Mary McDonnell was reknowned for her stage work on the East Coast, working with the Long Wharf Theatre Co., amongst others. It wasn't until 20 years after working on the theatre stage that she had her break through role in Costner's "Dances With Wolves." She has since received two academy award nominations.
Has taught acting classes with her husband, even after being nominated for an Academy Award... Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1990" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 42. Two children: Olivia and Michael Attended Fredonia State University. Was a cast member of the medical drama E/R and also has a recurring role on the hit 90s show of nearly the same name, ER. Moved to Los Angeles as an adult with her husband and daughter Though born in Pennsylvania, she was raised in Ithaca, New York. Plays the First Lady during a devastating attack by aliens in "Independence Day", and the President during the same circumstances in "Battlestar Galactica". She has appeared in four films with Alfre Woodard: Grand Canyon (1991), Passion Fish (1992), Blue Chips (1994), and Mumford (1999). Has been a huge fan of Vanessa Redgrave since the seventies.