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Frances McDormand

Actor

Frances McDormand

Born June 23, 1957 in Gibson City, Illinois, USA57 films

Frances Louise McDormand (born Cynthia Ann Smith; June 23, 1957) is an American film, stage and television actress. McDormand began her career on stage and made her screen debut in the 1984 film Blood Simple, having since appeared in several theatrical and television roles. McDormand has been recognized for her performances in 'Mississippi Burning' (1988), 'Short Cuts' (1993), 'Fargo' (1996), 'Wonder Boys' (2000), 'Almost Famous' (2000), 'North Country' (2005), 'Moonrise Kingdom' (2012), 'Hail, Caesar!' (2016), 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' (2017), 'Nomadland' (2020) and 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' (2021).

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Throughout her career, she has been nominated for eight Golden Globes, five Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and three Emmy Awards. She is one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting", winning an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1997 for her role as Marge Gunderson in 'Fargo'.  She also won Best Supporting Actress from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Florida Film Critics Circle, and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for her performance in 'Wonder Boys' (2000). McDormand returned to the stage in the David Lindsay-Abaire play Good People on Broadway from February 8, 2011 to April 24, 2011. In 2017, McDormand starred in 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' which earned her a second Academy Award for Best Actress.

McDormand has been married to filmmaker Joel Coen since 1984, they reside in New York City along with their adopted son Pedro.

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The best way into Frances McDormand's work
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri posterFirst watchThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri20178.1as MildredAfter seven months have passed without a culprit in her daughter's murder case, Mildred Hayes makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Fargo poster7.8Fargo1996Isle of Dogs poster7.8Isle of Dogs2018Moonrise Kingdom poster7.7Moonrise Kingdom2012Primal Fear poster7.7Primal Fear1996Almost Famous poster7.5Almost Famous2000The Good Dinosaur poster6.8The Good Dinosaur2015Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted poster6.7Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012Mississippi Burning poster7.7Mississippi Burning1988

Filmography

57 films as actor
  1. TBAJack of Spades
  2. 2026Armani and the Birth of Italian Fashion
  3. 2024WolfsPam (voice)
  4. 2022Women TalkingScarface Janz
  5. 2021The Tragedy of MacbethLady Macbeth
  6. 2021The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening SunLucinda Krementz
  7. 2021NomadlandFern
  8. 2020The Oedipus ProjectJocosta
  9. 2018Isle of DogsInterpreter Nelson (voice)
  10. 2017Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriMildred
  11. 2016Hail, Caesar!C. C. Calhoun
  12. 2015The Good DinosaurMomma (voice)
  13. 2012Promised LandSue Thomason
  14. 2012Madagascar 3: Europe's Most WantedChantel DuBois (voice)
  15. 2012Moonrise KingdomMrs. Bishop
  16. 2011This Must Be the PlaceJane
  17. 2011Transformers: Dark of the MoonMearing
  18. 2008Burn After ReadingLinda Litzke
  19. 2008Miss Pettigrew Lives for a DayGuinevere Pettigrew
  20. 2006Friends with MoneyJane
  21. 2005Æon FluxHandler
  22. 2005North CountryGlory
  23. 2003Something's Gotta GiveZoe
  24. 2003Laurel CanyonJane
  25. 2002City by the SeaMichelle
  26. 2002UpheavalAnne
  27. 2001The Man Who Wasn't ThereDoris Crane
  28. 2000Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed BigThe Adult Fannie (voice)
  29. 2000Almost FamousElaine Miller
  30. 2000Wonder BoysSara Gaskell
  31. 1998Talk of AngelsConlon
  32. 1998MadelineMiss Clavel
  33. 1998Johnny SkidmarksAlice
  34. 1997Paradise RoadDr. Verstak
  35. 1996Hidden in AmericaGus
  36. 1996PalookavilleJune
  37. 1996Lone StarBunny
  38. 1996Primal FearMolly
  39. 1996FargoMarge Gunderson
  40. 1995Beyond RangoonAndy Bowman
  41. 1995Talking WithCaro (segment "Handler")
  42. 1995The Good Old BoysEve Calloway
  43. 1993Short CutsBetty Weathers
  44. 1992Crazy in LoveClare
  45. 1992Passed AwayNora Scanlan
  46. 1991The Butcher's WifeGrace
  47. 1991Barton FinkStage Actress (voice) (uncredited)
  48. 1990Hidden AgendaIngrid Jessner
  49. 1990Miller's CrossingMayor's Secretary (uncredited)
  50. 1990DarkmanJulie Hastings
  51. 1990ChattahoocheeMae Foley
  52. 1988Mississippi BurningMrs. Pell
  53. 1987Raising ArizonaDot
  54. 1986Vengeance: The Story of Tony CimoBrigette
  55. 1985CrimewaveNun
  56. 1985Scandal Sheet
  57. 1985Blood SimpleAbby