Constance Shulman

Constance Ann Shulman (born April 4, 1958 ) is an American actress. In 1987, Shulman originated the role of Annelle in the first production of Steel Magnolias off Broadway. She later appeared in films Fletch Lives, Men Don't Leave (1990), and Fried Green Tomatoes (1991). She voiced Patti Mayonnaise in the animated sitcom Doug (1991–99) and the 1999 film Doug's 1st Movie. She played Yoga Jones in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Orange Is the New Black from 2013 to 2017, for which she received three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Life and career A native of Johnson City, Tennessee, Shulman is one of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lipner Shulman, a Jewish-American couple who had recently relocated from Fall River, Massachusetts. She moved to New York City to study acting at the Circle in the Square Theatre School and pursue an acting career. In 1987, Shulman originated the role of Annelle in the first production of Steel Magnolias on Off-Broadway. In 1989, she made her screen debut in the comedy film Fletch Lives, playing Cindy Mae. She later had supporting parts in films Lost Angels (1989), Men Don't Leave (1990), and Fried Green Tomatoes (1991).

On television, Shulman worked as a voice actress, playing Patti Mayonnaise on Doug from 1991 to 1999. In the early 1990s, Shulman appeared in a series of Kraft mayonnaise commercials. She was also a regular cast member in the short-lived 1996 ABC sitcom, The Faculty, playing the best friend of Meredith Baxter's character, and the Dolly Parton unaired CBS sitcom Heavens to Betsy (1994). In the late 1990s Shulman left the screen to raise her two children. She left the series after five seasons in 2017 and appeared in the series finale in 2019. She later appeared in films Nasty Baby (2015) and Most Likely to Murder (2018) and guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Broad City, and The Blacklist.

In 2015, Shulman starred in off-Broadway production of Barbecue receiving an AUDELCO nomination. In 2018, Shulman received positive reviews and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play nomination for her performance in the play Bobbie Clearly. In 2019 she performed in the Broadway revival of The Rose Tattoo. In 2021, Shulman starred in the independent films Giving Birth to a Butterfly playing a former actress like Norma Desmond and Strawberry Mansion. Both films have received positive reviews from critics. In 2022, she had a recurring role in the HBO Max comedy series Search Party and later was cast in the Showtime comedy The Curse. In 2023 she starred in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of The Best We Could.

Personal life She is married to fellow actor Reed Birney, and their daughter Gus Birney is an actress.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1989 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Bonnie Sayles Episodes: "Here's Why You Should Lock Your Bathroom Door" and "Here's a Little Night Music"1991Lethal Innocence Nell WillisTelevision film1991–1992Loving MaggieRecurring role 1991–1999 Doug Patti Mayonnaise Voice roleMain role, 117 episodes 1994 Heavens to Betsy Donna 6 episodes 1996 The Faculty Shelly Ray 13 episodes 2013–2017; 2019 Orange Is the New Black Yoga Jones Recurring role, 48 episodesScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2015–17)Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 2014 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Daycare Manager Episode: "Wednesday's Child" 2017 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Milly Sparkles Voice role, episode: "Mathmagic/The Bounce Lounge" 2017 Broad City Oda Episode: "Sliding Doors" 2017 The Blacklist Fiona Episode: "Ilyas Surkov (No. 54)" 2019 OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Dr. Sphinxson Voice role, episode: "Radical Rescue" 2022 Search Party Helen 3 episodes 2023–2024 The Curse Elizabeth Recurring role 2026 Will TrentShellyEpisode: "The Blank Expanse of Nothing" 2026 Furious Marshall's mom Episodes: "Memory Distortion" and "Some Days It Don't Come Easy"

Stage Year Title Role Notes 1987 Steel Magnolias Annelle WPA Theatre, Off-Broadway 1993 Loose Knit Margie Second Stage Theater, Off-Broadway 2015 Barbecue Adlean Public Theater, Off-Broadway 2018 Bobbie Clearly Darla London Roundabout Theatre Company, Off-Broadway 2019 The Rose Tattoo The Strega American Airlines Theatre, Broadway 2022 Shhhh Witchy Witch/Sally Atlantic Theater Company, Off-Broadway 2023 The Best We Could Peg Manhattan Theatre Club, Off-Broadway 2024 Dirty Laundry Another Woman WP Theater 2025–2026 Well, I'll Let You Go Joanie The Space at Irondale/Studio Seaview, Off-Broadway