Who is Jane Krakowski? Meet the trained singer all set to host iconic musical game show ‘Name That Tune’

An actress and singer, Krakowski is best known for her starring role as Jenna Maroney in the NBC satirical comedy series ‘30 Rock’
UPDATED JAN 6, 2021
Jane Krakowski (Getty Images)
Jane Krakowski (Getty Images)

Jane Krakowski is all set to serve as host for the new version of the vintage musical game show 'Name That Tune' on Fox. It first premiered on NBC Radio in 1952. Originally created and produced by orchestra conductor Harry Salter and his wife Roberta Semple Salter, the series features contestants competing to correctly identify songs being played by an on-stage orchestra or band.

When the iconic music guessing game returns to TV, Randy Jackson will accompany the actress and is set to serve as the bandleader. As the iconic musical game show premieres on Fox, here's an introduction to the host.

Jane Krakowski (Getty Images)

Who is Jane Krakowski?

Born in New Jersey, Krakowski’s first major television role was as Theresa Rebecca "TR" Kendall in the NBC soap opera ‘Search for Tomorrow’ (1984) for which she was nominated with two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards. An actress and singer Krakowski is best known for her starring role as Jenna Maroney in the NBC satirical comedy series ‘30 Rock’ for which she received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Her other notable television roles include Elaine Vassal in the Fox legal comedy-drama series ‘Ally McBeal’ (1997–2002) and Jacqueline White in the Netflix comedy series ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ (2015–2020).

Jane Krakowski (Getty Images)

A look at her career and early life

Krakowski made her feature film debut as Cousin Vicki Johnson in the road comedy ‘National Lampoon's Vacation’ (1983), which was followed by roles in ‘The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas’ (2000), ‘Ice Age’ (2002), ‘Alfie’ (2004), ‘Open Season’ (2006), ‘Pixels’ (2015), and ‘The Willoughbys’ (2020). Krakowski appeared in ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Go, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant’ and ‘Dance with Me’.

A trained singer, Krakowski has made numerous appearances on stage. At age 18, she originated the role of Dinah the Dining Car in the 1987 Broadway production of ‘Starlight Express’. She appeared in the 1989 Broadway musical ‘Grand Hotel’ as the typist and would-be film star Flaemmchen, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Her solo number, ‘I Want to Go to Hollywood’, is included on the original cast recording. 

Designer Robert Godley and actress Jane Krakowski (Getty Images)

Who is she dating?

Krakowski (52) is half Polish although she can speak very little of the language. Krakowski was engaged to British Menswear designer Robert Godley in 2009 but they split in 2011. They have a son together named Bennett Robert Godley who is 9 years old.

Krakowski regularly performs on stage and she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her performance in the Broadway revival of ‘Nine’ (2003). She also received Tony Award nominations for ‘Grand Hotel’ (1989) and ‘She Loves Me’ (2016). She received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the ‘West End’ revival of ‘Guys and Dolls’ (2005).

Krakowski's new show premieres on Fox on Wednesday, January 6 at 9/8c. It'll air after 'The Masked Dancer' makes its debut in its regular time period (after a special premiere on Sunday, December 27 at 8/7c). 

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