Mary McCormack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary McCormack
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![]() McCormack in 2022
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Born |
Mary Catherine McCormack
February 8, 1969 Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
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Citizenship | American |
Education | Trinity College (BA) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1994–present |
Spouse(s) |
Michael Morris
(m. 2003) |
Children | 3 |
Relatives | Bridget Mary McCormack (sister) Will McCormack (brother) |
Mary Catherine McCormack (born February 8, 1969) is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows and movies.
You might know her as Justine Appleton in the series Murder One (1995–1997). She also played Deputy National Security Adviser Kate Harper on The West Wing (2004–2006). Later, she starred as Deputy U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon on In Plain Sight (2008–2012). More recently, she was Peggy on the comedy series The Kids Are Alright (2018–2019).
Mary McCormack has also appeared in many films. Some of her movie roles include Private Parts (1997), Deep Impact (1998), and 1408 (2007).
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Early Life and Family
Mary McCormack was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. Her mother, Norah, was a therapist. Her father, William, owned a car dealership and an ice cream shop.
Mary has two siblings who are also well-known. Her sister, Bridget, is a very important judge. She is the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Her brother, William, is an actor, writer, and producer. He even appeared with Mary in the show In Plain Sight.
Mary graduated from the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in New Jersey in 1987. She then went to Trinity College in Connecticut. In 1991, she earned a degree in comparative arts. She studied painting and creative writing.
Acting Career Highlights
Mary McCormack started acting when she was just 12 years old. Her first performance was in a Christmas opera called Amahl and the Night Visitors. She continued to perform in musicals and studied acting. She worked in many theater productions in New York.
Early TV and Film Roles
From 1995 to 1997, Mary played Justine Appleton on the TV show Murder One. She also starred in the HBO series K Street. In 1997, she appeared in the movie Private Parts, which was about radio host Howard Stern.
Joining The West Wing
In 2004, Mary joined the cast of the popular show The West Wing. She played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper. Her character was a former CIA officer. Kate Harper became a regular part of the show for its last three seasons.
Starring in In Plain Sight
Mary McCormack took on a lead role in the USA Network series In Plain Sight. She played Mary Shannon, a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Her job was to protect people in the Federal Witness Protection Program. This program helps keep witnesses safe. The show ran for five seasons, ending in 2012.
Broadway and Other Appearances
In 2008, Mary was nominated for a Tony Award. This is a very important award for theater actors. She was recognized for her role as Gretchen in the Broadway play Boeing Boeing.
Mary also appeared many times as a guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. She even gave the host, Craig Ferguson, a special rattlesnake coffee mug. He promised to use it on all his future shows, and he did!
Recent Projects
In 2013, Mary started filming a movie called The Crash. It was released in 2017. In 2016, she had a supporting role in a special called An American Girl Story – Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas.
From 2018 to 2019, Mary starred in the ABC sitcom The Kids Are Alright. She played Peggy Cleary, the mother of a Catholic family. More recently, in 2021, she began starring in the Starz drama Heels. In this show, she plays Willie Day, a business partner to the main character.
Personal Life
In July 2003, Mary McCormack married Michael Morris. He is a director and producer. They have three children together.
Mary and Michael are also executive producers for a game show called 25 Words or Less. The show is hosted by Meredith Vieira. Mary often appears on the show as a celebrity panelist.
Mary McCormack is also the godmother to her In Plain Sight co-star Fred Weller's daughter.
Selected Film Roles
Mary McCormack has appeared in many films throughout her career. Here are some of her notable movie roles:
- Miracle on 34th Street (1994) as Myrna Foy
- Private Parts (1997) as Alison Stern
- Deep Impact (1998) as Andrea Baker
- True Crime (1999) as Michelle Ziegler
- Mystery, Alaska (1999) as Donna Biebe
- K-PAX (2001) as Rachel Powell
- 1408 (2007) as Lily
- The Crash (2017) as Sarah Schwab
- Unpregnant (2020) as Debra Clarke
Selected Television Roles
Mary McCormack has also had many important roles on television. Here are some of her key TV appearances:
- Law & Order (1994) in the episode "Doubles"
- Murder One (1995–1997) as Justine Appleton
- ER (2003, 2006) as Debbie
- The West Wing (2004–2006) as Kate Harper
- In Plain Sight (2008–2012) as Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon
- Scandal (2014) in the episode "The State of the Union"
- The Kids Are Alright (2018–2019) as Peggy Cleary
- Heels (2021–2023) as Willie Day
Theater Performances
Mary McCormack has also performed on stage in plays and musicals.
- Cabaret (1999) as Sally Bowles
- Boeing-Boeing (2008) as Gretchen
See also
In Spanish: Mary McCormack para niños