Jayma Mays

Jayma Mays was born on July 16, 1979 in Grundy, Va. She attended Radford University and received her performing arts degree in 2001. Three years later, Mays made her television debut as a quirky neighbor on the Friends spin-off Joey. After the show was canceled, she appeared on high-profile shows such as How I Met Your Mother and House, M.D. She went on to land more prominent roles on Entourage, Heroes and Ugly Betty.

In 2007, Mays showed off her comedic chops in the blockbuster spoof Epic Movie. It was there that she met costar Adam Campbell. The two married on October 28, 2007. Mays charmed Paul Blart in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, where she became the movie’s breakout star and helped it gross $31 million in its opening weekend.

In 2009 Mays scored her biggest role yet on the FOX hit Glee. Playing Emma Pillsbury, an OCD high school guidance counselor, the actress became a fan favorite when her character began romancing Matthew Morrison‘s onscreen alter-ego.