Felicity Huffman is an American actress best known for her role as Lynette Scavo in the ABC comedy-drama Desperate Housewives. Huffman’s performance in the series earned her multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Her character was a stay-at-home mom who faced various challenges and struggles, making her relatable to many viewers.
Desperate Housewives was a groundbreaking series that premiered in 2004 and ran for eight seasons. The show followed the lives of four women in a suburban neighborhood, and their secrets and scandals. It tackled serious issues such as domestic violence, infidelity, and substance abuse, while also providing comedic relief. The series was a massive hit and had a significant impact on pop culture.
Key Takeaways
- Felicity Huffman’s role as Lynette Scavo in Desperate Housewives earned her critical acclaim and multiple awards.
- Desperate Housewives was a groundbreaking series that tackled serious issues while also providing comedic relief.
- Huffman’s involvement in a college admissions scandal brought controversy to her career.
Felicity Huffman’s Role on Desperate Housewives
Character Overview
Felicity Huffman played Lynette Scavo, a former advertising executive turned stay-at-home mom on the hit TV show “Desperate Housewives.” Lynette was one of the four main characters on the show and was often portrayed as the most relatable of the group. She struggled with balancing her career aspirations with her responsibilities as a mother of four, often leading to humorous and relatable storylines.
Critical Reception
Huffman’s portrayal of Lynette Scavo was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. She was nominated for numerous awards for her performance on the show, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005. Critics praised her ability to bring depth and nuance to a character that could have easily become one-dimensional.
Notable Storylines
One of Lynette’s most memorable storylines on “Desperate Housewives” was her battle with cancer. In season 3, Lynette was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy. Huffman’s performance in these episodes was widely praised, with critics noting her ability to bring both humor and heart to the storyline.
Another notable storyline for Lynette was her struggle with postpartum depression. In season 1, Lynette gave birth to twins and struggled with depression in the aftermath. This storyline was praised for its realistic portrayal of postpartum depression and Huffman’s performance was widely praised.
Overall, Huffman’s portrayal of Lynette Scavo on “Desperate Housewives” was a highlight of the show. She brought depth and nuance to a character that could have easily become one-dimensional and her performances in some of the show’s most memorable storylines were widely praised.
Desperate Housewives Series Impact
Cultural Influence
Desperate Housewives was a popular American television series that aired from 2004 to 2012. It was a show that followed the lives of four women living in a suburban neighborhood, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show’s success can be attributed to its unique blend of comedy, drama, and mystery.
The series was known for its strong female characters and its ability to tackle controversial topics such as infidelity, abortion, and homosexuality. It was also praised for its portrayal of mental illness and its use of flashbacks to tell the story.
Desperate Housewives had a significant impact on popular culture. The show spawned numerous parodies and references in other media, including music, film, and television. The show’s iconic opening sequence, which featured a bird’s eye view of the neighborhood, became a cultural touchstone.
Awards and Nominations
Desperate Housewives was also a critical success, receiving numerous awards and nominations throughout its run. The show won a total of 56 awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Felicity Huffman), Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series.
In addition to the Emmy Awards, Desperate Housewives also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a People’s Choice Award. The show was also nominated for several other awards, including a Writers Guild of America Award and a Producers Guild of America Award.
Overall, Desperate Housewives had a significant impact on popular culture and was a critical and commercial success. The show’s unique blend of comedy, drama, and mystery, as well as its strong female characters, made it a cultural touchstone that continues to be referenced and celebrated today.
Behind the Scenes
Casting Process
The casting process for Desperate Housewives was extensive, with many actresses auditioning for the roles. Felicity Huffman was initially hesitant to take on the role of Lynette Scavo, but after reading the script, she was convinced it was the right choice for her. Marc Cherry, the show’s creator, was impressed with Huffman’s performance and offered her the role.
Nicollette Sheridan was initially cast as Edie Britt, one of the main characters on the show. However, her character was killed off in season five, which was a controversial move among fans of the show. Teri Hatcher, who played Susan Mayer, was also a popular choice for the role, with many fans relating to her character’s struggles.
