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Frances McDormand

Birth Name:
Frances Louise McDormand
Birth Place:
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Profession
Actress, Producer, Soundtrack
Frances McDormand

Fast Facts

  • Won a National Board of Review Award for her work in "Mississippi Burning" in 1988
  • Graduated from Bethany College in 1979
  • Graduated from Yale Drama School in 1982 with a master's degree in fine arts
  • 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 CupWinner
  • 1994Special AwardWinner
  • 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 Comedy/Musical Actress:Winner
  • 1997OFTA Film Award - Best 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 a Female Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
  • 2001Actor - Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: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 Ensemble:Winner
  • 2001OFCS Award - Best Supporting Actress:Nominated
  • 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 ActressWinner
  • 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
  • 2009Felix - Best Supporting Actress:Winner
  • 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
  • 2012Razzie Award - Worst Ensemble:Nominated
  • 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 Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film:Nominated
  • 2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award - Best Female Vocal Performance 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 Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie:Winner
  • 2015Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Limited Series: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 Actress in a Leading Role:Winner
  • 2017ACCA - Best Cast Ensemble:Nominated
  • 2017BFCC Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2017BOFCA Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2017British Independent Film Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2017Capri Actress AwardWinner
  • 2017CFCA Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2017CIFCC Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2017CIFCC Award - Best Ensemble Cast:Winner
  • 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
  • 2017WFCC Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2017Courage in Acting AwardWinner
  • 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 Female Actor in a Leading Role:Winner
  • 2018Actor - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:Winner
  • 2018EDA Special Mention Award - Bravest Performance:Nominated
  • 2018EDA Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2018EDA Special Mention Award - Actress Defying Age and Ageism: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 Ensemble:Winner
  • 2018OFTA Film Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 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 Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2021EDA Special Mention Award - Actress Defying Age and Ageism:Nominated
  • 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
  • 2021C&I Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2021CIC Award - Best Independent Film:Winner
  • 2021CIC Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2021CinEuphoria - Best Actress - International Competition:Winner
  • 2021CinEuphoria - Best Film - 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 Female Lead:Nominated
  • 2021Independent Spirit Award - Best Feature:Winner
  • 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
  • 2021Audience AwardWinner
  • 2021Gotham Independent Film Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2021Gotham Independent Film Award - Best Feature:Winner
  • 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 Picture:Winner
  • 2021MNFCA Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2021MCFCA Award - Best Film:Nominated
  • 2021MCFCA Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 2021NSFC Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2021NCFCA Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 2021NDFS Award - Best Picture:Winner
  • 2021NDFS Award - Best Actress: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
  • 2022Critics Award - Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira):Winner
  • 2022Audience 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
  • 2023Robert Altman AwardWinner
  • 2023Independent Spirit Award - Best Feature:Nominated
  • 2023Girls on Film Award - Ensemble Acting:Nominated
  • 2023Gold Derby Film Award - Ensemble Cast:Nominated
  • 2023LEJA Award - Best Picture:Nominated
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