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Frances McDormand Biography

Birth Name:Frances Louise McDormand

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Won a National Board of Review Award for her work in "Mississippi Burning" in 1988
Graduated from Yale Drama School in 1982 with a master's degree in fine arts
Graduated from Bethany College in 1979
Got married to director Joel Coen in 1984
After college, she moved to New York, where she shared an apartment with Holly Hunter and waited tables while looking for her break as an actress
Quote: "I'm a character actress, plain and simple․․․Who can worry about a career? Have a life․ Movie stars have careers - actors work, and then they don't work, and then they work again․"
Quote: "You have to get away from the theater or from the set and live life․ If you work constantly, from job to job, you're living in a fantasy world and you have nothing else to offer than fantasy․"
Has appeared in several films produced by the Coen brothers
Got her role in the film "Blood Simple" because her then-roommate, Holly Hunter, suggested her for the part after a scheduling conflict meant she couldn't take it
While shooting her first film, she waited for the crew to finish setting up the last, terrifying scene while crying under a table because she was trying to be as scared as her character would be

Awards

1988KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1988NBR Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1989Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1989CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1993Special Volpi Cup-: winner
1994Special Award-: winner
1996ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1996ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
1996KCFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
1996Lone Star Film & Television Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1996LAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
1996NBR Award-Best Actress: winner
1996NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1996SDFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
1996STFC Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1997Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): winner
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1997CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: winner
1997DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Empire Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: winner
1997FFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1997ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: winner
1997NSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: winner
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Comedy/Musical Actress: winner
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
1997SEFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Stinker Award-Most Annoying Fake Accent: nominated
1997Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actress: nominated
2000ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2000BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2000Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2000LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2000NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2000SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2001Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2001BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama/Romance: winner
2001CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2001Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2001DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2001NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2001PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2001SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2002Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003Best Actress-: winner
2004Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
2004Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
2005Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2005SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005WFCC Award-Best Female Images in a Movie: winner
2006Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2006BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2006Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2007Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
2008ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2008SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2008UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2012BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
2012Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2012PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: winner
2012SEFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2012WFCC Award-Best Screen Couple: winner
2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2013COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
2015Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actress in a Movie/Limited Series: winner
2015Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
2015Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: winner
2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2015INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie: winner
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: winner
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: winner
2015Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2017Felix-Best Actress: winner
2017AAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2017ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2017ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2017BFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2017BOFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2017British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017Capri Actress Award-: winner
2017CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017CIFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2017CIFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017DFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2017FFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017Golden Schmoes-Best Actress of the Year: winner
2017IGN Award-Best Lead Performer in a Movie: winner
2017ICP Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2017Sierra Award-Best Actress: winner
2017LAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017LAOFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017NTFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2017OFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017PCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2017PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2017SDFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017SFFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017SFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017SEFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017SLFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2017The BAM Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017TFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2017UFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017VFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2017VVFP Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
2017WAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2017Courage in Acting Award-: winner
2017WFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2018AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2018Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2018Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2018EDA Award-Best Actress: winner
2018EDA Special Mention Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2018EDA Special Mention Award-Bravest Performance: nominated
2018AFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2018BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: winner
2018Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Lead Actress (Mejor Actriz): winner
2018COFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: winner
2018DFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
2018DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
2018Empire Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: winner
2018GAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: winner
2018Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
2018HFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2018HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018INOCA-Best Actress: nominated
2018IFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018IFTA Award-Best International Actress: winner
2018ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: winner
2018NSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018NCFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Odyssey Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2018OAFFC Award-Best Female Lead: winner
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2018Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2019CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress of the Decade: nominated
2019Critics Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
2020BOFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2020CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2020FFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2020Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress of the Decade: nominated
2020GWNYFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2020IFJA Award-Best Actress: winner
2020ICP Award-Best Performance: nominated
2020WIN Award-Actress Feature Film: nominated
2021AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2021Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2021Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: winner
2021Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2021EDA Special Mention Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2021EDA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021AFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021AFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: winner
2021BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: winner
2021British Independent Film Award-Best International Independent Film: winner
2021CIC Award-Best Independent Film: winner
2021CIC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021CinEuphoria-Best Film - International Competition: winner
2021CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: winner
2021COFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021DFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021DFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2021DFCA Award-Best Film Actress: nominated
2021Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actress: nominated
2021DFCC-Best Actress: winner
2021Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: winner
2021Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
2021GAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: nominated
2021Gold Derby Film Award-Motion Picture: winner
2021Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2021Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Feature: winner
2021Audience Award-: winner
2021Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021HFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2021HCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021Huading Award-Best Global Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2021IFJA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021ICFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021ICS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021IFC Award-Best Actress: winner
2021KCFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021Sierra Award-Best Actress: winner
2021LEJA Award-Best Picture: winner
2021ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: winner
2021MNFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021MNFCA Award-Best Picture: winner
2021MCFCA Award-Best Film: nominated
2021MCFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021NSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
2021NCFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021NDFS Award-Best Actress: winner
2021NDFS Award-Best Picture: winner
2021NTFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021OFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2021OAFFC Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
2021OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021OFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2021PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: winner
2021PCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021SDFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021SFBAFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2021Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
2021SFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2021SEFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021TFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021UFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021VFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2021WAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2021WFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Motion Picture: nominated
2022BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2022Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actress: nominated
2022NBR Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2022OAFFC Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2022Audience Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
2022Critics Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
2022SLFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2023Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2023Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2023Windie-Best Independent Film: nominated
2023CinEuphoria-Best Actress - International Competition: nominated
2023Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: nominated
2023Robert Altman Award-: winner
2023Girls on Film Award-Ensemble Acting: nominated
2023Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2023LEJA Award-Best Picture: nominated