Marcia Cross

Last updated

Marcia Cross
Life Ball 2014 red carpet 080 Marcia Cross.jpg
Cross in 2014
Born (1962-03-25) March 25, 1962 (age 62)
Education
OccupationActress
Years active1984–present
Spouse
Tom Mahoney
(m. 2006)
Partner Richard Jordan (1985–1993; his death)
Children2

Marcia Cross (born March 25, 1962) [1] is an American actress. She acted in daytime soap operas such as The Edge of Night , Another World , and One Life to Live before moving to primetime television with a recurring role on Knots Landing . From 1992 to 1997, she starred as Kimberly Shaw on Melrose Place . Cross played the role of the housewife Bree Van de Kamp on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), for which she was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She had a recurring role as President Claire Haas on the ABC series Quantico . [2]

Contents

Early life

Cross was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and she is of English and Irish descent. She is one of three daughters of Janet, a teacher, and Mark J Cross, a personnel manager. [3] Cross was raised Catholic. [4] She graduated from Marlborough High School in 1980 and received a half-scholarship to Juilliard. [5] She completed college in 1984 earning a B.F.A. in Acting. [6] Cross returned to school in 1997 receiving a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles in 2003. [3]

Career

Cross began her television career in 1984 on the soap opera The Edge of Night , playing the recurring role of Liz Correll. Afterwards, she relocated from New York to Los Angeles, and soon landed roles in television movies such as The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James , co-starring with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. [7] In 1986, she joined the cast of the daytime soap opera One Life to Live , where she played the role of Kate Sanders, until 1987. She followed this with guest roles on primetime shows such as Who's the Boss? , Quantum Leap , Knots Landing and Cheers .[ citation needed ]

In 1992, Cross was cast as Dr. Kimberly Shaw in the primetime soap opera Melrose Place . She left in the fifth season. She also appeared in sitcoms such as Seinfeld , Boy Meets World , Ally McBeal , Spin City and The King of Queens . Her dramatic roles include appearances on CSI , Strong Medicine , Profiler and Touched by an Angel . [8] Her film credits include Bad Influence (1990), Always Say Goodbye (1996), Just Peck (2009) and Bringing Up Bobby (2011). In 2003, Cross spent a season co-starring as Linda Abbott on the TV series Everwood . [8]

In 2004, Cross starred in the role of Bree Van de Kamp in Desperate Housewives . The show was one of the breakout hits of the 2004–2005 television season, and Cross was nominated for several awards for her role, including an Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards (winning two with cast). She also received a Satellite Award for her performance in the show's second season. The series ran for eight seasons until 2012. In 2014, after two years on hiatus, Cross co-starred as the lead character's mother in the unsuccessful comedy pilot Fatrick. [9] In 2015, Cross guest-starred in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit , and later she joined the cast of the thriller series Quantico , playing the recurring role of President Claire Haas, a former Democratic vice presidential nominee. [2]

Personal life

As a child, Cross showed an early interest in performing. She took piano and dance lessons at the Ceil Sharon School of Dance, and was her high school's mascot at school games. [10] Her first acting role was in grade school, in a play called The Witch of Blackbird Pond. [10]

Relationships

Cross was the long-time companion of actor Richard Jordan, who was 25 years her senior; Jordan died from a brain tumor in 1993. In 2006, she married stockbroker Tom Mahoney. [11] Cross underwent in vitro fertilization soon after their wedding, [12] and gave birth to fraternal twin daughters in February 2007, shortly before her 45th birthday. [13] [14]

Activism

In September 2018, Cross revealed she had been in remission for eight months after receiving treatment for anal cancer. [15] She explained months later that she had decided to "put a dent in the stigma" [16] because she had discovered through online research that anal cancer patients were embarrassed about their diagnosis. [17] "I found myself in a position where nobody wants this job. Nobody wants to come forward. And I knew that people were suffering and people were ashamed," she said at the 2019 The Atlantic's People v. Cancer event. [18] She advocates for open discussions and further public information about the HPV infection, [17] which can cause cancers of the anus, cervix, ovary, penis, and throat: [19] "In spite of the optics, I care deeply about saving lives. To that end, the important thing to do is educate the public about HPV." [20]

Cross expressed support for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war, citing the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, including on healthcare facilities. [21] In an Instagram post, she stated: "I'm struggling to comprehend how to live among people with eyes that don't water, hearts that don't flinch, and voices that remain silent. There are no words for the horror that has and is being unleashed. And the silence has me believing I am deaf." [22]

