Anna Chlumsky has learned that being a new mom comes first in life — even ahead of Emmy nominations.
The 32-year-old actress just gave birth to her first child, daughter Penelope Joan , and was up late breastfeeding the newborn when she got a call that she was nominated for her role in HBO’s Veep .
“It was neat because it was me and my husband and my daughter all in the room getting the news at the same time,” Chlumsky said. “When [my manager] told me, it was that nervous, happy, appreciative laughter. I just laughed a lot! It feels really great to have your work noticed.”
The nomination marks a new career phase for the former child actress. Best known for her role in the 1990 tear-jerker My Girl , Chlumsky took mostly small roles and one-time television appearances after that. Between 1999 and 2005 she took a hiatus from acting as roles became scarce. Instead Anna Chlumsky enrolled at the University of Chicago, graduating in 2002 with a degree in International Studies.
Chlumsky returned to acting in 2006, again working in smaller parts. Now in Veep she has found a new acting life, playing Amy Brookheimer, the vice president’s chief of staff.
Anna said the show is coming into its own now in its second season, in which it garnered five Emmy nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series.
“I personally think it has something to do with how everybody knows the characters in the second season…you can get into the nitty-gritty of the politicking,” Chlumsky said.
On top of her acting, Anna Chlumsky and husband Shaun So has been devoting their time to newborn Penelope.
“She’s a really good mix between my husband and me,” the actress told People . “When she’s with him, you see him, and when she’s with me, you see me. She’s a perfect mix.”
On September 23, Anna Chlumsky will find out if she can add an Emmy award statue alongside her onesies and baby bottles.
