Dana Delany facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dana Delany
Delany at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009
Born	(1956-03-13) March 13, 1956 (age 69) New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	Wesleyan University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1974–present
Known for	China Beach Desperate Housewives Body of Proof

Dana Delany (born March 13, 1956) is an American actress famous for her roles in television, movies, and as a voice actor. She became well-known for playing Colleen McMurphy in the TV drama China Beach from 1988 to 1991. This role won her two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Delany has also appeared in many popular films, including Tombstone (1993), Fly Away Home (1996), and Wide Awake (1998). Many people also know her as the voice of Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series and the Justice League cartoons. She has voiced Lois Lane for over 17 years, longer than any other actress.

Later in her career, she starred as Katherine Mayfair in the hit series Desperate Housewives from 2007 to 2010. She then played Dr. Megan Hunt in the medical drama Body of Proof from 2011 to 2013.

Early Life and Education

Dana Delany was born in New York City. Her mother was an interior designer, and her father was the CEO of a plumbing company. She has a sister named Corey and a brother named Sean. Growing up, she was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

From a young age, Delany knew she wanted to be an actress. She loved going to Broadway shows and was fascinated by movies. She grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, and for her senior year of high school, she attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. There, she starred as Nellie Forbush in the school's musical production of South Pacific.

After graduating in 1974, she went to Wesleyan University and majored in theater. During this time, she sometimes struggled with unhealthy eating habits. She graduated in 1978 and moved back to New York City to start her acting career.

Acting Career

Starting on Stage and TV

After college, Delany began her career in New York City. She acted in daytime soap operas like Love of Life and As the World Turns. She also appeared in a Broadway play called A Life. She received praise for her role in an off-Broadway play called Blood Moon.

Soon, Delany moved to Hollywood to find more acting jobs. She appeared as a guest star on popular TV shows like Moonlighting and Magnum, P.I..

Breakthrough with China Beach

Delany's big break came when she was cast as Army nurse Colleen McMurphy in the TV series China Beach. The show, which aired from 1988 to 1991, was about the Vietnam War. Her performance was a huge success. She won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and was nominated for two more. The role made her a well-known star.

Movie Roles and Voice Acting in the 1990s

Delany at the 44th Primetime Emmy Awards, holding the award she won in 1992.

In 1991, People magazine named Delany one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. Throughout the 1990s, she starred in many movies and TV shows. Her film roles included Light Sleeper (1992), Housesitter (1992), and Fly Away Home (1996).

One of her most famous movie roles was in the western Tombstone (1993). She played Josephine Marcus, the love interest of lawman Wyatt Earp, who was played by Kurt Russell. She also starred as the nurse and activist Margaret Sanger in the TV movie Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story (1995).

In 1998, Delany was offered the lead role of Carrie Bradshaw in the TV show ... and the City. She turned it down, and the part later made Sarah Jessica Parker famous.

During this time, Delany also became a successful voice actress. She voiced Andrea Beaumont in the animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993). Her most famous voice role is Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series. She continued to voice Lois in other shows like Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.

Success in the 2000s and Desperate Housewives

Delany, Teri Hatcher, Brenda Strong, and Andrea Bowen at the 20th GLAAD Media Awards in 2009.

In the 2000s, Delany starred in several TV series, including Pasadena (2001) and Kidnapped (2006–2007). She also appeared as a guest star on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Boston Legal.

In 2007, she joined the cast of the popular ABC series Desperate Housewives. She played Katherine Mayfair, a mysterious new neighbor on Wisteria Lane. She was originally offered a different main role when the show first started but had turned it down. Her performance as Katherine was praised by critics, and she remained on the show until 2010.

Recent Work

After leaving Desperate Housewives, Delany starred in her own TV series, Body of Proof, from 2011 to 2013. She played Dr. Megan Hunt, a brilliant medical examiner who solves crimes by studying bodies.

Delany has continued to work in television and film. She starred in the Amazon Prime series Hand of God from 2014 to 2017. More recently, she had a main role in the series Tulsa King starting in 2022. She has also continued her voice work, returning as Lois Lane in the 2013 animated movie Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox.

Selected Filmography

Delany at the 43rd Primetime Emmy Awards in 1991

Delany in 2010

Here are some of Dana Delany's most well-known roles in movies and television.

Awards and Recognition

Delany at the 41st Primetime Emmy Awards, holding the award she won in 1989.

Dana Delany has won several awards for her acting. Here are some of her major wins and nominations.

See also

In Spanish: Dana Delany para niños