Acting may not have been on Dot-Marie Jones’ to-do list, but she’s certainly checked that box off. Beloved for her multi-Emmy Award-nominated role as Coach Beiste on Glee, her career has been a winding road. She’s had a long-standing career on screen spanning three decades appearing on everything from Married with Children, Nip/Tuck, Patch Adams, Lizzie McGuire, Days of Our Lives, Modern Family, American Horror Story, to Bros, to name just a few, and is currently enjoying a run in the second season of Peacock’s critically acclaimed comedy series, Killing It, starring comedy heavyweight Craig Robinson.
Her journey to Hollywood came by way of sports. She got into the world of strength competitions very early on, did track, became a champion weightlifter, and was named female athlete of the year while in high school. She went on to win All-America honors in shot during her time at Modesto Junior College and Fresno State in California. She became state champion for two years running and set the national record while at junior college. She even qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1988. Attempting something new, she tried her hand at arm wrestling, becoming a 15-time world arm wrestling champion.
After college, she worked as a counselor at a juvenile probation center. Cast in the American Gladiators-like show Knights and Warriors, she would go on to Married with Children, and her career took off from there. Her casting for Glee was the result of a grocery store run-in with co-executive producer Brad Falchuk, her guest recurring spot eventually becoming a main cast member.
Fans loved her on Glee. To what does she attribute her fandom?
I have always been (humble), what you see is what you get. I don’t try to be anything or anyone but myself!
For someone who started out not being an actor, she’s been given some heavy themes in her acting career, tackling gender transition and body issue themes. What was her creative process to make her characters so sincere?
I do my homework. When I played a trans man, I asked a trans man friend questions. I also never want to disrespect anyone who may identify with who I’m playing.
We’ve certainly come a long way with LGBTQ representation, now we are having the conversation that trans actors should be playing trans characters – a quite different climate than ten years ago. Having played a trans character in Glee, what is her opinion concerning the casting of LGBTQ as LGBTQ?
If you can do the job and do it with respect, then do it. I have played several characters that are not authentic to who I am. That’s why it’s called acting! They didn’t want me to play myself, they hired me to play that character. And I mean that with no disrespect to anyone.
She’s appeared in such a wide variety of TV shows, Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, American Horror Story, the list goes on and on. Which guest starring role has been the most memorable experience?
OMG, there are so many! And they were all memorable. I’m so grateful for all the work I have done.
With all of her sports achievements, does she miss the sports world?
I miss it every day! I miss throwing the shot-put and arm wrestling a lot, but after 15 world titles in arm wrestling, I said I would retire, and I did. I also have a prosthetic shoulder joint and now both of my knees are prosthetic so that mobility is gone.
Ok, what is the best way to win an arm wrestle? [Laughs]
Be smart and know how not to break your arm! [Laughs]
With such an extensive acting resume, what kind of roles is she looking for now?
I love doing comedies, but I’d also love to do more serious roles and more plays. I’m working on a play right now in Chicago with Dana Delany called HIGHWAY PATROL. It’s a true story of Dana’s and it is incredible, as is she. I love working with her.
What is a personal achievement she is most proud of?
I’m very proud to have three Emmy nominations. I’m also very proud to still be doing what we get to do! Anyone of us can be replaced and I’m truly grateful to be doing this going on 33 years.
Ok, now to spill the tea. It was announced that Glee is going to get a reboot, what does Dot-Marie think of that?
I don’t really know what I think about that. It was such an incredible show and time. So many people connected to different roles on that show. I know there are still areas to explore but Ryan, Brad, Ian, and all the others who wrote on the show did such an amazing job representing so many. I just don’t know.
And her message to her fans?
Thank you for being truly amazing! I say it all the time, that if it weren’t for fans, none of us would have a job. I will forever be grateful and never forget that. Thank you.
Season 2 of Killing It is currently streaming on Peacock.
Last modified: February 1, 2024