Filmography

Related Research Articles

<i>Melrose Place</i> American prime-time soap opera (1992–1999)

Melrose Place is an American prime-time television soap opera that aired on Fox from July 8, 1992, to May 24, 1999, for seven seasons. The show follows the lives of a group of young adults living in an apartment complex on Melrose Place, in West Hollywood, California. The show was created by Darren Star for Fox and executive produced by Aaron Spelling for his company, Spelling Television. It was the second series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. Season one and season two were broadcast on Wednesday at 9 pm, after Beverly Hills, 90210. In 1994, for its third season and for the rest of its run, the show moved to Monday at 8 p.m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teri Hatcher</span> American actress (born 1964)

Teri Lynn Hatcher is an American actress and singer best known for her portrayals of Lois Lane on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997), Paris Carver in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Mel Jones and the Beldam in Coraline (2009) and Susan Mayer on the television series Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dixie Carter</span> American actress (1939–2010)

Dixie Virginia Carter was an American actress. She starred as Julia Sugarbaker on the sitcom Designing Women (1986–1993) and as Randi King on the drama series Family Law (1999–2002). She was nominated for the 2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Gloria Hodge on Desperate Housewives (2006–2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Savant</span> American film and television actor

Douglas Peter Savant is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Matt Fielding in the Fox prime time soap opera Melrose Place (1992–97), Tom Scavo in ABC comedy-drama Desperate Housewives (2004–12), and as Sgt. O'Neal in Godzilla (1998).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Gray</span> American actress (born 1940)

Linda Ann Gray is an American film, stage and television actress, director, producer and former model, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing, the long-suffering wife of Larry Hagman's character J.R. Ewing on the CBS television drama series Dallas. The role also earned her a nomination for the 1981 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series as well as two Golden Globe Awards nominations.

Desperate Housewives is an American comedy drama mystery television series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired for eight seasons on ABC from October 3, 2004, until May 13, 2012, for a total of 180 episodes. Executive producer Marc Cherry served as showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season included Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, David Grossman, and Larry Shaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuc Watkins</span> American actor

Charles Curtis "Tuc" Watkins III is an American actor, known for his roles as David Vickers on One Life to Live, Mr. Burns in The Mummy, Bob Hunter on Desperate Housewives, Congressman Roger Harris on Black Monday, Hank in The Boys in the Band, Troy on The Other Two, and Colin McKenna on Uncoupled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brenda Strong</span> American actress (born 1960)

Brenda Lee Strong is an American actress. She began her career in television, including guest starring appearances in Twin Peaks, Party of Five, Seinfeld, Scandal, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Blossom and Sports Night. She was a regular cast member in the series Desperate Housewives (2004–2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrika Darbo</span> American actress

Patrika Darbo is an American actress. She made her big screen debut appearing in the 1988 romantic comedy film It Takes Two and later appeared in The 'Burbs (1989), Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will? (1990), Spaced Invaders (1990), Leaving Normal (1992), In the Line of Fire (1993) and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997). Darbo played Roseanne Barr in the 1994 biographical television film Roseanne & Tom: Behind the Scenes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gail O'Grady</span> American actress (born 1963)

Gail Ann O'Grady is an American actress and producer, best known for her roles on television. Her roles include Donna Abandando in the ABC police drama NYPD Blue, and Helen Pryor in the NBC drama series American Dreams. O'Grady is also well known for her lead roles in a number of television movies. She has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award three times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathryn Joosten</span> American actress (1939–2012)

Kathryn Joosten was an American actress. Her best known roles include Dolores Landingham on NBC's The West Wing from 1999 to 2002 and Karen McCluskey on ABC's Desperate Housewives from 2005 to 2012, for which she won two Primetime Emmy Awards in 2005 and 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Lawrence</span> American actress (born 1961)

Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence is an American actress. From 1993 to 1999, she starred as Sylvia Costas in the ABC drama series, NYPD Blue. The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She received three additional Emmy Awards nominations for her later television performances.

