Jayne Eastwood (born December 17, 1946), also credited as Jane Easton or Jane Eastwood, is a Canadian actress and comedian. She is best known for her film roles as Anna-Marie Biddlecoff in Finders Keepers (1984), Judy the Waitress in The Santa Clause (1994), Mrs. White in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002–2023), Mrs. Borusewicz in Chicago (2002), Lucy Decker in Welcome to Mooseport (2004) and Miss Wimsey in Hairspray (2007).
Eastwood's career was initially a painter. She ventured into acting when a commercial artist and friend of hers had invited her to play a role in a local play, Suddenly, Last Summer. A teacher, who was in the audience and revealed to be an acting agent, realized her potential.[2]
A veteran character actor who has appeared in films since 1970, Eastwood made an indelible mark on Canadian cinema early as the pregnant Betty in Don Shebib's classic Goin’ Down the Road. She was one of the original cast members of the Toronto branch of The Second City comedy troupe and was a semiregular on SCTV. She was in the original Toronto production of Godspell.[2]
In 2005, she joined the cast of This Is Wonderland, a courtroom comedy drama. In 2007, she played Miss Wimsey in Hairspray.[3] She is currently working in the Toronto theatrical production, Women Fully Clothed.[4]
In 2013, she received the National Award of Excellence from ACTRA.[6]
In 2019, she received the Award of Excellence at the Toronto ACTRA Awards.
At the 7th Canadian Screen Awards in 2019, Eastwood won the award for Best Supporting Performance in a Digital Program or Series for her appearance in the web series The Writers' Block.[7] At the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, she won the award for Best Lead Performance in a Digital Program or Series for Hey Lady!.[8] At the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024, Eastwood won the award for Best Performance in an Animated Program or Series for her voice role in PAW Patrol.[9] In 2024, was also a Canadian Screen Award nominee for her role in the Christmas episode of Pink Is In.
Personal life
Eastwood is the widow of David Flaherty, who was a film and television writer, and brother of SCTV alumnus Joe Flaherty.[2]
