Film industry closet cases who think that being an out actor will harm their career should simply take a peek at Jane Lynch’s extraordinary resume. From her first major role in Christopher Guest’s cult hit Best in Show to her scene-stealing turn as a horny, totally hetero store manager in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Ms. Lynch has always stood tall and proud as a lesbian. In 2008, Ms. Lynch is set to appear in eight feature films and in recurring roles on two TV series: “The L Word” and “Two and a Half Men.” Her work is prolific by any standard, but for an out actress working in the mainstream film and television industry, she’s astonishing. She told the Advocate in 2006, “I’m way, way, way out.” We couldn’t agree more, and we’re very proud to give Jane Lynch our Artistic Achievement Award for 2008.

Jane Lynch was born on July 14, 1960 (happy birthday Jane) and raised in Dolton, Illinois, a working-class suburb just south of Chicago. She received her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and her master’s from Cornell University, both in theater. After grad school, Jane moved back home to Chicago where she appeared in many local theatrical productions. Ms. Lynch has an extensive theater background, most notably with the Second City comedy troupe, having played Carol Brady in “The Real Live Brady Bunch.”

Her big screen break came with her role as Christy Cummings, personal dog handler to Sheri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) in Christopher Guest’s Best in Show. Ms. Lynch’s intense kiss with Jennifer Coolidge is one of the many queerly delicious moments in the film, which is one of our favorites. With her amazing timing, Ms. Lynch has joined the unofficial Christopher Guest ensemble, appearing in his last three films. Ms. Lynch played a porn star turned folk singer/witch in A Mighty Wind, and also played her own guitar and sang. In the latest Guest film, For Your Consideration, Ms. Lynch starred as Cindy. In The 40-Year-Old Virgin, she sealed her stardom with Cineplex audiences when she uttered these words to Steve Carell, “Ever heard of the term…‘fuck buddy’?” In every scene that Jane Lynch appears in she’s the scene-stealing actress you remember. She’s a comic actress with punch and a legendary amount of energy. Ms. Lynch has since appeared in the massive blockbuster hit Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and in so many other films that we can’t even count them! Jane Lynch has become Hollywood’s go-to woman when they need a fierce comic actress.

Fans of “The L Word” know Jane’s portrayal of attorney Joyce Wischnia, who falls head over heels in love with Cybill Shepherd’s character Phyllis Kroll. Ms. Lynch brings her goofy humor to the wonderfully addictive, soapy Showtime drama about a group of high-powered L.A. lesbians. A little more surprising is the other recurring role Ms. Lynch has as Dr. Linda Freeman on Charlie Sheen’s situation comedy “Two and a Half Men.” Running for one season on Lifetime TV was the wacky improvised show “Lovespring International,” where Jane starred as the owner of a dating agency in Tarzana, CA.

On the horizon, Ms. Lynch is set to co-star in gay director Ryan Shiraki’s (Poster Boy) new film, Spring Breakdown, along with Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Parker Posey. In 2009, Ms. Lynch is set to star along with Carol Burnett and Michael Keaton in The Post Grad Survival Guide. Expect Jane Lynch to also move her career towards directing as she has several projects in the works.

Even with all this work in mainstream films, Ms. Lynch finds the time and energy to appear in the LGBT community-minded, low-budget indie Tru Loved, which we’re screening with Ms. Lynch’s award. Ms. Lynch has donated her time to many LGBT causes, appearing on the masthead of many a fundraising letter. She is more than willing to use her fame to advance LGBT civil rights. With a soul as astonishing as her sense of timing and talent, we’re honored to give the 2008 Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Artistic Achievement Award to Jane Lynch.