Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker (born August 2, 1964 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina) is an American actress whose work in theater and film has won her international acclaim. She has been the recipient of prestigious awards such as the Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Her best-known works include Boys on the Side, The West Wing, and Angels in America. Parker is currently starring on Showtime's Weeds.

Her Early Work

Acting was always her passion and she graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts with acting as her major.

Related Topics:
Acting - North Carolina School of the Arts

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She got her start in a bit part on the soap opera Ryan's Hope.

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In the late '80s, she travelled to New York where she got a job measuring feet at Ecco. After a few minor roles, she made her Broadway debut in a 1990 production of Craig Lucas's Prelude to a Kiss, playing the main role of Rita. For her performance she won the Clarence Derwent Award and was nominated for a Tony award. She also briefly dated her co-star Timothy Hutton. However, when the play was made into a film, Meg Ryan took over Parker's role.

Related Topics:
New York - Broadway - 1990 - Craig Lucas - Prelude to a Kiss - Clarence Derwent - Timothy Hutton - Meg Ryan

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That same year she was noticed by critics worldwide when she appeared in the movie adaptation of another Craig Lucas play, the poignant Longtime Companion, one of the first movies to truly deal with AIDS. This role was followed by her appearance in Fried Green Tomatoes in 1991 alongside Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson and Kathy Bates.

Related Topics:
Longtime Companion - AIDS - Fried Green Tomatoes - 1991 - Jessica Tandy - Mary Stuart Masterson - Kathy Bates

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