Before Jayma Mays became a widely recognized name in households across the country, her most notable film role came as the love interest to Kevin James’ clumsy security guard in the comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009). Though their charming onscreen dynamic contributed to the movie’s commercial success, it was nothing compared to the excitement that followed Mays’ next big project—Glee. This musical comedy series, which aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015, followed a group of misfit high school students navigating the ups and downs of adolescence while being supported—or challenged—by various faculty members. In the show, Jayma Mays portrayed Emma Pillsbury, the compassionate and germ-conscious school counselor who often served as the emotional anchor amid the show’s dazzling musical performances, teenage drama, and romantic subplots. With her warm and endearing portrayal, Mays quickly rose from a dependable supporting actress to a beloved leading figure in primetime television.
As Glee progressed into its later seasons, Jayma Mays also appeared in the sitcom The Millers (CBS, 2013–15), starring Will Arnett, and lent her voice to the animated children’s series The Adventures of Puss in Boots (Netflix, 2015–present). She later joined the cast of the mockumentary comedy Trial and Error (NBC, 2017– ), further showcasing her comedic range. On the big screen, she appeared in Doug Liman’s American Made (2017), an action-packed comedy starring Tom Cruise and inspired by a true story from the CIA’s covert operations in the 1980s. Through each role, Jayma Mays continued to build a diverse and memorable career in both film and television.
Jayma Mays has been part of several movies, but her highest rated film to date is American Made (2017), which received a lot of positive feedback from both critics and audiences. On the flip side, one of her lower rated projects is Epic Movie (2007), which didn’t quite resonate as well with viewers. While Jayma Mays has appeared in a variety of roles over the years, these two films represent the high and low points in terms of reception. Jayma Mays continues to be recognized for her talent, even when some of her projects don’t perform as strongly.