This charismatic, stage-trained player is so convincing as the dedicated but difficult Dr. Weaver on
ER, it's hard to imagine her in other roles, let alone in real life. But rest assured, Innes — who has two children with her actor husband, David Brisbin — isn't such a hard-ass off screen. Although she was still in college when she made her film debut in
The Fury, Innes spent the next decade in Chicago theater. After moving to Hollywood, she did guest spots and small parts in TV-movies before landing a recurring role as Thomas Hayden Church's sex-crazed ex-wife in
Wings. In 1995, Innes signed on to
ER for 14 episodes, and her deeply flawed character proved so popular she became a regular during the medical drama's third season. Over the years, her TV alter ago grappled with a physical handicap and her sexual orientation, and continually locked horns with her colleagues, often due to her own shady behavior. Innes earned two Emmy nods for her on-camera work and, after launching a concurrent career as a small-screen director, also picked up a nomination for helming an episode of
The West Wing.
Laura Innes Fast Facts:
- Originally auditioned for ER in 1994 as one of George Clooney's girlfriends.
- Directed episodes of ER and was nominated for an Emmy for directing an episode of The West Wing.
- Was the first female celebrity to become a champion on Jeopardy!.
- Close friends with college classmate Megan Mullally.
- Laura Innes Relationships:
- Cal - Son
- David Brisbin - Husband
- Kathy Innes - Sister
- Laurette Innes - Mother
- Mia - Daughter
- Robert Innes - Father
- Laura Innes Awards:
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- College:
- Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (BA in Communication, 1979)
