Anecdotes

She was discovered by Fran Walsh - who was looking for a teenage actress to play Pauline Parker in Créatures célestes (1994) - during an exhaustive search of New Zealand high schools, just two weeks before filming was due to commence.

Close friend Emily Deschanel was a bridesmaid at her wedding.

Has a daughter (b. December 2018) with her husband, Jason Ritter.

Announced to Hollywood Today Live (2015) on Thursday, February 16, 2017, that she is engaged to her boyfriend of four years, actor Jason Ritter. They later married sometime before December 2018.

Friends with Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne, both of whom she worked with in But I'm a Cheerleader (1999).

Was the first person to kiss Kate Winslet in a film (Créatures célestes (1994)).

Her father is an orthopedic surgeon and her mother is a real estate agent.

Joss Whedon wanted her to play the part of Willow in Buffy contre les vampires (1997) but, after taking advice from her agent at the time, Lynskey declined the offer, with the role eventually going to Alyson Hannigan.

She had just turned 18 when she made a cameo appearance in Fantômes contre fantômes (1996), which was her second collaboration with Peter Jackson (the first being Créatures célestes (1994)).

(September 25, 2012) Filed for divorce from her husband of five years, Jimmi Simpson, after five months of separation.

Her surname is Irish.

Her daughter's name - Kahikatea, pronounced "kaa-hee-kuh-tay-uh" - is taken from a tall cone-bearing tree, native to New Zealand and valued for its timber and resin.

Turned down a role in Mansfield Park (1999) for fear of typecasting - she'd already played a similar part in À tout jamais: Une histoire de Cendrillon (1998).

As of 2022, she has been in two films that were Oscar nominated for Best Picture: In the Air (2009) and Don't Look Up : Déni cosmique (2021).

Showgirls (1995) is one of her favorite movies, along with Blue Velvet (1986), Kicking and Screaming (1995), Naked (1993), and Wet Hot American Summer (2001).

Was considered for the role of Giselle in Le sourire de Mona Lisa (2003). Despite the part eventually going to Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lynskey sent the film's director - Mike Newell - a "thank you" letter to express her gratitude for his kindness during her audition.

One of her best friends is Michael Weston, whom she met during the making of Coyote Girls (2000) (he played her husband in the film). Twelve years later, Weston's real-life father - John Rubinstein - played her character's dad in Hello I Must Be Going (2012).

Almost landed the role of Valerie in Little Nicky (2000), but lost out to Patricia Arquette.

She attended New Plymouth Girls' High School, and later studied for 18 months at Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.

Supporter of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States).

Received on-set coaching from co-star Sarah Peirse during the making of Créatures célestes (1994).

Once had a dog called Mouse, a chihuahua-dachshund mix, which she named after her character - Mousy Julie - in Abandon (2002).

Friends with Joss Whedon, whom she stayed with in Los Angeles when she was auditioning for roles toward the start of her career.

Had to dub over the entirety of her dialogue in They Came Together (2014) when its director, David Wain, decided during post-production that Lynskey's character - Brenda - should have an American accent. She had initially performed the part using her own New Zealand accent, but Wain later realized this wasn't the right fit for the film.

(1999-2000) Lived in London with then-boyfriend Andrew Howard, whom she met during the filming of La cerisaie (1999) and later worked alongside in Shooters (2002).

Her favorite authors are Margaret Atwood and Milan Kundera.

Auditioned for roles in Dangereuse Alliance (1996), La Chasse aux sorcières (1996), Scream (1996), Cousine Bette (1998), Scream 3 (2000), Le Seigneur des anneaux : La Communauté de l'anneau (2001), Gangs of New York (2002), Junebug (2005), and Take This Waltz (2011).

Daughter-in-law of John Ritter and Nancy Morgan.

Has appeared in three films (to date) with Gillian Jacobs: Helena from the Wedding (2010), Jusqu'à ce que la fin du monde nous sépare (2012), and Teddy Bears (2013).

Starred in a production of Jean Genet's 1947 play "The Maids" at BATS Theatre (Wellington, NZ) between March 9-15, 1997.

The directors she'd most like to work with are Noah Baumbach, Jane Campion, and Michael Haneke.

Named one of E! Online's "Sizzlin' Sixteen" in 2003.

The actresses she most admires are Katrin Cartlidge - whom she worked with on La cerisaie (1999), three years before her death - and Olivia Colman.

Frequently works with past co-stars.

Stepdaughter-in-law of Amy Yasbeck.

Sister-in-law of Carly Ritter and Tyler Ritter; half-sister-in-law of Stella Ritter.

Originally cast to play the female lead in I, Object, but was replaced by Anna Faris due to scheduling conflicts.

Originally cast as Mindy in Le Grand Stan (2007), but was replaced by Jennifer Morrison due to scheduling conflicts.