Frances McDormand

McDormand was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Canadian parents Noreen, a now retired registered nurse and receptionist, and Vernon McDormand, a Disciples of Christ pastor.

McDormand's film debut was in Joel and Ethan Coen's first film, 1985's Blood Simple. In 1985, McDormand, the Coen brothers, Holly Hunter, and director Sam Raimi shared a house in the Bronx.

McDormand appeared in several theatrical and television roles during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

She has gained renown and critical acclaim for her dramatic work, and is a respected actress, having been nominated for Academy Awards four times.

In 1988, she was nominated for a Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Mississippi Burning; in 1996, she won the Academy award for Best Actress for her performance as police chief Marge Gunderson in Fargo; in 2000, she earned her second nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of a concerned mother in Almost Famous.

In 2006, McDormand received her third Best Supporting Actress nod for her performance in 2005's North Country, although she lost to Rachel Weisz. She also had a role in the film Friends with Money, a dark comedy co-starring Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener and Joan Cusack, and directed by Nicole Holofcener.

She recently received an Independent Spirit Award for her role in Friends with Money.



She also voiced the role of the lady principal Melanie Upfoot in the Simpsons episode Girls Just Want to Have Sums, which aired on April 30, 2006.

Also for Almost Famous, she won the Best Supporting Actress nod from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Chicago Film Critics Association, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, San Diego Film Critics Society, Southeastern Film Critics Association, and the Florida Film Critics Circle