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Felicity Huffman

 
AMG AllMovie Guide:

Felicity Huffman

Biography

An alumna of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, actress Felicity Huffman is one of many classically trained stage performers who have found a home on television. She appeared on Broadway in David Mamet's Feed the Plow and co-founded the New York Atlantic Theater Company, along with Mamet and her husband, film actor William H. Macy.

Making her feature-film debut in 1988 in Mamet's comedy drama Things Change, Huffman continued her acting career in the world of made-for-TV movies. A few exceptions include small roles in Reversal of Fortune, Hackers, The Spanish Prisoner, and Magnolia. In 1997 she won an Obie award for her work in the off-Broadway production of David Mamet's Cryptogram.

Moving to the small-screen, Huffman was bumped up to starring status for the role of Dana Whitaker on the sitcom Sports Night, which ran from 1998 to 2000 on ABC before moving over to Comedy Central in syndication. She earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for her work on that show. After Sports Night's cancellation in 2000, Huffman had her first child and could be seen in a string of TV movies, notably as Lady Bird Johnson in John Frankenheimer's Path to War. She then lent her voice to Disney's animated series Kim Possible and made appearances on Frasier, The West Wing, and irls Club.

In 2003 Huffman was back to lead status as Lorna Colm on the Showtime original series Out of Order, also starring Eric Stoltz and husband Macy. Though the show was soon cancelled, it wouldn't be long before Huffman was back at it with another new show. This time around, she starred in ABC's dark primetime dramatic comedy series Desperate Housewives, which premiered in the Fall of 2004. The wildly successful series proved to be a break unlike anything the actress had ever experienced, earning her an Emmy, a Screen Actor's Guild Award, multiple Golden Globe nominations, and a stardom that finally made her a household name.

In 2006, she won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for her role in Transamerica, in which she plays a pre-op male-to-female transsexual who learns she has a teenage son from a clumsy sexual encounter during her life as a man. Huffman's critical acclaim cemented that she had arrived as an actress and would not need to rely on the notoriety of Desperate Housewives in order to maintain a vibrant career. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Felicity Huffman

Top
Felicity Huffman
Born Felicity Kendall Huffman
(1962-12-09) December 9, 1962 (age 49)
Bedford, New York, U.S.
Alma mater The Putney School
New York University
Occupation Actress
Years active 1978–present
Spouse William H. Macy (1997–present)
Children 2

Felicity Kendall Huffman (born December 9, 1962) is an American film, stage, and television actress. She is known for her role as executive producer Dana Whitaker on the ABC television show Sports Night (1998–2000), which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination, and as hectic supermom Lynette Scavo on the ABC show Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), which has earned her an Emmy Award.

In 2005, her critically acclaimed role as a trans woman in the independent film Transamerica earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination. She has also starred in films such as Reversal of Fortune, The Spanish Prisoner, Magnolia, Path to War, Georgia Rule and Phoebe in Wonderland.

Contents

Early life

Huffman was born in Bedford, New York, the daughter of Grace Valle (née Ewing), an actress, and Moore Peters Huffman, a banker and partner at Morgan Stanley.[1][2] Her parents divorced a year after her birth, and she was raised mostly by her mother.[3] She has six sisters (Mariah, Betsy, Jane, Grace, Isabel, Jessie) and a brother (Moore Jr.).[citation needed] She attended The Putney School, a private boarding high school in Putney, Vermont and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan in 1980. After high school she went on to New York University where she graduated in 1984 from Circle In The Square, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama.[citation needed]

Career

Huffman started her career in theater in the early 1980s. In 1988, she debuted on Broadway in the title role in the formulation Speed the Plow.[citation needed] In the same year, she began her career in film, she starred in the roles of the second plan in the movies Things Change and Lip service.

In 1991, she played her first leading role on the television mini-series based on the novel by Stephen King's Golden Years. In 1997, she starred in the film The Spanish Prisoner. From 1998 to 2000, she played a lead role in the critically acclaimed series Sports Night, for which she received several awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe.

On television, she starred as Dana Whitaker in the dramedy Sports Night, and has had guest starring roles on Frasier, The X-Files, The West Wing, Early Edition, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.[citation needed]

Felicity Huffman in Oscar de la Renta
Huffman at the The Heart Truth in 2010.

