Jill Eikenberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jill Eikenberry
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Eikenberry in 1989
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| Born |
Jill Susan Eikenberry
January 21, 1947 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S
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| Education | Columbia University Yale University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Michael Tucker
(m. 1973) |
| Children | 1 |
Jill Susan Eikenberry (born January 21, 1947) is an American actress who has appeared in movies, television shows, and stage plays. She is most famous for her role as the lawyer Ann Kelsey in the popular 1980s and 90s TV show L.A. Law.
Her performance in L.A. Law was highly praised. She was nominated for five Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. In 1989, she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series. She has also acted in movies like Arthur (1981) and The Manhattan Project (1986).
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Early Life and Education
Jill Eikenberry was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She grew up in several cities, including Madison, Wisconsin, and Kansas City, Missouri.
She first went to Barnard College at Columbia University to study anthropology, which is the study of human cultures. However, she discovered a passion for acting. In her second year, she auditioned for the famous Yale School of Drama and was accepted.
Acting Career
Stage and Early Roles
Eikenberry began her acting career in the theater. In 1970, she met her future husband, actor Michael Tucker, while they were in a play together at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. They married in 1973 and moved to New York City.
Throughout the 1970s, Eikenberry focused on stage work. She appeared in plays on Broadway and Off-Broadway, which are smaller theaters in New York. She also had small parts in movies, including Between the Lines (1977) and An Unmarried Woman (1978). In 1981, she had a role in the hit comedy movie Arthur, starring Dudley Moore.
Fame with L.A. Law
In 1986, Eikenberry and her husband, Michael Tucker, both got major roles in the TV series L.A. Law. The show was about a group of lawyers in Los Angeles and became a huge hit. Eikenberry played Ann Kelsey, a smart and determined lawyer, for the show's entire run from 1986 to 1994.
Her role in L.A. Law made her a star. She received many award nominations for her performance, including a Golden Globe Award win in 1989. The show's success allowed her and Tucker to produce their own TV movies, where they often acted together.
Overcoming Challenges
During her time on L.A. Law, Eikenberry faced a personal health challenge. She was diagnosed with breast cancer but was successfully treated.
This experience was very important in her life. In 1989, she helped produce a TV documentary called Destined to Live. The program featured interviews with other cancer survivors. She has since become an activist, working to support breast cancer research and awareness.
Later Career and Personal Life
After L.A. Law ended in 1994, Eikenberry continued to act, though less frequently. She has appeared in TV shows like Law & Order and Body of Proof. She also played mothers in movies such as Something Borrowed (2011) and Young Adult (2011).
In 2022, she returned to her famous role as Ann Kelsey for a new pilot episode of L.A. Law.
Eikenberry and her husband have written songs together. They currently divide their time between their homes in New York and Umbria, a region in Italy. They have a son named Max.