Character Development
The characters on Desperate Housewives were complex and multi-dimensional, with each character having their own unique backstory and motivations. Felicity Huffman’s character, Lynette Scavo, was a working mother who struggled to balance her career with her family life. Over the course of the show, her character evolved and grew, becoming a strong and independent woman who was able to overcome the challenges she faced.
Nicollette Sheridan’s character, Edie Britt, was initially portrayed as a seductive and manipulative woman who caused trouble for the other characters on the show. However, as the show progressed, her character became more sympathetic, with fans of the show expressing their sadness when her character was killed off.
Overall, the behind-the-scenes process for Desperate Housewives was complex and involved, with many different factors contributing to the success of the show. From the casting process to the development of the characters, each element played a crucial role in making the show the success it was.
Felicity Huffman’s Career
Career Highlights
Felicity Huffman is an American actress born on December 9, 1962, in Bedford, New York. She began her acting career in the late 1970s, appearing in various television shows and movies. Huffman gained widespread recognition for her role as Lynette Scavo in the hit television series “Desperate Housewives” (2004-2012). She received several award nominations for her performance, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005.
Huffman’s other notable works include her roles in the drama film “Transamerica” (2005), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and the crime drama series “American Crime” (2015-2017), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie in 2015.
Post-Desperate Housewives Work
After “Desperate Housewives” ended, Huffman continued to work in the entertainment industry. She appeared in several movies, including “Cake” (2014), “Krystal” (2017), and “Tammy’s Always Dying” (2019). Huffman also returned to television, starring in the comedy-drama series “The Lipstick Jungle” (2013) and the limited series “When They See Us” (2019).
In 2019, Huffman was involved in a college admissions scandal, where she paid $15,000 to have her daughter’s SAT scores falsified. She pleaded guilty to the charges and served 11 days in prison. Since then, Huffman has been working to help others affected by the scandal and has spoken publicly about her experience.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Felicity Huffman, known for her role as Lynette Scavo in the popular TV series Desperate Housewives, was involved in a college admissions scandal that rocked the nation in 2019. Huffman was one of the 50 people charged in the case, which involved wealthy parents paying bribes to get their children admitted to elite colleges.
Huffman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud, admitting that she paid $15,000 to have her daughter’s SAT scores corrected. She was sentenced to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service. Huffman served her sentence in October 2019 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California.
The scandal not only affected Huffman’s reputation but also resulted in her being fired from the Netflix series When They See Us. Huffman has since expressed remorse for her actions and has been working to help others avoid making similar mistakes. In an interview with CNN, she stated that she hopes her story can serve as a cautionary tale for parents who feel the pressure to ensure their children’s success.
Overall, Huffman’s involvement in the college admissions scandal was a significant controversy that had a negative impact on her career and reputation. However, she has taken responsibility for her actions and is working to move forward from the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Felicity Huffman play on ‘Desperate Housewives’?
Felicity Huffman played the role of Lynette Scavo, one of the main characters on the hit television series ‘Desperate Housewives’. Lynette was a working mother of four who struggled to balance her career with her family life.
Has Felicity Huffman won any awards for her role in ‘Desperate Housewives’?
Yes, Felicity Huffman won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005 for her role as Lynette Scavo on ‘Desperate Housewives’.
What was Felicity Huffman’s character’s storyline in ‘Desperate Housewives’?
Lynette Scavo’s storyline on ‘Desperate Housewives’ revolved around her struggles to balance her career with her family life, as well as her relationships with her husband Tom and her children.
How did Felicity Huffman’s career change after ‘Desperate Housewives’?
After ‘Desperate Housewives’, Felicity Huffman continued to work in television and film. She appeared in several movies, including ‘Cake’ and ‘Krystal’, and also starred in the television series ‘American Crime’.
With whom did Felicity Huffman’s character have significant relationships on ‘Desperate Housewives’?
Lynette Scavo had significant relationships with her husband Tom, her children, and her close friends on ‘Desperate Housewives’. She also had a complicated relationship with her mother, Stella Wingfield.
Did Felicity Huffman direct any episodes of ‘Desperate Housewives’?
Yes, Felicity Huffman directed one episode of ‘Desperate Housewives’ during its eighth and final season. The episode, titled “Women and Death”, aired in 2012.