Mary Steenburgen

Biography

Mary Nell Steenburgen (born February 8, 1953) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and songwriter. After studying at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse in the 1970s, she made her professional acting debut in the Western comedy film Goin' South (1978). Steenburgen went on to earn critical acclaim for her role in Time After Time (1979) and Jonathan Demme's comedy-drama film Melvin and Howard (1980), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Personal Facts

Known For

Acting

Gender

female

Known Credits

128

Birth Date

1953-02-08 00:00:00

Birth Place

Newport, Arkansas, USA

Known For

• 

  The Proposal
• 

  The Last Man on Earth
• 

  A Man on the Inside
• 

  Back to the Future Part III
• 

  Powder
• 

  What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Credits

• actors (124 credits)

  • The Dink

    Candace

    actor

    actors
    2026
  • A Dog’s Perfect Christmas

    Claire

    actor

    actors
    2026
  • Let's Have Kids!

    Sue

    actor

    actors
    2026
  • Last Train to Fortune

    Miss Maybelle

    actor

    actors
    2025
  • Easy's Waltz

    actor

    actors
    2025
  • A Man on the Inside

    Mona Margadoff

    actor

    actors

    - Final Exams (2025) ... Mona Margadoff actor actors

    - Group Project (2025) ... Mona Margadoff actor actors

    - Extracurriculars (2025) ... Mona Margadoff actor actors

    - Thanksgiving Break (2025) ... Mona Margadoff actor actors

    - Spirit Week (2025) ... Mona Margadoff actor actors
    2024
  • Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • Book Club: The Next Chapter

    Carol

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2022
  • The Jennifer Hudson Show

    - Meghan Trainor, Mary Steenburgen (2025) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2022
  • Nightmare Alley

    Mrs. Kimball

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas

    Maggie Clarke

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • Happiest Season

    Tipper

    actor

    actors
    2020
  • 30 Rock: A One-Time Special

    Mary Steenburgen

    actor

    actors
    2020
  • Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

    Maggie Clarke

    actor

    actors

    - Zoey's Extraordinary Goodbye (2021) ... Maggie Clarke actor actors

    - Zoey's Extraordinary Session (2021) ... Maggie Clarke actor actors

    - Zoey's Extraordinary Double Date (2021) ... Maggie Clarke actor actors

    - Zoey's Extraordinary Girls' Night (2021) ... Maggie Clarke actor actors

    - Zoey's Extraordinary Mystery (2021) ... Maggie Clarke actor actors
    2020
  • Flannery

    Flannery O'Connor (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2019
  • Antiquities

    Dr. Margot

    actor

    actors
    2019
  • The Kelly Clarkson Show

    - "Book Club: The Next Chapter" Cast, Caitlyn Smith (2023) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Kristen Stewart, Clea DuVall, Mary Steenburgen, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Holland, Martha Stewart, Tegan and Sara (2020) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2019
  • Book Club

    Carol

    actor

    actors
    2018
  • Katie Says Goodbye

    Maybelle

    actor

    actors
    2018
  • The Conners

    - Keep on Truckin' (2018) ... Marcy Bellinger actor actors
    2018
  • I Do... Until I Don't

    Cybil Burger

    actor

    actors
    2017
  • The Discovery

    Interviewer

    actor

    actors
    2017
  • The Book of Love

    Julia Mureaux

    actor

    actors
    2017
  • Dean

    Carol

    actor

    actors
    2016
  • The Good Place

    - Whenever You're Ready (2020) ... Teacher actor actors
    2016
  • Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow

    Aunt Cly

    actor

    actors
    2015
  • A Walk in the Woods

    Jeannie

    actor

    actors
    2015
  • 7 Days in Hell

    Louisa Poole

    actor

    actors
    2015
  • The Last Man on Earth

    Gail Klosterman

    actor

    actors

    - Cancun, Baby! (2018) ... Gail Klosterman actor actors

    - Barbara Ann (2018) ... Gail Klosterman actor actors

    - The Blob (2018) ... Gail Klosterman actor actors

    - Designated Survivors (2018) ... Gail Klosterman actor actors

    - Special Delivery (2018) ... Gail Klosterman actor actors
    2015
  • Grace and Frankie

    - The One-At-A-Timing (2020) ... Miriam actor actors

    - The Rescue (2020) ... Miriam actor actors
    2015
  • The One I Love

    Mom (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2014
  • Song One

    Karen Ellis

    actor

    actors
    2014
  • Late Night with Seth Meyers

    - Jonathan Bailey, Mary Steenburgen (2025) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Post Malone, Mary Steenburgen (2021) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2014
  • Last Vegas

