Virginia Madsen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Virginia Madsen
Madsen in 2012
Born	(1961-09-11) September 11, 1961 (age 63) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	New Trier High School
Occupation	Actress producer
Years active	1983–present
Spouse(s)	Danny Huston ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 1992)​ Nick Holmes ​ (m. 2020)​
Partner(s)	Antonio Sabàto Jr. (1993–1998)
Children	1
Parent(s)	Elaine Madsen (mother)
Relatives	Michael Madsen (brother) Christian Madsen (nephew)

Virginia Madsen (born September 11, 1961) is an American actress. She has won several awards for her acting. These include two Critics' Choice Awards and an Independent Spirit Award. She was also nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award.

Madsen started her film career in 1983 in the movie Class. Her big break came in 1984 when she played Princess Irulan in the film Dune. She later gained praise for her role as Helen Lyle in the horror film Candyman (1992). She also appeared in The Prophecy (1995) and The Rainmaker (1997). In 2004, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Sideways. Other movies she has been in include A Prairie Home Companion (2006) and The Haunting in Connecticut (2009).

On television, Madsen has had roles in shows like Moonlighting, Frasier, and Monk. She also appeared in Witches of East End and Designated Survivor. Virginia Madsen is married and has one child.

Early Life and Education

Virginia Gayle Madsen was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother, Elaine Madsen, is an award-winning filmmaker and author. Her father, Calvin Christian Madsen, was a firefighter. Virginia's parents divorced when she was young.

Her brother, Michael Madsen, is also an actor. Virginia Madsen went to New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. She also studied acting at the Ted Liss Acting Studio in Chicago. She always wanted to be a professional actress.

Acting Career Highlights

Early Film Roles

Madsen started acting in movies at age 22. Her first role was Lisa in the romantic comedy Class (1983). She also appeared in a music video for Kenny Loggins' song "I'm Free."

In 1984, she played Madeline in the science fiction comedy Electric Dreams. That same year, she was cast as Princess Irulan in the big science fiction movie Dune. In 1985, she starred in Creator with Peter O'Toole.

Madsen at the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival

Virginia Madsen became well-known in 1986. She played a Catholic school girl in Fire with Fire. She also played Dixie Lee Boxx in the TV movie Long Gone (1987). She appeared in Cher's music video for "I Found Someone" in 1987.

Madsen also played strong female characters in films. These included Slam Dance (1987) and The Hot Spot (1990). In 1992, she starred as Helen Lyle in the horror film Candyman. This movie was very popular and received good reviews.

She had a small but important role in The Rainmaker. Film critic Roger Ebert praised her performance in the movie.

Later Film Success

Madsen received great reviews for her role in Sideways (2004). This movie helped her become a top actress in Hollywood.

After Sideways, she starred with Harrison Ford in Firewall (2006). She also appeared in Robert Altman's A Prairie Home Companion. She worked with Jim Carrey in The Number 23 (2007). She also voiced Queen Hippolyta in the animated movie Wonder Woman.

Television Roles

In 1988, Madsen appeared in the TV series Moonlighting. She has been in many other TV shows since then. These include Star Trek: Voyager, CSI: Miami, and Frasier.

She was also a co-host for the show Unsolved Mysteries in 1999. In 2009, she had a role in the show Monk. In 2010, she starred in the series Scoundrels. She also joined the cast of The Event in 2010.

In 2012, she appeared in the western drama Hell on Wheels. From 2013 to 2014, Madsen played Penelope Gardiner in Witches of East End. She also played Kimble Hookstraten in the political drama Designated Survivor.

Producer Work

In 2008, Virginia Madsen started her own film company. It is called Title IX Productions. Her first project was a documentary film with her mother. The film is called I Know a Woman Like That. It is about the lives of older women. Madsen said her mother's active life inspired the film.

Personal Life

Virginia Madsen was married to actor and director Danny Huston. They met while working on the movie Mr. North (1988). They were married from 1989 to 1992. Madsen also had a long relationship with Antonio Sabàto Jr.. They have one son together.

Since 2020, Madsen has been married to actor Nick Holmes.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Documentary

Podcasts

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Virginia Madsen para niños