Pilot (<i>Desperate Housewives</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Desperate Housewives

"Pilot" is the first episode of the American dramedy-mystery series Desperate Housewives. It premiered on October 3, 2004, on the ABC network. It was written by series creator Marc Cherry and directed by Charles McDougall. The pilot introduces the residents of the suburban neighborhood of Wisteria Lane. Following the suicide of an outwardly successful neighbor, her friends begin to deal with the problems in their personal lives. Susan Mayer competes for the attention of a new plumber who has moved across the street; Bree Van de Kamp struggles with her failing marriage and ungrateful family; Gabrielle Solis continues an affair with her sixteen-year-old gardener; and Lynette Scavo copes with life as a stay-at-home mother of four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valerie Mahaffey</span> American actress (born 1953)

Valerie Mahaffey is an American character actress and producer. She began her career starring in the NBC daytime soap opera The Doctors (1979–81), for which in 1980 she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Deborah Adair is an American television actress, primarily known for her roles in soap operas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonya Eddy</span> American actress (1967–2022)

Sonya Eddy was an American actress. She was best known for playing Epiphany Johnson in the American ABC soap opera General Hospital (2006—2022) for which she won a posthumous Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2023.

"Now You Know" is the fourth season premiere episode of the American comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives, and the 71st episode overall. The episode premiered on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 30, 2007. It was written by series creator Marc Cherry and directed by Larry Shaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicollette Sheridan</span> British-American actress

Nicollette Sheridan is a British-born American actress. She began her career as a fashion model before landing a role in the short-lived ABC primetime soap opera Paper Dolls in 1984, as well as starring in the romantic comedy film The Sure Thing (1985). She rose to prominence as Paige Matheson on the CBS primetime soap opera Knots Landing (1986–1993), for which she received two Soap Opera Digest Awards. Thereafter, Sheridan appeared in lead roles in numerous television films and miniseries, including Lucky Chances (1990), Virus (1995), and The People Next Door (1996). She also appeared in the feature films Noises Off (1992), Spy Hard (1996), Beverly Hills Ninja (1997), and Code Name: The Cleaner (2007).

References

  1. Celebrity birthdays for the week of March 19-25
  2. 1 2 "Marcia Cross Tapped For 'Quantico' Role". Deadline. November 6, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Reed, J.D. (December 15, 2003). "Health Change: Melrose Place Alum Marcia Cross Trades Bad Medicine for Good on Everwood". People. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  4. Keck, William (April 14, 2005). "A soapy coming-out party". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010. Cross, who was raised Catholic...
  5. Goudas, John N. (April 17, 1987). "Marcia Cross' Parents Thought She'd Outgrow Acting Bug". Schenectady Gazette. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  6. Slewinski, Christy (April 11, 1996). "Just Another Manic Sunday, With The Madwoman Of 'MP'". Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  7. ""Desperate housewives" – så gick det". Expressen (in Swedish). September 23, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Marcia Cross- Biography, Yahoo! Movies
  9. "Marcia Cross Makes TV Return with Starring Role in Fox Comedy Pilot 'Fatrick'". Deadline. December 19, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Jane Keller Gordon (February 1, 2021). "Marcia Cross recalls her Marlborough childhood". Fifty Plus Advocate. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021.
  11. Wihlborg, Ulrica (June 24, 2006). "Marcia Cross Gets Married". People magazine.
  12. Tauber, Michelle (April 11, 2007). "Marcia Cross Talks About Motherhood". People. Archived from the original on March 29, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  13. Gee, Alison. "Marcia Cross Welcomes Twin Girls" Archived March 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine People. February 21, 2007.
  14. "Us Exclusive: Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross Gets Married". Usmagazine.com. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  15. "Desperate Housewives actress Marcia Cross has been battling cancer in secret". Metro. September 17, 2018.
  16. "Marcia Cross Is Sharing Her Anal Cancer Story in the Hopes of Ending the 'Stigma'". People. March 27, 2019.
  17. 1 2 Lisa Respers France (June 6, 2019). "Marcia Cross says her colon cancer is linked to HPV and husband's throat cancer". CNN. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  18. "Marcia Cross on Why She Spoke Out About Anal Cancer: 'People Were Suffering and Ashamed'". People.
  19. Nedelman, Michael (June 7, 2019). "Actress shines light on HPV's link to anal cancers". CNN.
  20. "Marcia Cross Says She's 'Grateful to Be Alive' to Watch Her Twins' Graduation After Anal Cancer". People. June 9, 2019.
  21. "US actress calls for ceasefire, condemns bombing Gaza hospitals". Wafa . November 15, 2023.
  22. "Desperate Housewives actress says silence on Palestine 'made her feel deaf'". Al Jazeera . Retrieved February 14, 2024.