Maggie Wheeler

Maggie Wheeler, born Margaret Emily Jakobson on August 7, 1961, in New York City, New York, is an American actress widely recognized for her distinctive voice and memorable television roles.

Breakthrough Role on Friends

Maggie Wheeler is best known for her recurring role as Janice Litman-Goralnik on the hit NBC sitcom Friends. Her portrayal of Janice, characterized by her nasally voice and iconic catchphrase “Oh. My. God.,” made her one of the show’s most recognizable side characters over its ten-season run.

Television Career Highlights

In addition to her work on Friends, Wheeler held a recurring role as Linda on the successful CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. She also appeared as Anita Warrell on the popular 1990s comedy series Ellen.

Wheeler participated in the original pilot for the sitcom Suddenly Susan (1996), playing the role of Marcy. However, following revisions to the show's concept, the character evolved into Vicki and was ultimately played by comedian Kathy Griffin.

Film Appearances

Beyond television, Maggie Wheeler has been featured in several films. Notably, she appeared in the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, a family comedy directed by Nancy Meyers. She also lent her voice to several animated projects, including characters for productions under the Justice League franchise, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

Personal Life

Wheeler has been married to Daniel Borden Wheeler since October 20, 1990. The couple has two daughters, Juno and Gemma, who are five years apart in age. Interestingly, Wheeler was pregnant with her first daughter while filming a Friends episode in which her character Janice was also revealed to be expecting.

Earlier in her life, Wheeler had a brief relationship with actor David Duchovny, known for his lead roles in The X-Files and Californication.