Equally adept at comedy and drama, this Boston-bred actress honed her skills on the New York stage before seeking screen work in Los Angeles. Although she appeared in supporting film roles over the years, usually as the wise woman who didn't get the guy (
Primal Fear,
Forces of Nature), she excelled on TV. After a few failed pilots, Tierney came to prominence as a witty writer on NBC's
NewsRadio. When the sitcom ended in 1999, she quickly signed on to
ER as a bright but brooding med student, an intensely serious role that earned her an Emmy nod in 2001. With steady small-screen employment, Tierney took chances on a number of indie films, including a contemporary adaptation of
Macbeth titled
Scotland, Pa. that was written and directed by then-husband Billy Morrissette. The flick tanked at the box office and, unfortunately, so did their relationship; the couple filed for divorce in 2006, after 13 years of marriage. In 2009, she filmed the pilot for the NBC dramedy
Parenthood, but pulled out of the project to undergo surgery and treatment for breast cancer (Lauren Graham replaced her in the role). Following her recovery, she returned to acting in the stage production
North Atlantic opposite Frances McDormand and reprised her recurring role as Dennis Leary's love interest on
Rescue Me.
Maura Tierney Fast Facts:
- Caught the acting bug after competing in a high-school drama festival.
- Her father, Joseph, was a long-time Boston City Council president and a mayoral candidate.
- Named the champion of Bravo's 2004 Celebrity Poker Showdown, a show hosted by NewsRadio costar Dave Foley.
- Became an ordained minister and officiated at ER castmate Parminder Nagra's 2009 wedding.
- Maura Tierney Relationships:
- Pat Tierney - Mother
- Joseph Tierney - Father
- Billy Morrissette - Ex-husband
- Joseph Tierney Jr. - Brother
- Deirdre Tierney Pulgini - Sister
- Maura Tierney Awards:
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- College:
- Attended New York University, New York, NY