Meet Jane Lynch’s ex-wife Lara Embry: Age, Movies, Children, Bio
Contents
Renowned American clinical psychologist Lara Embry, has garnered recognition not only for her significant contributions to her specialist field, but also for her high-profile marriage to actress Jane Lynch. In 2017, she co-produced and co-directed the acclaimed documentary film “Alabama Bound.” Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lara is widely acknowledged as a dedicated champion of the LGBTQ+ rights.
Early Life and Family
Born on 12 May 1969, in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, Lara Embry maintains a level of privacy when it comes to her family and formative years. What is known is that she came from a financially comfortable background, granting her the privilege to pursue an extensive education. In an interview, Lara briefly touched upon the loss of her sister, though she opted not to delve into specifics.
Education
Lara Embry is a distinguished alumna of Indian Springs School, a private institution located in Indian Springs Village, Alabama. She completed her undergraduate education at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1991. Subsequently, she pursued her Master of Arts in Philosophy, which she obtained in 1994 from Columbia University in the City of New York. In 2004, Lara achieved her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington.
Career
Clinical Psychologist
Since 2015, she’s operated a private clinical psychology practice. Additionally, she holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and serves as a lecturer at professional conferences and community events.
Her specialization lies in providing therapy to couples, adults, and adolescents navigating various challenges. In her approach to clients and their issues, she prioritizes personalized treatment plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Her clientele includes those grappling with issues such as grief, depression, gender identity, and life stressors.
Hollywood Director and Producer
Lara Embry made a bold foray into the realms of production and direction with the riveting documentary “Alabama Bound”, which offers an insightful exploration into the experiences of the LGBTQ community in Alabama over the past decade. The narrative zeroes in on the compelling stories of two lesbian families as they navigate the challenges and advocate for the well-being of their children. Furthermore, the documentary sheds light on the remarkable journey of the only openly gay state legislator in Alabama. Released in 2017, “Alabama Bound” earned acclaim, receiving the Shout Film Festival’s Jury Prize for Best Shout LGBTQ Film and the Sidewalk Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Alabama Film. Notably, the movie was co-directed by Carolyn Sherer, another proud Alabama native.
#MarleneMarleneQueenofMean by moi, Lara Embry and A E Mikesell. FABULOUS illustrations by Tricia Tusa! Out soon!! pic.twitter.com/dnamcXHxge
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) March 13, 2014
Publications
Lara Embry, a multifaceted individual, has made significant contributions to various fields. While her notable publications aren‘t as widely recognized as her other accomplishments, here are a few glimpses into her work:
“Professional Care for Alabama’s Trans Kids”: for an extended period, Lara Embry served as a psychologist in the child and adolescent gender clinic at a prominent medical facility in Alabama. In this capacity, she engaged with numerous families, spanning diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Leveraging her extensive experience as a clinical psychologist, Lara brought attention to the hurdles confronted by transgender children and adolescents in Alabama. Her comprehensive insights were thoughtfully articulated in an article entitled “Professional Care for Alabama’s Trans Kids,” a contribution to AL.com, the largest news and information platform in the state, and published in 2021. Through this endeavor, Lara aimed to champion improved mental health support, and foster greater understanding for this vulnerable population.
“Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean”: Marlene, the self-appointed queen of the entire school and the playground, is known for her unkind ways and has the other kids quaking in fear—until Big Freddy stands up to her. In a style of rhyming characteristic of the works of Dr. Seuss, authors Lara Embry and actress Jane Lynch, along with former children’s book editor A. E. Mikesell, artfully unravel the tale of a bully’s comeuppance, and her journey toward redemption in the aforementioned book. Tricia Tusa’s delightful illustrations add an extra layer of charm. The book was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House.
Social activist
Lara Embry dedicates substantial effort to champion and safeguard LGBTQ rights, a cause close to her heart. Recognizing her own identity as gay early on, she felt compelled to contribute positively to the community. Lara finds it unacceptable that some individuals oppress others, and her advocacy serves as a means to address this perceived injustice. Leveraging her privileged upbringing, she gained the confidence to challenge societal norms and create opportunities for herself. She consistently sought more opportunities that she believed could have a meaningful impact, and made a concerted effort to turn those thoughts into action.
Notably, she served as the Co-Vice Chair of the board of the Trevor Project, a prominent American non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth. Through her multifaceted efforts, Lara actively contributes to fostering positive change and empowerment within the LGBTQ community.
Personal Life
Lara Embry’s marriage to American actress-comedian Jane Lynch garnered significant public attention. Before that, she was in a relationship with Kimberly Ryan.
Lara Embry’s fight for parental rights
Lara Embry and Kimberly Ryan were a couple who, during their relationship, welcomed two children into their lives. Each partner gave birth to one child, and both children were legally adopted by the non-biological parent through second-parent adoptions in Washington. Subsequently, the couple relocated to Florida, but their relationship concluded in 2004.