    Diana Boyle

    actor

    actors
    2013
  • Brahmin Bulls

    Helen West

    actor

    actors
    2013
  • Orange Is the New Black

    - Tied to the Tracks (2017) ... Delia Powell actor actors

    - Don’t Make Me Come Back There (2015) ... Delia Powell actor actors

    - A Tittin' and a Hairin' (2015) ... Delia Powell actor actors

    - Fear, and Other Smells (2015) ... Delia Powell actor actors

    - Fake It Till You Fake It Some More (2015) ... Delia Powell actor actors
    2013
  • Outlaw Country

    Anastasia Lee

    actor

    actors
    2012
  • Finding Your Roots

    - Puritans and Pioneers (2017) ... Self actor actors
    2012
  • The Help

    Elaine Stein

    actor

    actors
    2011
  • Fight for Your Right Revisited

    Café Patron

    actor

    actors
    2011
  • Tales from the Future

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2010
  • Dirty Girl

    Peggy

    actor

    actors
    2010
  • Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

    Mrs. Yankovic

    actor

    actors
    2010
  • Justified

    - Sounding (2015) ... Katherine Hale actor actors

    - The Trash and the Snake (2015) ... Katherine Hale actor actors

    - Noblesse Oblige (2015) ... Katherine Hale actor actors

    - Cash Game (2015) ... Katherine Hale actor actors

    - Restitution (2014) ... Katherine Hale actor actors
    2010
  • Did You Hear About the Morgans?

    Emma Wheeler

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • Clarkworld

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • The Proposal

    Grace Paxton

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • In the Electric Mist

    Bootsie Robicheaux

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • The Open Road

    Katherine

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

    - Jane Fonda; Candice Bergen; Mary Steenburgen (2023) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Mary Steenburgen; Candice Bergen; Don Johnson (2018) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2009
  • Four Christmases

    Marilyn

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • Step Brothers

    Nancy Huff

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • The Brave One

    Carol

    actor

    actors
    2007
  • Honeydripper

    Amanda Winship

    actor

    actors
    2007
  • Numb

    Dr. Blaine

    actor

    actors
    2007
  • Nobel Son

    Sarah Michaelson

    actor

    actors
    2007
  • Elvis & Anabelle

    Geneva Leigh

    actor

    actors
    2007
  • Inland Empire

    Visitor #2

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • The Dead Girl

    Leah's Mother

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • O Lucky Malcolm!

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School

    Marienne Hotchkiss

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • 30 Rock

    - What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year? (2012) ... Diana Jessup actor actors

    - Queen of Jordan II: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper (2012) ... Diana Jessup actor actors

    - Kidnapped by Danger (2012) ... Diana Jessup actor actors

    - Hey, Baby, What's Wrong? (2) (2012) ... Diana Jessup actor actors

    - Hey, Baby, What's Wrong? (1) (2012) ... Diana Jessup actor actors
    2006
  • American Dad!

    - A Donkey's Shame (2026) ... Dr. Fay Petit (voice) actor actors

    - The Flume Flume Room (2026) ... (voice) actor actors
    2005
  • The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

    - Mary Steenburgen / Becca Tobin (2013) ... Self actor actors
    2005
  • Remembering Ragtime

    Mother (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2004
  • It Must Be Love

    Clem Gazelle

    actor

    actors
    2004
  • The Tony Danza Show

    - Episode 92 (2005) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2004
  • Elf

    Emily

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Casa de los Babys

    Gayle

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Hope Springs

    Joanie Fisher

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Mrs. Pilgrim Goes to Hollywood

    Mary

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Sunshine State

    Francine Pinkney

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • Wish You Were Dead

    Sally Rider

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • Living with the Dead

    Detective Karen Condrin

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • Character Building: Inside 'Life As a House'

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • I Am Sam

    Dr. Blake

    actor

    actors
    2001
  • Life as a House

    Colleen Beck

    actor

    actors
    2001
  • The Trumpet of the Swan

    Mother (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2001
  • Nobody's Baby

    Estelle

    actor

    actors
    2001
  • Good Day Live

    - Antonio Banderas; Benjamin McKenzie; Mary Steenburgen (2004) ... Self actor actors
    2001
  • The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Picnic

