Mare Winningham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mare Winningham
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Winningham in 2012
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| Born |
Mary Megan Winningham
May 16, 1959 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1976–present |
| Spouse(s) |
William Mapel
(divorced)Jason Trucco
(divorced)Anthony Edwards
(m. 2021) |
| Children | 5 |
| Musical career | |
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Mary Megan Winningham, who is known as Mare Winningham, is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She is famous for her work in movies, television, and on stage.
Over her long career, she has won two Primetime Emmy Awards. She has also been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Tony Awards.
Winningham is known for her roles in many popular films and TV shows. These include St. Elmo's Fire (1985), Turner & Hooch (1989), and The War (1994). She also appeared in four seasons of the TV series American Horror Story.
Besides acting, Winningham is a talented musician. She has released several albums in the folk and bluegrass styles.
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Early Life and Education
Mare Winningham was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but she grew up in Northridge, California. Her father, Sam, was a college athletic director and football coach. Her mother, Marilyn, was an English teacher and college counselor.
Her interest in acting started when she was about five years old. She saw an interview with Kym Karath, the actress who played Gretl in The Sound of Music.
In elementary school, she loved drama and playing the guitar and drums. She continued to study drama in junior high and during summer workshops. It was during this time that she started going by the nickname "Mare."
For high school, she attended Chatsworth High School. In her senior year, she starred as Maria in a school production of The Sound of Music. Her classmate, future actor Kevin Spacey, played Captain Von Trapp. She graduated in 1977 as a co-valedictorian, an award for students with the highest grades, alongside Spacey.
Career in Acting and Music
Getting Started in Hollywood
Winningham started her career as a singer-songwriter. In 1976, she appeared on the TV talent show The Gong Show, where she sang the Beatles song "Here, There and Everywhere".
This appearance led to an acting contract. She soon got small parts in TV shows like Police Woman and Starsky and Hutch. Her first major role was in the 1980 TV movie Amber Waves. For her performance, she won her first Emmy Award.
Film and Television Success
In the 1980s, Winningham became more famous. She starred in the popular movie St. Elmo's Fire (1985) with other young actors known as the "Brat Pack".
She also acted in the disaster movie Miracle Mile (1988) and the comedy Turner & Hooch (1989) with Tom Hanks.
In the 1990s, she acted in big movies like Wyatt Earp (1994) and The War (1994), both starring Kevin Costner.
Her role in the 1995 film Georgia earned her a nomination for an Academy Award. In 1997, she won her second Emmy Award for the TV film George Wallace.
Recent Roles
Winningham has continued to act in many TV shows. She had a recurring role on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy as Susan Grey. She also appeared in four different seasons of American Horror Story: Coven, Freak Show, Hotel, and Cult.
She has also performed on stage in New York City. In 2014, she was nominated for a Tony Award, which is a top award for theater acting. In 2022, she received a second Tony nomination for her role in the musical Girl from the North Country.
Music Career
Winningham has always balanced her acting with her love for music. She has recorded four albums. Her music is often a mix of folk, country, and bluegrass.
Her albums include:
- What Might Be (1992)
- Lonesomers (1997)
- Refuge Rock Sublime (2007)
- What's Left Behind (2014)
Her 2007 album, Refuge Rock Sublime, includes songs about her conversion to the Jewish faith.
Personal Life
Winningham has been married four times. She has five children from her second marriage to William Mapel. Her oldest son, Riley, passed away in 2005. Her other children are named Patrick, Jack, Calla, and Happy.
In late 2021, she married actor Anthony Edwards. The two have been friends for many years.
Winningham was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. As an adult, she chose to convert to Judaism.
Filmography
Discography
- What Might Be (1992)
- Georgia: Original Soundtrack (1995)
- Lonesomers (1997)
- Refuge Rock Sublime (2007)
- What's Left Behind (2014)
Awards and Nominations
See also
In Spanish: Mare Winningham para niños
