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American actress Mary Eileen McDonnell was born on April 28, 1952, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA. She grew up in a large family with her parents, John and Eileen McDonnell, and five siblings: John, Judith, Jackie, Sally, and Jane. Growing up in a close-knit, bustling household, McDonnell developed a strong sense of individuality that later propelled her toward a successful acting career.
After high school, McDonnell attended the State University of New York at Fredonia. She later studied acting at the drama school affiliated with the State University of New York’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film at Purchase. Her dedication to the craft led her to join the Long Wharf Theatre Company, where she refined her skills through a variety of productions.
McDonnell's breakthrough in theater came in 1981 when she won the Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance in the play Still Life. She continued to earn acclaim in notable stage productions such as Execution of Justice, Summer and Smoke, and The Heidi Chronicles.
McDonnell transitioned to film in 1984 with her debut in the comedy-drama Garbo Talks. While her role as Lady Capulet in that film was relatively minor, it marked the beginning of her screen career. She went on to appear in Matewan (1987) and Tiger Warsaw (1988). Although these films did not bring her significant fame at the time, they added to her growing body of work.
McDonnell's major breakthrough came in 1990 when she was cast in the western epic Dances with Wolves, directed by and starring Kevin Costner. The film was a massive box office success, grossing over $424 million worldwide. Her role as “Stands With a Fist” earned her critical acclaim and nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1992, McDonnell further solidified her reputation as a leading actress with her performance in Passion Fish, directed by John Sayles. She portrayed May-Alice Culhane, a soap opera actress adjusting to life in a wheelchair. Her compelling performance earned her nominations for both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Actress. Although the film grossed around $4.8 million at the box office, it confirmed McDonnell's ability to carry a leading role.
McDonnell continued her film career with diverse roles, including the First Lady in the blockbuster Independence Day (1996), Rose in the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001), Kate Roberts in Scream 4 (2011), and critical favorite Margin Call (2011), for which she received nominations from the Gotham Awards and the Phoenix Film Critics Society.
From 2003 to 2009, McDonnell starred as President Laura Roslin in the acclaimed sci-fi television series Battlestar Galactica. The role earned her the Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television. She followed this with another prominent role as Captain Sharon Raydor on the TNT series The Closer, a part she continued from 2009 to 2012. She later reprised the character in its spinoff series, Major Crimes, which ran from 2012 to 2018.
Mary McDonnell has been married to actor Randle Mell since 1984. The couple has two children, Michael and Olivia Mell. They reside in Pacific Palisades, California. As of recent estimates, McDonnell has a net worth of approximately $10 million, earning up to $125,000 per episode for television work. She remains a respected figure in both film and television, known for her talent and versatility.
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