X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Laura Linney Biography

Birth Name:
Laura Leggett Linney
Birth Place:
New York, New York, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Her father, Romulus Linney, was a writing teacher who authored over 30 plays
  • Roomed with actress Jeanne Tripplehorn while attending a graduate program at Juilliard
  • Recreated the character Mary Ann Singleton for the miniseries Tales of the City and its sequels based on the books by Armistead Maupin, with whom she maintains a close friendship
  • After seeing her breakout performance in Primal Fear, Clint Eastwood picked her to portray his daughter in 1997's Absolute Power
  • Played wife to actor Liam Neeson's John Proctor on Broadway in a 2002 revival of The Crucible and again onscreen as the wife of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey (2004)
  • Portrayed a matchmaker and the last of Dr
  • Frasier Crane's loves during the final season of Frasier
  • Met her second husband while attending the Telluride film festival and was given away at the marriage ceremony by Neeson
  • Drawn to the part of a woman dealing with a cancer diagnosis on the comedy-drama The Big C, accepted the lead role when made an executive producer

Awards

  • 2021Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2020Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2012Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2011Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2007Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2007Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2007Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2007Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2006Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2006Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2005Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2005Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2005London Film Critics Association-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2004BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2004Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2004Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2004National Board of Review-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2004Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2004National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up): winner
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2003Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2001Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 2001Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress [Runner-up]: winner
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2000New York Film Critics Circle-Best Actress: winner
  • 2000National Society of Film Critics-Best Actress: winner
  • 2000Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Actress: winner
  • 2000Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2000Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated

Relationships

  • David Adkins -- Ex-husband
  • Romulus Linney -- Father
  • Susan Linney -- Half Sister
  • Marc Schauer -- Husband
  • Miriam Anderson Leggett Perse -- Mother
  • Bennett Armistead Schauer -- Son
  • Laura Callahan -- Stepmother