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Mary McCormack

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the actress. For the opera singer, seeMary McCormic.For the chief justice of Michigan, seeBridget Mary McCormack.
Mary McCormack
McCormack in 2022
Born
Mary Catherine McCormack

(1969-02-08)February 8, 1969(age 55)
Plainfield, New Jersey,U.S.
EducationTrinity College(BA)
OccupationActress
Years active1994–present
Spouse
​
(m.2003)​
Children3
RelativesBridget Mary McCormack(sister)
Will McCormack(brother)

Mary Catherine McCormack(born February 8, 1969[1]) is an American actress.

She has had leading roles as Justine Appleton on the seriesMurder One(1995–1997), as Deputy National Security AdviserKate HarperonThe West Wing(2004–2006), as Deputy U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon onIn Plain Sight(2008–2012), and as Peggy on the comedy seriesThe Kids Are Alright(2018–2019).

McCormack's film roles includePrivate Parts(1997),Deep Impact(1998),True Crime(1999),Mystery, Alaska(1999),K-PAX(2001),Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star(2003) and1408(2007).

Early life[edit]

McCormack was born inPlainfield, New Jersey.[1]She is the daughter of clinical therapist Norah and car dealership and ice cream parlor owner William McCormack.[2]Her parents divorced in 1990.[3]Her sisterBridgetwas the chief justice of theMichigan Supreme Court[4]and a professor of law at theUniversity of Michigan Law School.[5]Her brotherWilliamis an actor, writer and producer[6]who has appeared in a recurring role as FBI agent Robert O'Connor onIn Plain Sight.

In 1987, McCormack graduated from theWardlaw-Hartridge SchoolinEdison,New Jersey. In 1991, she received her BA in comparative arts, specifically painting and creative writing, fromTrinity CollegeinHartford,Connecticut.[7]

Career[edit]

McCormack began her acting career at age 12, performing inGian Carlo Menotti'sChristmas operaAmahl and the Night Visitors.[8]She continued her stage work in musicals and finished an acting program at theWilliam Esper Studio.[3]She has worked inNew Yorktheater productions, including TheAtlantic Theater Company,Alice's 4th Floor, andNaked Angels,[1]where she appeared inJon Robin Baitz'sA Fair Country.[9]

McCormack portrayed Justine Appleton onMurder One(1995–1997)[3]and also starred in theHBOseriesK Street.[10]She starred inHoward Stern's moviePrivate Partsin 1997.[3]In 2004, McCormack joined the cast ofThe West WingasDeputy National Security Advisorand ex-CIAofficerKate Harper.Her character soon became a recurring role throughout the last three seasons.[11]

McCormack starred in theUSA NetworkseriesIn Plain Sight.She portrayed Mary Shannon, a deputy United States marshal attached to theAlbuquerque, New Mexico,office of the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC), more commonly known as theFederal Witness Protection Program.On July 28, 2010, the show was renewed for its fourth and fifth seasons, to run in 2011 and 2012.[12]The show was ended in 2011, making the fifth season its last.[13]After its end, McCormack was cast as the lead inKari Lizer's untitled comedy pilot onABC.[14]

McCormack was nominated for the 2008Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Playfor the role of Gretchen in the 2008Broadwayrevival ofBoeing Boeing.[15]

McCormack appeared seven times as a guest onThe Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.On her fourth visit in 2009, she gave the host,Craig Ferguson,a novelty coffee mug in the shape of arattlesnakefrom the gift shop of theAmerican International Rattlesnake MuseuminAlbuquerque.Ferguson promised to use this mug on all future shows and kept his promise.[16][17]After his last show, he donated the mug back to the museum.[18]

In 2012, McCormack reunited with the cast ofThe West Wingto film a video that served both as a reminder that U.S. voters should vote for nonpartisan candidates when they cast their ballots and as a video promoting McCormack's sister's ultimately successful judicial candidacy for the Michigan State Supreme Court.[19]

In October 2013, McCormack started filming scenes forThe Crash(previously titledA Conspiracy on Jekyll Island) alongsideFrank Grillo,AnnaSophia Robb,Minnie Driver,Dianna Agron,John Leguizamo,Ed Westwick,Christopher McDonaldandMaggie Q.[20]The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah and Aaron Becker.[21][22][23]The film had a direct-to-VODandlimited releaseon January 13, 2017, in North America.[24]

In 2016, McCormack played a supporting role in theAmazon.comexclusive specialAn American Girl Story – Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary ChristmasalongsideAlyvia Alyn Lind,who played the title character.[25]

