Raised in Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, Germany and France (her father served in the U
S
Army)
Classmates at the North Carolina School of the Arts included Peter Hedges and Joe Mantello
Listed as one of 12 Promising New Actors of 1990 in Screen World
Her break-out film role was Ruth in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
Organized and produced "Don't Pick the Wrong Fight," a series of public-service announcements promoting tolerance toward Arab-Americans in the wake of Sept
11
The 2002 song "Butterfly in Reverse" by the band Counting Crows was written for her
Awards
2009Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:nominated
2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:nominated
2007Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:nominated
2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:nominated
2007Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie:nominated
2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy:winner
2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series:nominated
2004Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie:winner
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:winner
1999Genie Awards-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated