telling a story, even if you already know the story, but you're seeing it and you're like, 'Oh, my God, this makes me so uncomfortable,' those are the stories I don't forget. Those are the movies I don't forget."
"It's a very, very fun role," she also told Sky News. "I don't think I've really been able to play someone like this before, and I'm thrilled that Ryan would have thought of me for this, because I can think of a lot of other actresses that your mind would go to for this part. I'm just glad that he, I don't know, I was the first one, I guess that answered the phone. So I got it."
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Jennifer Coolidge Wants To Star In 'American Horror Story'
When asked if she'd like to join AHS, Coolidge answered E! News with a resounding, "Yes, of course." Fans even have ideas already. "I've enjoyed her since American Pie as Stifler's mom. I'd like to see where Ryan Murphy's direction can bring out in her and show us her horror acting chops," wrote a Redditor.
They also think she'd be a good villain. "I would be curious to see her play a very serious role or someone evil," one commented. "Normally she does comedy. I'd love to see her give a completely different type of performance and wow the viewers."
Another fan even called Coolidge a "national treasure," saying: "YES!! this woman is a national treasure and would kill it on AHS. [Preferably] with Emma Roberts and Macaulay Culkin. chefs kiss."
