Mary McDonnell is an American actress, who earned much fame when she portrayed the role of Stands With A Fist in the western film entitled, Dances with Wolves. McDonnell was born on April 28, 1953 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She was baptized with the real name of Mary Eileen McDonnell and was raised in Ithaca, New York. She entered the State University of New York at Fredonia. She also entered a drama school and also joined the East Coast’s prestigious Long Wharf Theatre Company. After spending 21 years of her life in TV and theatre works, McDonnell had her film break in year 1990 as Stands With A Fist, in the film o Kevin Costner entitled, Dances with Wolves. In year 1992, McDonnell starred in the film called, Passion Fish, where she portrayed the role of May-Alice Culhane, together with Alfre Woodard and Lenore Banks. The film earned her an nomination for an Academy Award for the Best Actress in a Leading Role.
On the other hand, In year 1996, McDonnell appeared as Marilyn Whitmore in the science fiction film called, Independence Day, which also includes the stars of Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum as well as Bill Pullman. In year 1999, she portrayed the role of Linda Marsh in the TV film of Replacing Dad. On the same year, she appeared in the film called, Mimford, where he played the role of Althea Brockett. Moreover, McDonnell was included in the casts of the 2001 thriller film entitled, Donnie Darko, where she portrayed one of the lead roles together with Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone. On the same year, she appeared as a guest star in the TV series of ER, portraying the role of Eleanor Carter. For her portrayal, McDonnell won a nomination for an Emmy Award.
In year 2003, McDonnell also starred in the miniseries of Battlestar Galactica, where she portrayed the role of Laura Roslin, together with Edward James Olmos as well as Katee Sackhoff. She then appeared in the 2005 drama film called, Mrs. Harris, where she portrayed the role of Vivian Schulte together with Annette Bening and Ben Kingsley. She was also featured in three episodes of the TV series of Grey’s Anatomy, where she appeared as Dr. Viginia Dixon from year 2008 until 2009. In addition, in year 2009, he appeared in two TV films, the Killer Hair and the Hostile Makeover, where she portrayed the role of Rose Smithsonian. In year 2011, McDonnell appeared in the horror film of Scream 4, where she portrayed the role of Kate Roberts. On the same year, she appeared as Mary Rogers in the independent drama film entitled, Margin Call, which also includes the stars of Kevin Spacey and Paul Bettany as well as Jeremy Irons. In addition, McDonnell is set to appear in the upcoming film of Major Crimes, where she will be portraying the role of Captain Sharon Raydor.
Mary McDonnell Photo Gallery
