Bio
Jaime Pressly is an American actress best known for her starring role as Joy Turner on the television comedy series My Name is Earl, from 2005-2009.
Pressly appears in the 2006 independent feature film DOA, in which she co-stars with Devon Aoki and Steve Howey, as well as in the independent film Venus & Vegas with Eddie Rose Thomas, Donald Faison and, Eddie Guerra.
She starred in the cable movie, Evel Knievel appearing as Evel’s (George Eads) wife. The film tells the real life story of the legendary daredevil and the pain and suffering endured by his wife.
Pressly also displayed her athleticism and grace as a strong willed biker girl in Neil Moritz’s 2004 action-thriller film Torque (also starring her fellow Earl star Eddie Steeples). Pressly also made an appearance as a guest star on the comedy Happy Family.
Pressly’s extensive dance background and her acting ability were showcased in her most memorable television role as Audrey Griffin, an aspiring Broadway dancer, on the series Jack & Jill.
She was last seen on the big screen portraying a "bitchy" head cheerleader, and the most popular girl in school, in the satirical comedy film Not Another Teen Movie.
She has enjoyed box-office success in many films, including a starring role as Claire Manning, the female lead in Ticker (opposite Dennis Hopper, Steven Segal, Tom Sizemore and Kevin Gage). She has appeared in The Adventures of Joe Dirt, with David Spade, and alongside Jerry O’Connell, Shannon Elizabeth and Jake Busey in Tomcats.
Born in Kinston, North Carolina, Pressly grew up as a tomboy who loved to water-ski and fish. Her mom, a highly accomplished classical dance instructor who trains current and future Joffrey Ballet students, put an early claim on her daughter’s innate athleticism by teaching her ballet, tap, and jazz, and pointed her towards gymnastics.
At age 13, Pressly registered with a local modeling agency and began working consistently. She submitted a photo to an international teen-modeling agency and by the age of 14 her face began to appear on the covers of several prestigious teen magazines. Pressly quickly became the spokesperson for her agency, International Cover Model Search, which took her to Tokyo and Milan.
Audiences might also recognize Pressly from her film roles in Jerry Springer’s mock-documentary, Ringmaster, the hit teen comedy Can’t Hardly Wait, Poor White Trash and 100 Girls.
On the small screen, Pressly was seen in the comedic film Best Actress (E! Entertainment Televison’s first original movie for television). She also starred as a former gymnast on the series Push.
She also had a starring role as single mom Annie Watson, best friend and neighbour to Nikki Miller, in the short-lived television sitcom I Hate My Teenage Daughter, from 2011-2013.