In 2018, McCormack began starring in the ABC sitcomThe Kids Are Alrightas Catholic family matriarch Peggy Cleary. ABC canceled the series after one season.[26]

Personal life[edit]

In July 2003, McCormack married director and producerMichael Morris.[27]Together they have three children.[28]

McCormack and Morris are executive producers of the game show25 Words or Less,hosted byMeredith Vieira.McCormack is a frequent celebrity panelist on the show, as are fellow executive producersLisa KudrowandDan Bucatinsky.[29][30]

McCormack is the godmother ofIn Plain Sightco-starFred Weller's daughter.[31]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Miracle on 34th Street Myrna Foy
1995 Backfire! Sarah Jackson
1997 Colin Fitz Lives! Moira
1997 Private Parts Alison Stern
1997 Fathers' Day Virginia Farrell Uncredited
1997 The Alarmist Sally
1998 Deep Impact Andrea Baker
1998 Harvest Agent Becka Anslinger
1999 Getting to Know You Leila Lee
1999 True Crime Michelle Ziegler
1999 Mystery, Alaska Donna Biebe
1999 The Big Tease Monique
2000 Other Voices Anna
2000 The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy Anne
2000 Gun Shy Gloria Minetti-Nesstra
2000 East of A Daphne
2001 BigLove Phoebe Short film
2001 High Heels and Low Lifes Frances
2001 World Traveler Margaret
2001 K-PAX Rachel Powell
2002 Full Frontal Linda
2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Grace Finney
2005 Madison Bonnie McCormick
2006 Right at Your Door Lexi
2006 For Your Consideration Pilgrim Woman
2007 1408 Lily
2009 Streetcar Casting Director Short film
2012 Should've Been Romeo Ellen
2014 Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery Ms. Richards
2015 A Country Called Home Amanda
2016 An American Girl Story – Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas Kay Larkin
2017 The Crash Sarah Schwab
2017 Drone Ellen Wistin
2017 Alien Code Rebecca Stillman
2020 Unpregnant Debra Clarke
2025 Vicious TBA Post-production

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Law & Order Rickie Episode: "Doubles"
1995 The Wright Verdicts Beth Eckhart Episode: "Family Matters"
1995–1997 Murder One Justine Appleton Main role; 41 episodes
1997 Murder One: Diary of a Serial Killer Justine Appleton TV mini-series
2001 More, Patience Patience More TV movie
2002 Julie Lydecker Julie Lydecker TV movie
2003 K Street Maggie Morris Main role; 10 episodes
2003, 2006 ER Debbie Recurring role; 6 episodes
2004 Traffic Carole McKay TV mini-series
Nominated –Prism Award for Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries(2005)
2004–2006 The West Wing Kate Harper Recurring role (season 5); main role (seasons 6–7); 48 episodes
Nominated –Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series(2005, 2006)
2008 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon Episode: "Contract"
2008–2012 In Plain Sight Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon Lead role; 61 episodes
Nominated –Prism Award for Performance in a Drama Episode(2009)
2013 Welcome to the Family Caroline Yoder Main role; 5 episodes
2013 Escape from Polygamy Leann TV movie
2014 Scandal Lisa Elliot Episode: "The State of the Union"
2014 The Newsroom Molly 2 episodes
2015 House of Lies Denna Altshuler Recurring role; 7 episodes
2016 Divorce Kathy DeSantis Episode: "Weekend Plans"
2016–2017 Chelsea Herself Recurring role; 8 episodes
2016–2017 Angie Tribeca Abigail Liukin Recurring role; 3 episodes
2017 When We Rise Roberta Kaplan TV mini-series
2017 Loaded Casey Main role; 8 episodes
2018–present 25 Words or Less Herself Recurring guest, also executive producer
2018 Falling Water Taylor Bennett Recurring role; 8 episodes
2018–2019 Will & Grace Janet Adler 2 episodes
2018 For the People Chloe Daniels Episode: "The Library Fountain"
2018–2019 The Kids Are Alright Peggy Cleary Main role, 23 episodes
2019 Into the Dark Lilith Episode: "Treehouse"
2021–2023 Heels Willie Day Main role, 16 episodes[32][33]
As a producer
Year Title Notes
2010 In Plain Sight Episode: "Father Goes West"

Theater[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Cabaret Sally Bowles Replacement
2008 Boeing-Boeing Gretchen

