Mary-Louise Parker

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4 Mar 2024

Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker, born on August 2, 1964, is an accomplished American actress with a career spanning across Broadway, television, and film.
Parker gained recognition for her Broadway debut in Craig Lucas' "Prelude to a Kiss" in 1990, earning a Tony Award nomination. She then ventured into film with notable roles in movies like "Grand Canyon" (1991), "Fried Green Tomatoes" (1991), "The Client" (1994), "Bullets over Broadway" (1994), and "Boys on the Side" (1995). Her performances showcased her versatility and talent, establishing her as a prominent actress in the industry.

In 2001, Parker won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in "Proof," further solidifying her status as a powerhouse on stage. She also made a mark on television, portraying Amy Gardner in the acclaimed series "The West Wing" and earning Emmy nominations for her performance.
One of Parker's most significant television roles came in the form of Nancy Botwin in the series "Weeds," which aired from 2005 to 2012. Her portrayal of the complex character earned her critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.

In addition to her television work, Parker has appeared in various films, including "The Spiderwick Chronicles" (2008), "Red" (2010), "R.I.P.D." (2013), and "Red 2" (2013), showcasing her versatility across different genres.
Parker's talents extend beyond acting; she is also a writer, contributing articles to Esquire magazine and publishing her memoir, "Dear Mr. You," in 2015. Her commitment to storytelling and her ability to captivate audiences both on stage and screen have earned her numerous accolades and nominations throughout her career.

Mary-Louise Parker was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on August 2, 1964, as the youngest of four children. Her parents were Caroline Louise (née Morell) and John Morgan Parker, the latter being a judge who served in the U.S. Army. Due to her father's profession, Parker's childhood was marked by frequent relocations, taking her to various places such as South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, as well as Thailand, Germany, and France.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Parker described it as "profoundly unhappy," despite having material comforts. She attended Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona, before pursuing her passion for drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she graduated in 1986.

Mary-Louise Parker began her acting career with a role on the soap opera "Ryan's Hope." Transitioning to New York City in the late 1980s, she initially took on minor roles before making her Broadway debut in Craig Lucas' play "Prelude to a Kiss" in 1990. Parker portrayed the lead character, Rita, in the production, which originally premiered off-Broadway before moving to Broadway. Her performance earned her the prestigious Clarence Derwent Award, and she received a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal, although she did not reprise the role for the subsequent film adaptation.
In 1989, Parker appeared in the film "Longtime Companion," which centered around the emergence and devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic. The film also starred actors Campbell Scott, Bruce Davison, and Dermot Mulroney.

Mary-Louise Parker's career flourished with notable film roles alongside esteemed actors. She starred alongside Kevin Kline in "Grand Canyon" (1991), Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Jessica Tandy in "Fried Green Tomatoes" (1991), Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones in "The Client" (1994), John Cusack in "Bullets over Broadway" (1994), and Drew Barrymore and Whoopi Goldberg in "Boys on the Side" (1995), portraying a woman with AIDS. Following these roles, Parker appeared in the movie adaptation of Craig Lucas' play "Reckless" (1995) alongside Mia Farrow, and Jane Campion's "The Portrait of a Lady" (1996), featuring Nicole Kidman, Viggo Mortensen, Christian Bale, John Malkovich, and Barbara Hershey. She also starred alongside Matthew Modine in Tim Hunter's "The Maker" (1997).

Continuing her success in theater, Parker appeared off-Broadway in Paula Vogel's critically acclaimed "How I Learned to Drive" in 1997, alongside David Morse. For her performance, she received the 1997 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Actress and the 1997 Obie Award for Performance.
In the late 1990s, Parker ventured into independent films, including "Let the Devil Wear Black" and "The Five Senses." She also starred alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1999 movie "The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn."

From 2000 to 2001, Mary-Louise Parker starred in the play "Proof" in off-Broadway and Broadway productions, garnering critical acclaim and winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the latter.
In December 2003, HBO aired a six-and-a-half-hour adaptation of Tony Kushner's renowned Broadway play "Angels in America," directed by Mike Nichols. Parker portrayed Harper Pitt, the Mormon wife of a closeted lawyer struggling with a Valium addiction. Her performance was highly praised, earning her both the Golden Globe Award and the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film.