Jane Krakowski's Real Name: Jane Krajkowski
Jane Krakowski → Jane Krajkowski
Quick answer: She is known as Jane Krakowski. The Internet Broadway Database lists "Jane Krajkowski" as her birth name and gives her birth as October 11, 1968, in Parsippany, New Jersey. A Library of Congress record says the same, and the Television Academy's biography also gives October 11 in Parsippany-Troy Hills. Her stage surname drops the "j" from her birth surname.
Real name and early life
The Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) lists her as born October 11, 1968, in Parsippany, New Jersey, and under "Also Known As" records "Jane Krajkowski [Birthname]." The Library of Congress authority file independently notes "b. Jane Krajkowski, Oct. 11, 1968, Parsippany, NJ," with Krajkowski as a cross-reference.
The Television Academy lists her birthday as October 11 and her birthplace as Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. It says she was raised in Parsippany by parents who were a theater director and a chemical engineer.
Career highlights
The Television Academy says she made her film debut as Cousin Vickie in National Lampoon's Vacation. IBDB records her Broadway debut as Dinah in the original production of Starlight Express, which opened in 1987, followed by Flaemmchen in Grand Hotel (1989–92). The Academy says Grand Hotel brought her first Tony nomination.
IBDB lists later Broadway roles in Company (1995), Tartuffe (1996), and Once Upon a Mattress (1996–97). The Television Academy says she won the 2003 Tony Award for playing Carla in the revival of Nine, opposite Antonio Banderas, plus the Drama Desk Award, and that she won an Olivier Award in London for Guys and Dolls with Ewan McGregor. IBDB lists Ilona Ritter in the 2016 revival of She Loves Me and a 2025–26 run as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!
On television, the Academy says her five-year role as Elaine Vassal on Ally McBeal brought a Golden Globe nomination. She then played Jenna Maroney on NBC's 30 Rock and Jacqueline Voorhees on Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, both created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. The Academy's nomination list shows four Emmy nominations for 30 Rock, from 2009 to 2013, and one for Kimmy Schmidt in 2015.
The Academy's film list includes Alfie, Pretty Persuasion, and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. It also notes that she starred in an Encores! revival of Damn Yankees opposite Sean Hayes and released a solo album, The Laziest Gal in Town, recorded at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Jane Krakowski or Jane Krajkowski are looking for the same actress. Jenna Maroney and Elaine Vassal are television characters, not her names.
FAQ
What is Jane Krakowski's real name?
IBDB and the Library of Congress both record her birth name as Jane Krajkowski.
When and where was she born?
Both give October 11, 1968, in Parsippany, New Jersey.
What Tony did she win?
The Television Academy says the 2003 Tony for playing Carla in Nine.
What TV shows is she known for?
Ally McBeal, 30 Rock, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.