12 of the Best Jennifer Coolidge Movies and TV Shows, Ranked

• Additional Cast Members: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Tom Bower, Alvin 'Xzibit' Joiner, Val Kilmer
• Rating: R

Coolidge may be known for her comedic chops, but her performance in this crime thriller proves that she can take on darker roles. In the film, she plays the estranged stepmom of Terrence, a troubled detective investigating a series of murders in New Orleans. And while she doesn't have much screen time, Coolidge makes the most of her role, delivering a strong performance by balancing drama with just the right amount of humor.

• Additional Cast Members: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Harry Shearer, Jane Lynch
• Rating: PG-13

The star-studded comedy follows a trio of actors who learn that their upcoming film is generating plenty of awards-season buzz. The only problem? Their new movie isn't any good. Coolidge plays Whitney Taylor Brown, an heiress-turned-producer who also happens to be involved with the film. Not surprisingly, she delivers some of the biggest laughs.

• Additional Cast Members: Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Isabel Gravitt, Luke David Blumm
• Rating: TV-MA

This terrifying mystery thriller follows a married couple who discover that they're being stalked after moving into their dream home. Coolidge plays Karen Calhoun, the real estate agent who sells the couple their home, and as expected, she delivers a scene-stealing performance. In his review, Joel Calfee, PureWow's Assistant Editor of Entertainment and News, wrote, "Coolidge provides her classic brand of zany comedy in the role and acts as the comic relief in this otherwise stress-inducing watch."

• Additional Cast Members: Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara
• Rating: PG-13

Christopher Guest's mockumentary comedy centers on three folk bands who reunite for a special reunion concert, and Coolidge shines as P.R. Executive Amber Cole, who's tasked with promoting the reunion, even though she's clearly not a fan. Coolidge's role is relatively minor, but she still stands out in all of her scenes, thanks to her unique accent and comedic perma-smile.

• Additional Cast Members: Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, Regina King, Dan Byrd, Julie Gonzalo, Lin Shaye
• Rating: PG

Coolidge is phenomenal as Fiona, the evil stepmother in this modernized remake of Cinderella. Throughout the film, she makes Samantha's life a living nightmare, but her fashion looks are on point and her one-liners are laugh-out-loud funny ("It costs a fortune to fly that stuff in from Norwegia..."). Also, we can't forget about the iconic botox scene, where she voices her disappointment to the girls with a wide, plastic smile.

• Additional Cast Members: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Natasha Lyonne, Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas
• Rating: R

This list wouldn't be complete without the '90s film that made Coolidge the most iconic “MILF” of all time. The sex comedy revolves around four teenagers who aim to lose their virginity before the end of high school. And one of them decides to seduce Coolidge's character, Stifler's hot young mom. (Fun fact: The star has since admitted that the role spiced up her love life and got her plenty of suitors when the cameras stopped rolling.)

• Who Else Is In It: Udo Kier, Ira Hawkins, Linda Evans, Michael Urie
• Rating: R

When Pat, a retired hairdresser, leaves his nursing home, he travels across town to style a deceased client's hair, at her request. But along the way, he runs into his old protégé-turned-rival, Dee Dee Dale, who ditched him years ago to launch her own salon. Per usual, Coolidge delivers an unforgettable performance as Pat's arch-nemesis—and her clap backs are sharper than ever. For instance, when Pat suggests that his late client had taste even in death, Dee Dee says, "Taste or dementia? You decide."

• Who Else Is In It: Jemaine Clement, Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell, Mike White, Hector Jimenez
• Rating: PG-13

This underrated gem has a silly and quirky tone, but Coolidge is easily the film's biggest highlight. Gentlemen Broncos follows a teenager named Benjamin Purvis, who goes to a fantasy writers' convention to meet his idol. Meanwhile, Coolidge plays his eccentric single mom, who designs several odd outfits and makes giant popcorn balls for fun.

• Who Else Is In It: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis
• Rating: PG-13

The classic rom-com follows Elle Woods, a sorority girl who tries to win back her ex-boyfriend by following him to Harvard Law School. But as much as we love Elle, we'll admit that Legally Blonde wouldn't be the same without her partner in crime, Paulette. She is the one to comfort Elle as she deals with her breakup and, more importantly, she is one of the first to test out the legendary bend and snap. Anyone who has seen the film will agree that she's (arguably) the most charming and entertaining character.

• Who Else Is In It: Carey Mulligan, Connie Britton, Laverne Cox, Molly Shannon, Max Greenfield
• Rating: R

Mulligan shines as Cassie, a former med student who seeks vengeance after her best friend is raped by her classmates. But despite the film's dark themes, Coolidge adds some needed comic relief as Cassie's concerned mom. Although it's not her funniest role, it successfully showcases her incredible range.

• Who Else Is In It: Michael Hitchcock, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch
• Rating: PG-13

The comedy follows five dog owners as they prepare for the highly anticipated Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Coolidge nails her role as Sherri Ann, a former winner of the show and trophy wife of her much older sugar daddy, Leslie Ward Cabot. Her shared scenes with Lynch, who plays her competitive dog trainer, Christy, are comedy gold.

• Who Else Is In It: Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, Jon Gries, F. Murray Abraham
• Rating: TV-MA

Major kudos to Mike White for creating the incomparable Tanya McQuoid—a role that was written specifically for Coolidge. And boy, does she deliver. In the series, Tanya is a lonely, fragile woman who's too rich for her own good. Although she's grieving her late mother, she's also quite self-absorbed. But Coolidge successfully blends her campy humor with the show's deeper themes without sacrificing the real struggles of her character, which makes her all the more compelling.