Mary McDonnell is the most famous and talented American stage, TV, and film actress. She is well known for performing as President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica, First Lady Marilyn Whitmore in Independence Day, and Rose in Donnie Darko.Â
She played several roles in the TV series. The simplest thing about her career is that she has won many prestigious awards, and one of the famous awards that she won is the Obie award for best actress in 1981 for enjoying painting. Besides all, she is also nominated for various roles.Â
Let’s know all the details about her career journey, relationship, net worth, and all other essential details.Â
Quick Information
| Full Name | Mary Eileen McDonnell |
| Date of Birth | 28th April 1952 |
| Age | 71 Years old ( As of 2024) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse/Boyfriend | Randle Mell (m. 1984) |
| Height | 5 Feet and 6 inches or (169 cm) |
| Weight | 65 Kg or (143 lbs) |
| Bra Size | 34 C |
| Body measurements | 37-28-38 inches (94-71-97 cm) |
Early Life and Education
Mary Eileen McDonnell, born on April 28, 1952, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was one of six children of Eileen and John “Jack” McDonnell, who worked as a computer consultant. She got her degree from the State University at Fredonia.Â
Later on, she needs to complete the work from the drama school and become a resident of Long Wharf Theatre in Connecticut. She worked with the theatre for two decades. However, she worked for over 21 years in TV and theatre.Â
She, of Irish descent, grew up as a Roman Catholic. When she was a child, her family moved to Ithaca, New York, where she spent the rest of her childhood. Her father passed away when she was 21 years old.
Professional Life
McDonnell’s acting career began in 1980 on the soap opera As the World Turns. She starred in the CBS medical comedy E/R in 1984 and guest-starred on NBC’s medical series ER in 2001. She was nominated for an Emmy for her role on ER.
She acted in Buried Child twice, in 1978 and 1979, as “Shelly.” In 1981, she won an Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance in Still Life. She also performed in Execution of Justice, The Heidi Chronicles, and Summer and Smoke on Broadway.
She debuted in Kevin Costner’s 1990 movie “Dances with Wolves” as Stands with a Fist, the daughter of American settlers raised by Sioux Indians. Despite being only ten months younger than Graham Greene, who played her father, and less than two years younger than Tantoo Cardinal, who played her mother, she earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
She received her second Oscar nomination for Best Actress for Passion Fish (1992). She has also starred in Grand Canyon (1991), Sneakers (1992), Independence Day (1996), and Donnie Darko (2001). She acted alongside Patrick Swayze in Tiger Warsaw (1988) and played the judge in 12 Angry Men (1997). She also played Dr. Virginia Dixon, a surgeon with Asperger syndrome, on Grey’s Anatomy in 2008 and 2009.
She played Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica miniseries in 2003. Her performance was highly acclaimed worldwide. She was even invited to the United Nations for a retrospective and discussion with Edward James Olmos.
She joined the “Battlestar Galactica” session at the 2009 World Science Festival with M. Hogan, N. Bostrom, and K. Warwick. She played Kate Roberts, Emma Roberts’ mother, in “Scream 4” in 2011.
From 2009 to 2012, She played Capt. Sharon Raydor in The Closer. She received an Emmy nomination for the role in 2011, playing a police captain who often clashed with Kyra Sedgwick’s character in the Force Investigation Division.
Her character from The Closer continued as the lead in the spin-off Major Crimes, which ran from 2012 to 2018. In 2024, she played the main role in the Television Series Mary Dove Shaw.Â
Net Worth and Awards
Mary McDonnell has an estimated net worth of around $12 million. She gained this wealth through her acting career,and brand endorsement. Moreover, Her career has spanned over 40 years, during which she has received numerous awards for her work in movies and television.Â
She has been nominated for two Academy Awards (1991-1993), two Golden Globe Awards (1991-1993), and two Primetime Emmy Awards (2002-2011). In 2009, she also won the Saturn Award. She was also nominated for the Critics’ Choice Television Awards in 2024.
Relationship Status
McDonnell tied the knot with actor Randle Mell in 1984. The couple had two children, Michael and Olivia. They separated in December 2021.
Social Media Presence
Mary McDonnell is an active social media user with Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook profiles. She has over 34.9k followers on Instagram under the username “theladybam”. On Twitter, she has more than 52.3K followers under the username “@MaryMcDonnell10”. On Facebook, her profile username is Mary McDonnell, and she has more than 48K followers with 0 following.Â
Instagram: Mary McDonnell (@theladybam) • Instagram photos and videos
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