In the aftermath of their separation, Lara and Kimberly reached an agreement that allowed them to share equal custody and visitation rights with both children. This arrangement continued harmoniously until 2007, when Kimberly unilaterally decided to break the agreement. Despite the fact that the children had been raised together as siblings, Kimberly opted to raise her biological child, Chase, independently. Simultaneously, Lara was left to raise her own biological child, Haden. Regrettably, this resulted in a complete cessation of communication between the parents, and Kimberley adamantly refused any contact between the two children.
Lara swiftly filed a lawsuit, but the initial Florida court decision favored Kimberly, citing a same-sex adoption prohibition. Fortunately, in 2009, the Florida Court of Appeals unanimously overturned this lower court ruling. Lara’s resilience and commitment in defending her parental rights earned her an award from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the organization that supported her during the legal battle.
Love at first sight to wedding bells
In 2009, Lara Embry and Jane Lynch first crossed paths at the National Center for Lesbian Rights gala held in San Francisco, where Lara was being honored with an award for her work, and Jane had been invited to present an award. Lara initiated their interaction, describing the encounter as love at first sight. The connection between them was immediate, leading to their marriage a year later, on Memorial Day, in an intimate ceremony in Sunderland, Massachusetts, where gay marriage is recognized. Lara’s daughter was eight at that time.
Lara, initially hesitant to enter into a new relationship following a challenging experience with a former partner that ended in a lawsuit, found herself drawn to Jane as she walked through the lobby. For Jane, the timing felt serendipitous, coinciding with a period of contentment, no longer having that ‘fevered ambition.’ She emphasized that their differences played a pivotal role in bringing them together.
Divorce settlements
In June 2013, a joint statement was released, announcing the couple’s difficult decision to end their marriage due to irreconcilable differences, despite their deep affection for each other. They requested privacy to handle this family matter, and by October 2014, the divorce was finalized.
According to court documents, the settlement, reached with careful consideration, involved Jane Lynch agreeing to pay Lara Embry $1.2 million over two years. Lara was also entitled to half of Jane’s residuals from “Two and a Half Men,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” and “Glee,” as well as any television projects during their marriage. Financial arrangements extended to splitting a 401K valued at around $300,000, their 2012 tax refund of about $55,000, and joint bank accounts close to $850,000.
Lara gained ownership of their dog, Francis, while Jane retained a 2013 Audi, a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, and the marital home. Despite the substantial financial implications, Jane Lynch appeared unfazed, stating that the divorce settlement was simply a matter of money.
About Jane Lynch
Born on 14 July 1960, Jane Lynch has enjoyed a successful career spanning film, television, and theater. She is best known for her outstanding portrayal of Sue Sylvester, the track-suit wearing cheerleading coach in Fox’s musical-comedy-drama “Glee,” a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award. Lynch has also garnered recognition for her contributions to “Two and a Half Men” (2004-2014) and “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” (2017-2023).
Renowned not only for her screen presence but also for her notable contributions to the stage, Jane Lynch has showcased her theatrical prowess in various productions. In 2009, she made a significant impact in the off-Broadway play “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” The Broadway stage witnessed Jane’s debut in 2013 when she assumed the role of Miss Hannigan in the revival of “Annie.” Making a triumphant return to Broadway, she recently graced the stage as Mrs Brice in the 2022 revival of “Funny Girl.”
In addition to her acting and singing prowess, Lynch has showcased her comedic talents through hosting game and award shows. Her achievements were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (TV category) in 2013.
Lara Embry’s current relationship?
In a 2018 interview with Indian Springs Magazine, Lara discussed her spouse, Emma, who is also an alumna of Indian Springs School and slightly younger than Lara. They were introduced by a mutual friend, and their shared affection for the school became the foundation of their connection. Beyond this information, there is limited knowledge about their relationship, and it remains uncertain whether they are still together.
Interesting Fact: Love for rowing
Her passion for rowing began during her college years, evolving into years of dedicated participation as one of those adventurous adult athletes, traversing the country to compete with like-minded enthusiasts. While residing in Florida, she embraced coaching, particularly enjoying the opportunity to mentor young rowers. Upon returning to Birmingham, she collaborated with kindred spirits, establishing the Birmingham Area Youth Rowing team on Lake Purdy.
Appearance
Lara Embry stands at a height of 5ft 5ins (168cms), but her weight hasn’t been disclosed to the public. She is characterized by her black hair and captivating hazel green eyes.
Net Worth
Lara Embry, the accomplished clinical psychologist, is reported to have an estimated net worth ranging of over $1 million, as of February 2024, according to authoritative sources.
