Mary Eileen McDonnell (born April 28, 1952) is an American actress with a long career on film, stage and television. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Career overview
McDonnell began as a stage performer and later moved into movies and television. Her work ranges from daytime drama to major feature films and leading roles in primetime series. She is known for bringing depth to supporting parts as well as to principal characters.
Notable roles
- Early television: she appeared as Claudia on the soap opera As the World Turns.
- Feature films: she played Liz in the 1992 thriller Sneakers and had high-profile parts in films such as Dances with Wolves and Passion Fish.
- Television drama: she is widely recognised for portraying President Laura Roslin on the reimagined Battlestar Galactica and Captain Sharon Raydor on the police series Major Crimes.
Awards and recognition
Her film performances earned critical attention; she received Academy Award nominations for her work in the early 1990s. Critics and viewers have also praised her stage work and television portrayals, which contributed to a steady, well-regarded career across multiple media.
Selected filmography (examples)
- Dances with Wolves (feature film)
- Passion Fish (feature film)
- Sneakers (1992)
- As the World Turns (television)
- Battlestar Galactica (television)
- Major Crimes (television)