Calista Kay Flockhart(born November 11, 1964)[1][2]is an American actress. She is best known for portraying thetitle characteron theFoxtelevision seriesAlly McBeal(1997–2002), for which she received aGolden Globe Awardin 1998 and was thrice nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.From 2006 to 2011, she starred asKitty Walkeron theABCdrama seriesBrothers & Sisters,and between 2015 and 2021, Flockhart appeared asCat Granton the superhero dramaSupergirl.In film, she is known for roles inThe Birdcage(1996),A Midsummer Night's Dream(1999), andThings You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her(2000).
Calista Flockhart | |
|---|---|
 Flockhart in 2009 | |
| Born | Calista Kay Flockhart November 11, 1964 Freeport, Illinois,U.S. |
| Alma mater | Rutgers University, New Brunswick(BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Known for | Ally McBeal Brothers & Sisters A Midsummer Night's Dream Supergirl The Birdcage |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editFlockhart was born inFreeport, Illinois,the daughter of Kay Calista, anEnglishteacher, and Ronald Flockhart, aKraft Foodsexecutive.[3]Her parents retired toMorristown, Tennessee,where her father lived until his death and her mother continues to reside.[4]She has one older brother, Gary. Her mother reversed her own first and middle names in naming her Calista Kay.[5]
Flockhart attendedMason Gross School of the ArtsatRutgers University–New Brunswick.People began recognizing Flockhart's acting ability when William Esper (Mason Gross theater director and Flockhart's acting teacher) made an exception to policy by allowing Flockhart to perform on the main stage. Though this venue usually is reserved for juniors and seniors, Harold Scott insisted that Flockhart perform there in his production ofWilliam Inge'sPicnic.Flockhart graduated with aBachelor of Fine Artsin theater in 1988 from Rutgers as one of the few students who successfully completed the acting course. Rutgers inducted her into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni on May 3, 2003.[6][7]
Career
editEarly career
editIn spring 1989, Flockhart made her first television appearance in a minor role in an episode ofGuiding Lightas a babysitter. She also appeared in a one-hour afternoon special forLifestories: Families in Crisis,playing a teenager battling an eating disorder. Flockhart made her professional debut on the New York stage, appearing inBeside HerselfalongsideMelissa Joan Hart,at theCircle Repertory Theatre.Two years later, Flockhart appeared in the television movieDarrow.Though she later appeared in filmsNaked in New York(1993) andGetting In(1994), her first substantial speaking part in a film was inQuiz Show,directed byRobert Redford.
Flockhart debuted onBroadwayin 1994, as Laura inThe Glass Menagerie.Flockhart received aClarence Derwent Awardfor her performance.[8]In 1995, Flockhart became acquainted with actors such asDianne WiestandFaye Dunawaywhen she appeared in the movieDrunks.In 1996, Flockhart appeared as the daughter ofDianne WiestandGene Hackman's characters inThe Birdcage.Later that year, Flockhart starred inJane Doeas a drug addict, though it was not released until 1999, over three years after filming ended.[9]Throughout that year, she continued to work on Broadway, playing the role of Natasha inAnton Chekhov'sThree Sisters.
Ally McBeal
editIn 1997, Flockhart was asked to audition for the starring role inDavid E. Kelley'sFox televisionseriesAlly McBeal.Kelley, having heard of Flockhart, wanted her to audition for the contract part. Though she hesitated due to the necessary commitment to the show in a negotiable contract, she was swayed by the script and traveled toLos Angelesto audition for the part, which she won. She earned aGolden Globe Awardfor the role in 1998. Flockhart also appeared on the June 29, 1998, cover ofTimemagazine,[10]placed as the newest iteration in the evolution offeminism,relating to the ongoing debate about the role depicted by her character.[11]Flockhart starred on the show until it was canceled in 2002.[12]
Brothers & Sisters
editFlockhart performed in a starring role asKitty Walker,oppositeSally Field,Rachel GriffithsandMatthew Rhys,in the critically acclaimedABCprime time seriesBrothers & Sisters,which premiered in September 2006 in the time slot afterDesperate Housewives.The show was cancelled in May 2011 after running for five years. Flockhart's character was significant throughout the series' first four years, but her appearances were reduced for the 2010–2011 season, coinciding with the departure of TV husbandRob Lowe.
