Trivia

She was discovered by Fran Walsh - who was looking for a teenage actress to play Pauline Parker in Heavenly Creatures (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.

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

Was the first person to kiss Kate Winslet in a film (Heavenly Creatures (1994)).

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

She had just turned 18 when she made a cameo appearance in The Frighteners (1996), which was her second collaboration with Peter Jackson (the first being Heavenly Creatures (1994)).

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

Her surname is Irish.

Turned down a role in Mansfield Park (1999) for fear of typecasting - she'd already played a similar part in Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998).

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).

One of her best friends is Michael Weston, whom she met during the making of Coyote Ugly (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.

Was considered for the role of Giselle in Mona Lisa Smile (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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Her favorite authors are Margaret Atwood and Milan Kundera.

Has appeared in three films (to date) with Gillian Jacobs: Helena from the Wedding (2010), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012), and The Big Ask (2013).

Auditioned for roles in The Craft (1996), The Crucible (1996), Scream (1996), Cousin Bette (1998), Scream 3 (2000), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Gangs of New York (2002), Junebug (2005), and Take This Waltz (2011).

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, Michael Haneke, and Nicole Holofcener.

Frequently works with past co-stars.

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

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

Stepdaughter-in-law of Amy Yasbeck.

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

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

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 Big Stan (2007), but was replaced by Jennifer Morrison due to scheduling conflicts.