After completion of the show, she gave birth to her first child and returned to work.[citation needed] She starred in a controversial statement about the proximity of women in the Boston Marriage and other theatrical productions.[citation needed] In 2001, she made a pilot of the TV series Heart Department for the CBS.[citation needed] In 2002, she played Lady Bird Johnson in the HBO movie Path to War. In 2001, she appeared in the made for TV movie Snap Decision with Mare Winningham. Huffman has appeared in films such as Raising Helen and Christmas with the Kranks. In 2003, she starred in Showtime's miniseries Out of Order.

Huffman won an Emmy for her work on Desperate Housewives (Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series), as well as two 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards (Best Actress - Comedy Series and part of Best Ensemble - Comedy Series). Huffman's performance in the film Transamerica was praised by many critics and garnered her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress as well as nominations for the Best Actress (Screen Actors Guild) and Best Actress (Academy Awards). Huffman is now a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[4]

Huffman is also the co-author of the self-help book, A Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend.[5]

She played in dramedy Georgia Rule in 2007, and the independent drama Phoebe in Wonderland in 2008.

Huffman and her husband William H. Macy each received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 7, 2012.[6][7]

She made a film, Lesster, as a writer, director and actress in 2010.[8] In 2012, Huffman plays in the film Come Back to Sorrento directed by David Mamet, and features in the drama Keep Coming Back with William H. Macy.[9][10] A report in November 2010 suggested that Huffman, along with co-star Teri Hatcher, would be quitting Desperate Housewives,[11] but ABC denied the claim.[12]

Personal life

Huffman with William H. Macy at a ceremony for each to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2012

Huffman is married to actor William H. Macy, with whom she has two daughters, Sophie Grace (born August 1, 2000) and Georgia Grace (born March 14, 2002).[citation needed] They married on September 6, 1997.[citation needed] She has appeared on television, in movies, and on stage many times with her husband, on the TV show Sports Night'' and in the movie Magnolia.

In 2005, Huffman revealed that she had suffered from both anorexia and bulimia in her late teens and twenties.[13]

Huffman identifies as pro-choice, and has been seen campaigning for women's rights on behalf of NARAL. She also identifies as a Democrat.[14]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1978 ABC Afterschool Specials Sara Greene Episode: A Home Run for Love
1988 Things Change The Wheel of Fortune Girl
Lip Service Woman P.A. TV Movie
1990 Reversal of Fortune Minnie, Dershowitz's Student Staff
1991 Golden Years Terry Spann 7 Episodes
1992 Quicksand: No Escape Julianna Reinhardt TV Movie
Raven Sharon Prior Episode: ...And Everything Nice
The Water Engine Dance Hall Girl TV Movie
The Heart of Justice Annie TV Movie
1992, 1997 Law & Order Diane Perkins 2 Episodes
1993 The X-Files Dr. Nancy Da Silva Episode: "Ice"
1995 Hackers Prosecuting Attorney
1996 Harrison: Cry of the City Peggy Macklin TV Movie
Early Edition Det. Tagliatti Episode: Pilot
1997 Chicago Hope Ellie Stockton Episode: Take My Wife, Please
The Spanish Prisoner Pat McCune
1998–2000 Sports Night Dana Whitaker TV Series; Series Regular
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2000)
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2000)
Nominated — Q Award for Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series (2000)
1999 A Slight Case of Murder Kit Wannamaker
Magnolia Cynthia
2001 The Heart Department Dr. Liza Peck
The West Wing Ann Stark Episode: "The Leadership Breakfast"
Snap Decision Carrie Dixon
2002 Path to War Lady Bird Johnson
Door to Door Micheal Jackson's Mom Uncredited
Girls Club Marcia Holden Episode: Pilot
2002–2003 Kim Possible Dr. Betty Director 2 Episodes
2003 Out of Order Lorna Colm Mini-series
Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Farter – Miniseries or Television Film
Frasier Julia Wilcox 8 episodes
House Hunting Sheila
2004 The D.A. Charlotte Ellis 3 Episodes
Raising Helen Lindsay Davis
Reversible Errors Judge Gillian Sullivan Nominated — Prism Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Christmas with the Kranks Merry
2004–2012 Desperate Housewives Lynette Scavo Series regular
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Won 2005, Nominated 2007)
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (Won 2005, Nominated 2006-2007)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (Won 2006, Nominated 2007)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Won 2005-2006, Nominated 2007-2009)
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2005–2007)
Nominated — Prism Award for Best Performance in a Comedy Series
2005 Transamerica Sabrina 'Bree' Osbourne African-American Film Critics Association for Best Actress
Bangkok International Film Festival Award for Best Actress
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Jury Award for Best Actress at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival
Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Female
National Board of Review Award for Best Actress
Palm Springs International Film Festival Award for Best Breakthrough Performance
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
San Diego Film Festival Award for Best Actress
Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best Actress
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
2006 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Herself Episode: Pilot
Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman Pilot Nima Straight-to-video; voice
2007 Georgia Rule Lilly Wilcox Nominated — Prism Award for Performance in a Feature Film
2008 Phoebe in Wonderland Hillary Lichten
2010 Family Guy voice
2010 Lesster Mom writer, director and actress[15]
2012 Untitled Felicity Huffman Project TNT show[16]
Keep Coming Back Pre-production
Come Back to Sorrento Pre-production
2013 Rudderless Emily Pre-production