Other work
editFlockhart played the role of Helena inA Midsummer Night's Dream,a 1999 film version ofShakespeare's play. In 2000, she appeared inThings You Can Tell Just by Looking at HerandBash: Latter-Day Plays,later accompanyingEve EnslertoKenyain order to protest violence against women, particularlyfemale genital mutilation.Flockhart also starred in theoff-Broadwayproduction of Ensler'sThe Vagina Monologues.
In 2004, Flockhart appeared asMatthew Broderick's deranged girlfriend inThe Last Shot.In the same year, Flockhart traveled toSpainfor the filming ofFragile,which premiered in September 2005 at theVenice Film Festival.She was offered the role ofSusan MayeronDesperate Housewivesbut declined, and the role later went toTeri Hatcher.[13]
In 2014, Flockhart landed a role inFull Circle'ssecond season, as mob Boss Ellen. It was expected to air in 2015. This had been Flockhart's first acting role in three years, after her hiatus whenBrothers & Sistersended.
In 2015, Flockhart was cast in the television seriesSupergirlasCat Grant,a "self-made media magnate and founder of CatCo" and Boss to Kara (Supergirl's alter ego).[14]The series premiered on October 26, 2015, onCBS.[15]Due to the network's wish to reduce the show's budget, it was moved to sister networkThe CWafter its first season, along with a move to filming in Vancouver. Flockhart remained with the show (albeit as a recurring character), despite her previous aversion to working outside Los Angeles.[16]
In 2022, she played the role of Martha oppositeZachary QuintoinEdward Albee'sWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?at theGeffen Playhousein Los Angeles. The production was directed byGordon Greenbergand also starredAimee CarreroandGraham Phillips.[17]
In 2024, Flockhart appeared asLee RadziwillinCapote vs. The Swans,the second season of the anthology seriesFeud.[18]Regarding playing Radziwill in an interview withThe New York Times,Flockhart said, “Truman Capoterecognized that she was living in her sister’s shadow... and he would say things: ‘You’re so much prettier. You’re so much smarter. You’re more interesting. You have better style.’ She really needed to hear that. I think it made her really love Truman. He was fun, and she confided in him, like they all did.”[19]
Personal life
editIn January 2001, Flockhart announced that she had adopted a baby boy.[20]
Flockhart is married to actorHarrison Ford,whom she first met at theGolden Globe Awardson January 20, 2002.[21]They became engaged on Valentine's Day in 2009, and were married on June 15, 2010, inSanta Fe, New Mexico.The ceremony was presided over by New Mexico GovernorBill Richardsonand New Mexico Supreme Court Chief JusticeCharles W. Daniels.[22]Flockhart and Ford share their adopted son, Liam Flockhart Ford.[22][23]
From 2004 to 2014, Flockhart served as the national spokeswoman for Peace Over Violence.[24][25]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Naked in New York | Acting student |
| 1994 | Clear Cut | |
| Gettin In | Amanda Morel | |
| Quiz Show | Barnard Girl | |
| 1995 | Pictures of Baby Jane Doe | Jane |
| Drunks | Helen | |
| 1996 | The Birdcage | Barbara Keeley |
| Milk & Money | Christine | |
| 1997 | Telling Lies in America | Diney Majeski |
| 1999 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Helena |
| 2000 | Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her | Christine Taylor |
| 2004 | The Last Shot | Valerie Weston |
| 2005 | Fragile | Amy Nicholls |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Guiding Light | Elise | |
| 1991 | Darrow | Lillian Anderson | Movie |
| 1992 | Lifestories: Families in Crisis | Mary-Margaret Carter | Episode: "The Secret Life of Mary Margaret: Portrait of a Bulimic" |
| 1997–2002 | Ally McBeal | Ally McBeal | Lead Role (112 episodes) |
| 1998 | The Practice | Ally McBeal | Episode: "Axe Murderer" |
| 2000 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Vanna Van (voice) | Episode: "Rip Van Winkle" |
| Saturday Night Live | Herself (host) | Episode: "Calista Flockhart / Ricky Martin" | |
| 2001 | Bash: Latter-Day Plays | Sue | Movie |
| 2006–2011 | Brothers & Sisters | Kitty Walker | Lead role (110 episodes) |
| 2014 | Robot Chicken | Dr. Ryan Stone / Smurfette / Rebecca Cunningham (voice) | Episode: "Batman Forever 21" |
| Web Therapy | April Keating | Episodes: "Lost on the Young" and "Judicial Oversight" | |
| 2015 | Full Circle | Ellen Kelly-O'Rourke | 5 episodes |
| 2015–2018, 2021 | Supergirl | Cat Grant | Series regular (season 1; 20 episodes) Recurring (season 2; 4 episodes) Special guest star (season 3: 1 episode; season 6: 1 episode) |
| 2015 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Doris (voice) | Episode: "The Penguin Who Loved Me" |
| 2024 | Feud: Capote vs. The Swans | Lee Radziwill | 8 episodes |
| Invincible | April Howsam (voice) | [26] |
Awards and nominations
editReferences
edit- ^"Calista Flockhart Bio".A&E Television Networks 2015. Archived fromthe originalon March 23, 2018.RetrievedMarch 7,2015.
