Mary McCormack Biography
Summary
"Mary Catherine McCormack" (born February 8, 1969) is an American actress. She is better known for her role as Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper on the television series "The West Wing" and, more recently, as Mary Shannon on "In Plain Sight".
Personal life
McCormack was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. She is the daughter of clinical therapist Norah and car dealership and ice cream parlor owner William McCormack. Her parents divorced in 1990. She has a sister Bridget, a professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School, and a brother William, an actor.
McCormack graduated from The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, New Jersey, in 1987 and went on to attend, but never graduate from, Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, majoring in English and painting.
McCormack married "Brothers & Sisters" producer Michael Morris in July 2003. They have daughters Margaret (b. September 3, 2004) and Rose (b. May 15, 2007).
Career
McCormack began her acting career at age 12 performing in Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors". She continued her stage work in many more musicals, and finished an acting program at the William Esper Studio. She has worked in many New York theater productions, including The Atlantic Theater Company, Alice's 4th Floor and Naked Angels, where she appeared in Jon Robin Baitz's "A Fair Country".
McCormack portrayed Justine Appleton on "Murder One" (1995–1997) and also starred in the HBO series "K Street," which aired for only ten episodes. In 2004, McCormack joined the cast of "The West Wing" as Deputy National Security Advisor and ex-CIA officer Kate Harper. Her character soon became a recurring role and remained throughout the last three seasons of the series, until its finale.
McCormack now stars in a new television series for the USA Network, "In Plain Sight". She plays Mary Shannon, a Deputy United States Marshal attached to the Albuquerque, NM, office of the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC), more commonly known as the Federal Witness Protection Program. The show is currently in its second season.
McCormack was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for the role of Gretchen in the 2008 Broadway revival of "Boeing Boeing".
Filmography
"Miracle on 34th Street" (1994) - Myrna Foy (not listed in the credits)
"Private Parts" (1997) - Alison Stern
"Murder One" (1995-1996) - Justine Appleton
"Deep Impact" (1998) - Andrea 'Andy' Baker
"Mystery, Alaska" (1999) - Donna Biebe
"The Big Tease" (1999) - Monique
"The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy" (2000) - Anne
"Madison" (2001) - Bonnie McCormick
"K-PAX" (2001) - Rachel Powell
"High Heels and Low Lifes" (2001) - Frances
"Full Frontal" (2002) - Linda
"K Street" (2002) - Maggie Morris
"ER" (2003) - Debbie (two episodes: 'The Lost' and 'Makemba')
"Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" (2003) - Grace Finney
"The West Wing" (2004–2006) - Kate Harper
"Traffic" (2004) - Carole McKay
"Right at Your Door" (2006) - Lexi
"1408" (2007) - Lily Enslin
"In Plain Sight" (2008-present) - Mary Shannon
"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" ("Contract", 2008 episode) - Mary Shannon
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Mary McCormack.
