Jane Lynch Shows Off Sue's Cuddly Side

Shhhhh. Sue Sylvester from "Glee" would hate for this to get out.

In real life, she's not a witch. A few other words come to mind.

Try doll.

Sweetheart.

Softie?

Or should I say Chicago native Jane Lynch who plays Sue couldn't be any nicer.

A small-town girl at heart, she grew up in Dalton, Illinois where she wasn't exactly told to reach for the stars.

In fact, her show biz dreams were crushed.

"I was told my dreams of stardom were bleak," Jane tells me as she walks around the streets of Sarasota, Florida getting in a little cardio as we talk. "It crushed my little heart."

"I remember my mom saying to me, 'Jane, not everyone gets to do what they really want to do.' Now, Mom says, 'Honey, I thought I was actually helping you.'"

Cut to her mid-lifer dilemmas like a few weeks ago when she was at home in Florida turning heads during another daily stroll. "People stop, turn, look and always go, 'Nah, it's not her.'"

At age 50, she has finally arrived.

MINIMAL MAKEUP

Catch up with Jane on a busy weekday and her thoughts aren't exactly on all the fuss of being a big TV star.

In fact, Jane isn't a heavy made-up teacher on "Glee." Her make-up artist keeps it simple with some Smith's Rosebud Salve as lipstick and a very minimalistic look that has included a mix of Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation in Blush Ivory plus Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation in Warm Ivory. She has also used Julie Hewett eye shadows including Bellini and Remy with some MAC Shroom. Just add a few coats of mascara.

"I like to keep it simple," she says of beauty routines. "Life is just so full these days that I need to do things that uncomplicated my daily routine."

LIFE ON THE "GLEE" SET

Jane has had a rocky season as Sue on "Glee." The TV meanie lost her precious cheerleading squad and her beloved sister. "It's all about Sue getting her comeuppance.

"She has been broken down and humiliated this year. And I mean humiliated worse than me doing that 'Physical' video with Olivia Newton John.'

"But Sue still has revenge in her heart," she says.

It thrills Jane to get word that Madonna loved the tribute episode where Jane sings "Vogue."

"I was so nervous," Jane says of doing the number. "They taught me the dance before Christmas that year and I didn't film it until late in February. That's how long it took to get Vogue into my body. I was pleased with it. At least, I did it the right way — once. And I loved singing."

Does she have a dream singer to duet with on the show? Maybe Springsteen?

 "Yes, I'm sure Bruce is knocking right now. I did hear Billy Joel's name mentioned. You know what would be fantastic? Carol King or Joni Mitchell.

" I'd leave my body if either happened. It would be like, 'Go ahead. Make all my dreams come true.'"

She revels in the huge fan base for the show.

"The cool thing is we have fans from five to 95. Did you know a senior Glee fan is now a Gleezer. So there are Gleeks and Gleezers."

A GLEEFUL LIFE

Jane lives with her wife Lara Embry, a clinical psychologist, and her stepdaughter Haden in Florida. She says being a step-mom was a role that she didn't expect, but cherishes. "At my age, I thought the possibility was behind me. This is a real delight."

Lynch is also having a delightful career with a role in the upcoming "Three Stooges" and a recent turn as Alice the Goose in the hit "Rio." She played Ogress Gretched in the last "Shrek."

By the way, she looked a lot cuter in the film than Cameron Diaz's Fiona.

 "Thank you very much. You know, me and Cam," Jane jokes.

"We're on the same trajectory. We're living parallel lives," she says. "Honestly, it's so funny. When I get a call to do a movie, I usually say, 'Yes, okay. I don't ask who it is.' I just say, 'So, where do I go…what do I say?'"

"I'm just glad my ogress didn't have a lot of facial hair," Jane jokes. 

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