Theatre

Year Title Notes
1982 A Taste of Honey as Joe Stage Theatre, New York City
1986 Been Taken as Jill 18th Street Playhouse, New York City
1988 Speed the Plow as Karen Royale Theatre
1988 Boys' Life as Maggie Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, New York City
1989 Bobby Gould in Hell Lincoln Center Theater
1990 Grotesque Love Songs New York City
1994 Shaker Heights New York City
1995 Dangerous Corner off-Broadway production
1995–1996 The Cryptogram as Donny American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts off-Broadway production
1997 The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite as Marie Atlantic Theater Company, New York City
1999 Boston Marriage as Anna American Repertory Theatre, Hasty Pudding Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts
1999 Oh, Hell! as Glenna Lincoln Center, New York City
2000 The Loop New York City
2000 Jake’s Women Old Globe Theatre
2000 Three Sisters Philadelphia Festival Theatre

Other awards and nominations

OBIE Award

  • 1994–95: Won for her performance as Donny in David Mamet's "Cryptogram"

Other honors

  • 2009: In June 2008 it was announced that Felicity Huffman would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Although announced in June 2008, she is among the list of 2009 recipients. The date and time for the unveiling of her star and ceremony has not yet been announced but was expected to be sometime in 2009. She finally received her star in March 2012 along with her husband in a joint ceremony.[17]

References

  1. ^ Felicity Huffman Biography (1962-)
  2. ^ "Jane Huffman to Marry Hays Jones Jr." June 5, 1983, New York Yimes
  3. ^ Derschowitz, Jessica. "Felicity Huffman on Family: It's a Community." CBS News: The Early Show. 12 Nov 2010.
  4. ^ Academy Invites 120 to Membership
  5. ^ Books by Felicity Huffman
  6. ^ "25 chosen for Hollywood's "star" treatment". CNN.com/entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-06-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20080627111653/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/06/20/hollywood.walk.ap/index.html. Retrieved 2008-06-20. 
  7. ^ "Felicity Huffman is Getting a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star!!". Desperate Blog. http://www.desperateblog.com/felicity-huffman-is-getting-a-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star/. Retrieved 2008-06-23. 
  8. ^ Felicity Huffman: No "Seven Year Itch" for "Desperate Housewives", CBS News, November 11, 2010
  9. ^ "Mamet Pens Depression-Era "Sorrento" December 17, 2009, Dark Horizons
  10. ^ Keep Coming Back at IMDb
  11. ^ Desperate Times for "Housewives" as Teri Hatcher Quits, Daily Mail, November 20, 2010
  12. ^ "Hatcher and Huffman leaving Desperate Housewives: report". The Spy Report (Media Spy). November 22, 2010. http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/11/22/us-hatcher-and-huffman-leaving-desperate-housewives-report/. Retrieved 2012-02-05. 
  13. ^ Keck, William (November 21, 2005). "Felicity Huffman is sitting pretty". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-11-21-huffman_x.htm. Retrieved May 2, 2010. 
  14. ^ Photo of Huffman speaking at Pro-Choice America
  15. ^ Derschowitz, Jessica (November 11, 2010). "Felicity Huffman: No "Seven Year Itch" for "Desperate Housewives"". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20022454-10391698.html. 
  16. ^ Felicity Huffman developing TNT show
  17. ^ "Macy, Huffman 2nd Married Couple To Get Stars On Walk Of Fame « CBS Los Angeles". Losangeles.cbslocal.com. 2012-03-07. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/03/07/macy-huffman-second-married-couple-to-get-stars-on-walk-of-fame/. Retrieved 2012-04-28. 

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