Jane Frances Kaczmarek (Polish pronunciation: [kat͡ʂˈmarɛk]; born December 21, 1955) is an American actress. She is best known for playing the character of Lois on the television series Malcolm in the Middle (2000–06). Kaczmarek is a three-time Golden Globe and seven-time Emmy Award nominee. As of 2014, she has been playing Pam in FOX’s Us & Them.