Exclusive: Jane Lynch Says She's Been 'Surprised and Delighted' With Her Successful Career: 'Always a Pinch-Me Moment'

Jane Lynch doesn't put too much pressure on her career.

"I've been surprised and delighted by everything that's come my way — and that has taught me that I don't need to wish for anything. I could have never predicted this stuff. I think I do best not having any goals," the 65-year-old exclusively tells Morning Honey ahead of the National Dog Show, presented by Purina, which is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the movie Best in Show, in which she starred.

"You are also open to what can come in because if you're focused over here, and I want to work with so and so, and I want to do this kind of movie, then there's all this stuff coming in and you might miss it," the Glee alum continues of her outlook.

From Glee to hosting Celebrity Weakest Link and so much more, the star is booked and busy. "I don't need to do one thing or another," she says of dabbling in many mediums. "I love the fact that I get to sit back and see what comes up! It's always a pinch-me moment, and I love the variety of things I've gotten to do."

Lynch also doesn't feel like her career was hindered by being a female in comedy. "I just do my thing. I can step back sometimes and I'll have certain thoughts, but that doesn't help me at all. I think we have to stop being so precious about that stuff and just get out there and do your thing!" she exclaims. "It's a tough business. Every business has been taken over by men, and women are making their way up, but I don't measure [that in terms of success]."

"Don't look to succeed. Don't put that pressure on yourself," she adds. "What does that mean at the end of the day? Are you going to make it? Don't do that to yourself. Just stay open. I know this sounds cliché, but truly go where you're happiest. Find something to make you happy; that is what is most important. I never set goals. I rarely go, 'Hm, my career.' Like I said, if something rolls in right at your feet, you might not even notice it."

Though Lynch has had many amazing roles, she always loves revisiting the 2000 movie Best in Show, which is about the highly competitive and cut-throat world of dog shows through the eyes of a group of ruthless dog owners.

Lynch starred as Christy Cummings alongside Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara.

"It's a movie that holds up — and the reasons are many, but I think simply we love dogs, and nobody's better at finding a subculture than Christopher Guest. This movie nailed it. You talk to dog show people and they say, 'Yup, it's like that.' It stands because we're laughing at this and realizing at the same time that we think we're laughing a t these hilarious, ridiculous people, but we're laughing at ourselves," she says.

Lynch is thrilled to hear that people watch it around the holiday season. "They also watch the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day, which is right after the Macy's Day Parade on NBC. So, Best in Show started this movement," she shares, adding that she loved working with the other comedians.

"You get to be isolated with Jennifer Coolidge, which is a pretty fun thing!" she says of not shooting many scenes with the other A-listers. "But I got to meet everyone else in the film and get to know them a little better, and we really did a dog show! We were in a dog show arena, and it's huge! We had to do those huge walks with our dog, and I remember my dog got a little feisty and took off in front of about 300 extras and the entire casting crew. I just wiped out, but it was fun. That was my favorite day, probably."

"I knew of Catherine and Eugene, but I didn't know them personally, and so going into the film, I was very nervous," she continues. "Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman were big movies for me growing up, and they were definitely in my lane in terms of what makes me laugh. To be asked to do this is so exciting at first, and then you go, 'Oh my god, am I able to do this? I am stepping in with the greats, and luckily, Jennifer Coolidge was as afraid as I was.' We supported each other through it. It was fun. We don't all stay close, but every once in a while, we sing together. We love to sing ever since A Mighty Wind. We love to do part singing and harmonize, and that's really fun."

Since Lynch loves gushing about her time in the comedic film, it only made sense for her to partner with Purina.

Best in Show introduced the world to the now-famous Busy Bee toy – which was notoriously lost in the 2000 film. To mark the 25th anniversary of the film and get dog lovers excited for this year's National Dog Show, Purina is giving fans a chance to win their own long-lost Busy Bee dog toy, along with the Best in Show digital movie.

"Busy Bee has been found, as you probably recall from Best in Show. Parker Posey was losing her mind over the fact that she couldn't find Busy Bee, and it's right there with my dog Susie!" she exclaims. "We have 2,500 of these Busy Bee dog toys, and if you get one of them, you also get a digital version of Best in Show."

Fans can enter for a chance to win one of 2,500 Busy Bee dog toys by downloading and signing up for the MyPurina app, visiting the Rewards Catalog, and redeeming the National Dog Show Busy Bee Sweepstakes Entry item. The promotion runs now through December 1, 2025, with winners selected by December 12.