More than just a M.I.L.F.
Jennifer Coolidge (Stifler’s mom) brings her stand-up (and craziness) to Atlanta

by Glenn Lafollette

It’s not often that someone gets the opportunity to introduce an entire generation to the next great iconic piece of slang. But somehow, not lost between naked exchange students and teenage boys humping pastries, was American Pie’s Jennifer Coolidge. Yes, the M.I.L.F.

You’ll know her better as Stifler’s mom, but Coolidge’s career has spanned far more than a couple onscreen hookups with Finchy. You’ve seen her in any number of Christopher Guest films, appearances on shows like “Seinfield” and “Nip/Tuck” and even as recently as Danya Burakoff in the U.S. Census commercials. (Which for us, is the only humorous part of the campaign.)

Coolidge will appear at the Laughing Skull Lounge this month to perform stand-up. She took the time to speak with us at INsite about her show, life and a certain role that defined a career:

People know you as “Stifler’s mom,” but you really got your start as one of Jerry’s girlfriends on Seinfield. How did that show boost your career?

The timing was great. It was such a successful show in the early ‘90s. We were all trying to get a break, all of us. And it was amazing how that show helped me. Once I had “Seinfield” on my résumé, a lot of doors opened for me. It was just a huge break. I didn’t even play anyone glamorous, but just to have that on your résumé was huge.

Who were your influences as a young actress?

I was obsessed with Meryl Streep. I actually started out taking serious acting classes. She was just the bomb. When I started taking classes, she was just as good as it gets and still is. But as far as female comedians, people like Catherine O’Hara, I loved her work.

It seems your comedy start was in improv with the Groundlings Comedy Troupe in L.A. with people like Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan. How did working with those guys help?

Well, your taste rises. I can’t really explain it, but when you’re hanging out with people that are very talented you sort of absorb it. You have a much better gauge for what’s funny. And improv helps on just a million different levels. It helps auditioning. When you show up to an audition, so much of the time, they don’t know what they want. The improv stuff just made me incredibly confident. I think it made me start booking jobs I never would have gotten.

What can we expect from your stand-up act?

The show has changed since I first started. It was much more tame, but I guess I grew some balls. It’s more of a show you can’t see on television.

People probably come expecting you to be Stifler’s mom all the time. Does the association with that role ever become a problem?

No, not at all. You know I love being Stifler’s mom because it was such a big break, and it changed my career. And I’m single now, and it certainly keeps my dating life going. I’m incredibly greatly for that movie. It does make it possible to do other stuff, sometimes crazy and really weird.

Would that be your favorite role then?

I think so, yes. I’ve only had a few job where I thought I shouldn’t of done them, but I will always love the “American Pie” stuff. It’s been incredibly beneficial. Those movies were so successful. I can’t tell you how it improves my restaurant life or getting on flights. That movie has helped me get off stand-by.

What other roles stand out for you personally?

Two of my best experiences were “Best In Show,” it was just so much fun filming that movie, and the other was this TV job I had were I got to film this sort of fake video for “Nip Tuck.” I played this girl on YouTube who sort of wants to become a black rapper. I got to shoot my own video everything.

You’re from Boston, but where can people find you when you’re not on the road?

I live in L.A. and New Orleans now, and it’s much more my cup of tea. The weather is just so much better. I did a stand-up show in January, that first week in Boston, and I could barely handle it. I was like how do they do it here?

You’ve tasted several levels of success. Any advice for young actors working their way up?

It’s incredibly important to be in shows. I don’t think it matters what show. There’s always someone sitting in the audience you don’t expect to be sitting there. And that’s how I got just about everything, these tiny little shows that made me confident and someone sitting in the audience. That’s how all my breaks came. It was so weird that when I was waitressing, I thought I was going to be discovered that way. It’s really hard to be discovered if you’re not in a show. The shows always lead to other stuff.

Coolidge will appear at the Laughing Skull Lounge from March 18-21, located at 878 Peachtree Street. Call 877-523-3288 for more information. Tickets range from $25-$33. All shows are 18 and up.

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