After graduating from the classical-acting program at Juilliard, Cross alternated between stage and small-screen parts before hitting it big as a psychotic doctor on the campy '90s prime-time soap
Melrose Place. During her tenure on the show, Cross endured personal turmoil when actor Richard Jordan, her longtime companion, died. After leaving the series in 1997, the actress took some time away from Hollywood in order to earn a Master's in psychology. In the early 2000s, she followed up a string of guest-starring spots with a role on the WB's beloved
Everwood and then as a perfectionist homemaker on
Desperate Housewives. The plumb role of playing Bree Van De Camp on ABC's mega-hit earned Cross her first Emmy nod in 2005. In June 2006, she married financial adviser Tom Mahoney, and the pair welcomed twin girls in February 2007. In her spare time, Cross supports several charities and continues pursuing her passion for psychology.
Marcia Cross Fast Facts:
- Became interested in acting when she performed in her first school play, a sixth-grade production titled The Witch of Blackbird Pond.
- Guest starred as Rebecca Howe's sexy sister Susan in an episode of Cheers.
- Was cast by Aaron Spelling for an un-sold pilot in 1989. Spelling cast her once again, this time more successfully, in 1992 to play Dr. Kimberly Shaw on the hit prime-time soap Melrose Place.
- Took a break from acting after Melrose Place to earn her Master's Degree in psychology.
- Landed a career-revitalizing role in 2004 on ABC's hit Desperate Housewives.
- Supports several charitable causes, including the Revlon Run/Walk, which raises money for breast-cancer research.
- Marcia Cross Relationships:
- Eden - Daughter
- Ellen Cross - Sister
- Janet Cross - Mother
- Mark Cross - Father
- Richard Jordan - Ex-significant Other
- Savannah - Daughter
- Susan Cross - Sister
- Tom Mahoney - Husband
- Marcia Cross Awards:
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2005 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2007 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Winner
- 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Winner
- College:
- The Juilliard School, New York, NY (BFA in Drama); Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA (MA in Psychology)