    Rosemary Sydney

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm

    - The Pickle Gambit (2017) ... Mary Steenburgen actor actors

    - The Hot Towel (2009) ... Mary Steenburgen actor actors

    - The Freak Book (2007) ... Mary Steenburgen actor actors

    - The Anonymous Donor (2007) ... Mary Steenburgen actor actors

    - Meet the Blacks (2007) ... Mary Steenburgen actor actors
    2000
  • Noah's Ark

    Naamah

    actor

    actors
    1999
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

    - Denial (2002) ... Grace Rinato actor actors
    1999
  • About Sarah

    Sarah Elizabeth McCaffrey

    actor

    actors
    1998
  • Becker

    - D.N.R. (2004) ... Patient (uncredited) actor actors
    1998
  • The View

    - Steenburgen/Keno (2004) ... Self actor actors

    - Steenburgen/Silverstone (2003) ... Self actor actors
    1997
  • Nixon

    Hannah Nixon

    actor

    actors
    1995
  • Powder

    Jessie Caldwell

    actor

    actors
    1995
  • My Family

    Gloria

    actor

    actors
    1995
  • Pontiac Moon

    Katherine Bellamy

    actor

    actors
    1994
  • It Runs in the Family

    Mrs. Parker (Mother)

    actor

    actors
    1994
  • Ellen

    - Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute (2) (1998) ... Self (uncredited) actor actors
    1994
  • Philadelphia

    Belinda Conine

    actor

    actors
    1993
  • What's Eating Gilbert Grape

    Betty Carver

    actor

    actors
    1993
  • Frasier

    - Retirement Is Murder (1995) ... Marjorie (voice) actor actors
    1993
  • Earth and the American Dream

    Reader (voice)

    actor

    actors
    1992
  • Back to the Future: Dickens of a Christmas

    Clara Clayton Brown (voice)

    actor

    actors
    1991
  • The Butcher's Wife

    Stella Keefover

    actor

    actors
    1991
  • Back to the Future

    Clara Clayton (voice)

    actor

    actors

    - Verne Hatches an Egg (1992) ... Clara Clayton (voice) actor actors

    - St. Louis Blues (1992) ... Clara Clayton (voice) actor actors

    - Super Doc (1992) ... Clara Clayton (voice) actor actors

    - My Pop's an Alien (1992) ... Clara Clayton (voice) actor actors

    - Hill Valley Brown-Out (1992) ... Clara Clayton (voice) actor actors
    1991
  • The Long Walk Home

    Narrator (voice)

    actor

    actors
    1990
  • Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret

    Self

    actor

    actors
    1990
  • Back to the Future Part III

    Clara Clayton

    actor

    actors
    1990
  • Parenthood

    Karen Buckman

    actor

    actors
    1989
  • Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre

    Self (voice)

    actor

    actors
    1989
  • Miss Firecracker

    Elaine Rutledge

    actor

    actors
    1989
  • The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank

    Miep Gies

    actor

    actors
    1988
  • LIVE with Kelly and Mark

    - Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, and Michelle Yeoh (2025) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    1988
  • The Whales of August

    Young Sarah

    actor

    actors
    1987
  • End of the Line

    Rose Pickett

    actor

    actors
    1987
  • Dead of Winter

    Julie Rose / Katie McGovern / Evelyn

    actor

    actors
    1987
  • One Magic Christmas

    Ginny Grainger

    actor

    actors
    1985
  • Little Red Riding Hood

    Little Red Riding Hood a.k.a. Mary

    actor

    actors
    1983
  • Romantic Comedy

    Phoebe Craddock

    actor

    actors
    1983
  • Cross Creek

    Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

    actor

    actors
    1983
  • A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

    Adrian

    actor

    actors
    1982
  • Faerie Tale Theatre

    - Little Red Riding Hood (1983) ... Mary / Little Red Riding Hood actor actors
    1982
  • Ragtime

    Mother

    actor

    actors
    1981
  • Melvin and Howard

    Lynda Dummar

    actor

    actors
    1980
  • Time After Time

    Amy Robbins

    actor

    actors
    1979
  • Goin' South

    Julia Tate

    actor

    actors
    1978
  • The Oscars

    - 75th Academy Awards (2003) ... Self actor actors
    1953

• production (3 credits)

  • Best Summer Ever

    executive producer

    production
    2020
  • Bye Bye Benjamin

    executive producer

    production
    2006
  • End of the Line

    executive producer

    production
    1987

• crew (1 credits)

  • The One I Love

    thanks

    crew
    2014