References[edit]

  1. ^abc"Mary McCormack".TVGuide.com.Retrieved2014-03-11.
  2. ^"Mary McCormack Biography (1969-)".www.filmreference.com.Retrieved2023-12-27.
  3. ^abcdMichael A. Lipton (April 7, 1997)."Buddy Mary".People.com.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  4. ^Mike Householder (November 9, 2012)."GOP Holds on to Michigan Supreme Court Majority".Insurance Journal.RetrievedNovember 10,2012.
  5. ^"Bridget M. McCormack, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Clinical Professor of Law"Archived2012-09-24 at theWayback MachineBio at Michigan Law
  6. ^Frazier Moore (June 1, 2008)."'In Plain Sight': Mary McCormack relishes chance to play a character with flaws ".The Herald.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  7. ^"Trinity College Alumni Pages Class of 1991".Trinity College. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2012.RetrievedOctober 6,2012.
  8. ^"Mary McCormack talks to female soldiers at Memorial Day concert".Lansing State Journal.Retrieved2018-11-21.
  9. ^"Mary McCormack | National Memorial Day Concert | PBS".www.pbs.org.Retrieved2018-11-21.
  10. ^Andreeva, Nellie (2012-02-19)."Mary McCormack Set As The Lead In Kari Lizer's ABC Comedy Pilot".Deadline.Retrieved2019-04-25.
  11. ^James Hibberd (February 19, 2012)."'West Wing' actress to star in ABC comedy pilot ".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  12. ^Seidman, Robert (July 28, 2010)."'In Plain Sight' Renewed by USA for Two More Seasons ".TVbythenumbers.zap2it.com.Archived fromthe originalon August 1, 2010.RetrievedJuly 13,2011.
  13. ^James Hibberd (August 11, 2011)."USA cancels In Plain Sight".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  14. ^Vlada Gelman (February 19, 2012)."Mary McCormack Cast in ABC Comedy Pilot".TVLine.com.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  15. ^"The Tony Award Nominations".www.tonyawards.com.Retrieved2023-12-27.
  16. ^Yahr, Emily (2021-12-03)."A guide to Craig Ferguson's weirdest traditions you'll never see on late-night TV again after this year".Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.Retrieved2023-12-27.
  17. ^Mary McCormack – Mother Of The RattleSnake Mug – 7/7 Visitson Youtube
  18. ^zoochat.com
  19. ^Dawson Bell (September 20, 2012)."West Wing casts reunites for Bridget Mary McCormack".www.mccormackforjustice.com.RetrievedJune 20,2012.
  20. ^Kroll,Justin (29 October 2013)."'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.
  21. ^Kroll, Justin (29 October 2013)."'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
  22. ^Kroll, Justin (October 29, 2013)."'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.
  23. ^Kroll, Justin (December 2, 2013)."Mary McCormack Joins Ensemble 'Conspiracy on Jekyll Island'".Variety.
  24. ^"Frank Grillo Tries To Stop An Economic Cyber Attack In Trailer For 'The Crash'".13 December 2016.
  25. ^"This American Girl Christmas Special Trailer Will Warm Your Heart — Exclusive".EW.com.Retrieved2023-12-27.
  26. ^Mason, Charlie (May 10, 2019)."The Kids Are Alright Cancelled at ABC".TVLine.Archivedfrom the original on May 10, 2019.RetrievedMay 10,2019.
  27. ^Jordan, Julie (April 22, 2011)."Mary McCormack Expecting Third Child".People.
  28. ^Jordan, Julie (September 11, 2011)."Mary McCormack Welcomes a Daughter".People.RetrievedDecember 1,2020.
  29. ^Andreeva, Nellie (2018-07-11)."Meredith Vieira To Host '25 Words or Less' Game Show For Summer Run On Fox TV Stations".Deadline.Retrieved2023-12-27.
  30. ^"'25 Words or Less' host Meredith Vieira: I'm done with morning TV ".2019-09-13.Retrieved2023-12-27.
  31. ^Brian Gallagher (June 1, 2008)."Mary McCormack and Frederick Weller Dish onIn Plain Sight".Movieweb.RetrievedJanuary 28,2012.
  32. ^Petski, Denise (January 27, 2020)."'Heels': Kelli Berglund Joins Starz's Wrestling Drama Series ".Deadline Hollywood.
  33. ^"Independent Wrestling Drama 'Heels' Sets Series Debut Date on Starz".May 3, 2021.

External links[edit]

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