Jayma Mays
An actress with a knack for playing endearing, quirky characters, from a germaphobe guidance counselor on 'Glee' to a determined small-town prosecutor.
Born 1979 (age 47)·American actress·Birthday: July 16·Generation X
Biography
Jayma Mays built a career on bringing a specific, relatable warmth to characters who are often a little out of step with the world around them. A native of Grundy, Virginia, she moved to Los Angeles after college and began landing guest spots on television, her expressive eyes and comic timing quickly getting her noticed. While film roles in 'Red Eye' and 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' showcased her range, it was television where she found a lasting home. As Emma Pillsbury on 'Glee', she turned what could have been a one-note germaphobe into the show's heartfelt moral center, her romance with Mr. Schue becoming a fan favorite. She later demonstrated sharp comic chops as the overly earnest prosecutor Carol Anne Keane in 'Trial & Error', perfectly balancing absurdity with sincerity. Mays possesses a unique ability to make eccentricity feel genuine, grounding her characters in a vulnerability that audiences instantly connect with.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Jayma was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jayma Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Jayma's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the beloved guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury for the entire six-season run of the hit series 'Glee'.
- Starred as prosecutor Carol Anne Keane in the NBC comedy series 'Trial & Error'.
- Played a lead role in the CBS sitcom 'The Millers' as Debbie, the daughter of Will Arnett's character.
- Had a recurring role as the empathetic Charlie Andrews on the NBC series 'Heroes'.
Did You Know?
She was a cheerleader at Grundy High School in Virginia.
She is married to actor Adam Campbell, and they have a son together.
She provided the voice for the character 'Judy' in the animated film 'Epic'.
She originally studied to be a forensic scientist before pursuing acting.
“I love finding the humor and heart in characters that others might overlook.”