- ^"Calista Flockhart".TVGuide.RetrievedFebruary 23,2015.
- ^Schneider, Karen S. (November 9, 1998)."Arguing Her Case".People.Archived fromthe originalon June 15, 2016.RetrievedNovember 12,2010.
- ^"Ronald Lee Flockhart".Citizen Tribune.June 28, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2020.RetrievedJuly 24,2020.
- ^"News - Calista Flockhart child of Ronald and Kay Calista".theworldnewsmedia.org.Archived fromthe originalon March 12, 2015.RetrievedJune 9,2013.
- ^"Former 'Ally McBeal' actress named Rutgers distinguished alumna".Associated Press.May 5, 2003.
- ^"Calista Flockhart".Rutgers University Alumni Association.Archivedfrom the original on February 27, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 19,2022.
- ^"Clarence Derwent Award".Actors' Equity Foundation.Archivedfrom the original on April 29, 2023.RetrievedApril 29,2023.
- ^"TCM - Jane Doe (1999)".Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2021.RetrievedMay 31,2021.
- ^"Is Feminism Dead?".Time.June 29, 1998. cover. Archived fromthe originalon February 6, 2007.
- ^Ginia Bellafante (June 29, 1998)."It's All About Me!".Time.Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2007.
- ^"Fox ends 'Ally McBeal' run".CNN.April 18, 2002.Archivedfrom the original on May 27, 2019.RetrievedMay 27,2019.
- ^"Coulda Been a Contender"ArchivedJanuary 17, 2009, at theWayback Machine,slide 7 of 14.AOL Television.Retrieved December 21, 2009.
- ^Nicholson, Matt (February 23, 2015)."Calista Flockhart Cast As Cat Grant In Supergirl".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2015.RetrievedJune 11,2015.
- ^Fitzpatrick, Kevin (June 9, 2015)."CBS 'Supergirl' Sets October Premiere, Plus More Fall Schedules".Screencrush.Archivedfrom the original on June 10, 2015.RetrievedJune 11,2015.
- ^"Calista Flockhart Sets Supergirl Return (But Not as a Series Regular)".TV Line. August 1, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2016.RetrievedAugust 2,2016.
- ^"Edward Albee's" Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? "at Geffen Playhouse".Geffen Playhouse.Archivedfrom the original on July 2, 2022.RetrievedJuly 2,2022.
- ^Otterson, Joe (August 17, 2022)."'Feud' Season 2 at FX Casts Tom Hollander as Truman Capote, Adds Calista Flockhart and Diane Lane (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.RetrievedOctober 14,2023.
- ^Dowd, Maureen (January 26, 2024)."Calista Flockhart Is Back, With a Flock of Venomous Swans".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 27,2024.
- ^"Calista Flockhart Adopts Baby".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on June 13, 2018.RetrievedJuly 6,2023.
- ^"Harrison Ford Married To Calista Flockhart".harrisonbiography. July 20, 2024.
- ^abMike Haederle (June 16, 2010)."Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart get married!".People.RetrievedFebruary 19,2013.
- ^"Calista Flockhart Adopts Baby".ABC News.January 6, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on June 13, 2018.RetrievedJune 6,2018.
- ^"National Spokesperson Emeritus".Peace Over Violence. Archived fromthe originalon April 27, 2015.RetrievedApril 19,2015.
- ^"Peace Over Violence 37th Annual Humanitarian Awards".Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on July 29, 2020.RetrievedNovember 7,2008.
- ^"Invincible Season 2: Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More".RetrievedSeptember 11,2023.
External links
edit
