Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman

Birth name: Felicity Kendall Huffman
Born: December 9, 1962
Age: 61
Birthplace: Bedford, New York, U.S.
Popularity:
Please login to contact Felicity Huffman...
Email:
Password:
Don't have an account yet?  Join FanPal.com Today!
Biography

Felicity Kendall Huffman (born December 9, 1962) is an American film, stage, and television actress.

Huffman began her acting career in theatre and in 1990s also had many supporting roles in film and television. She starred as executive producer Dana Whitaker in the critically acclaimed ABC comedy-drama Sports Night from 1998 to 2000, which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. She is best known for her role as Lynette Scavo in the long-running ABC comedy-drama Desperate Housewives (2004-2012), for which she earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the debut season of the series and three Screen Actors Guild Awards overall.

Huffman drew critical praise for her performance as a transgender woman in the independent film Transamerica (2005). The role earned her a Golden Globe Award, Independent Spirit Award, National Board of Review, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Huffman has also starred in such films as Reversal of Fortune (1990), The Spanish Prisoner (1997), Magnolia (1999), Path to War (2002), Georgia Rule (2007), Phoebe in Wonderland (2008), Rudderless (2014) and Cake (2014). Since 2015, she has started in a third ABC series, the anthology crime drama American Crime, for which she has received critical acclaim including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie nomination. Additionally, she has been nominated on three more occasions for a Golden Globe Award, and has also won an Obie.

Read more...

Early life and education

Huffman was born in Bedford, New York, into a wealthy family, the daughter of Grace Valle (née Ewing) and Moore Peters Huffman (1910-1987), a banker and partner at Morgan Stanley. Her parents divorced a year after her birth, and she was raised mostly by her mother. She has six sisters, Mariah, Betsy, Grace, Isabel, Jessie, Jane (1949-2013), and a brother, Moore Jr. In the 1970s her mother left New York and bought property in Snowmass, Colorado, where Felicity and her siblings spent their youth. Her great-grandfather was Gershom Moore Peters (1843-1919), founder of the Peters Cartridge Company and prominent Baptist minister, author of the The Master. Another great-grandfather, Frederick Berthold Ewing, graduated from Yale University and became a prominent St. Louis businessman. Her great-great-grandfather was Joseph Warren King (1814-1885), founder of the King Mills Powder Company. She has German, English, Scots-Irish, Scottish, and French-Canadian ancestry.

Huffman attended The Putney School, a private boarding high school in Putney, Vermont and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan in 1981. She attended New York University, Circle in the Square and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.

Career

Early career in theatre

Huffman made her debut on stage in 1982 and in the 1980s and 1990s worked as a rule on stage productions. In 1988, she debuted on Broadway in the role as Karen in David Mamet's play Speed the Plow. In 1995, Huffman won Obie Award for her performance in the critically successful play The Cryptogram by David Mamet. In 1999 she starred in the premiere of David Mamet's play Boston Marriage, about the daringly intimate relationship between two turn-of-the-century women, as well as in several other major theatrical productions.

Earliest television and film roles

Huffman debuted on the big screen in 1988 with a small role in the Mamet's film Things Change. Two years later, she appeared as Minnie, a Harvard law school student in the courtroom drama, Reversal of Fortune. Her other credits include 1992 thriller Quicksand: No Escape with Donald Sutherland and Tim Matheson, The Water Engine opposite William H. Macy, and supporting roles on The Heart of Justice (1992), Hackers (1995), Harrison: Cry of the City (1996) and The Underworld (1997).

Huffman starred on the television mini-series Golden Years, based on the novel by Stephen King in 1991. In 1994, she starred in the ABC pilot Thunder Alley as Ed Asner's daughter, but was replaced in subsequent episodes by Diane Venora when the series began. During the 1990s, she appeared mostly in guest roles on such shows as The X-Files, Early Edition, Chicago Hope and Law & Order. In 1997, she starred in Mamet's critically acclaimed film The Spanish Prisoner.

From 1998 to 2000, she portrayed Dana Whitaker in the critically acclaimed series Sports Night, for which she received several awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy. After the completion of Sports Night, she gave birth to her first child and soon returned to work. In 2001, she starred on not picked up CBS pilot Heart Department In 2003, she starred in Showtime's miniseries Out of Order.

In 1999, she appeared in the Paul Thomas Anderson's ensemble drama Magnolia and television adaptation of 1938 movie A Slight Case of Murder along with William H. Macy. In 2002 she played Lady Bird Johnson in the HBO award-winning movie Path to War and made a cameo appearance in the Door to Door, which starred, and was written by, her husband. She also starred in Snap Decision (2001) with Mare Winningham, Raising Helen (2004) as Kate Hudson's character's older sister, and Christmas with the Kranks (2004), as the best friend of Jamie Lee Curtis's character.

Desperate Housewives and other work

After a recurring role on the NBC sitcom Frasier, Huffman landed a leading role in an ABC comedy series Desperate Housewives, co-starring with Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, and Eva Longoria. Huffman won an Emmy Award for her work on Desperate Housewives (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) in 2005, as well as two 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards (Best Actress - Comedy Series and part of Best Ensemble - Comedy Series) in 2006 and received several other awards. A report in November 2010 suggested that Huffman, along with co-star Teri Hatcher, would be quitting Desperate Housewives, but ABC denied the claim. The series ended in May 2012, after eight seasons.

In 2005, Huffman starred in the independent drama Transamerica, playing Bree, a pre-operative transsexual who, on the brink of her transforming surgery, discovered that in her youth she had fathered a son - who is now a troubled teen hustler on the run. Huffman's performance in Transamerica was praised by many critics and garnered her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, as well as nominations for Best Actress (Screen Actors Guild) and Best Actress (Academy Awards), and several another awards and nominations. Huffman is now a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In 2007, Huffman starred in Garry Marshall's Georgia Rule with Jane Fonda and Lindsay Lohan, and 2008 on independent drama Phoebe in Wonderland. She made a film, Lesster, as a writer, director and actress in 2010.

Subsequent career

Huffman says that after seeing her as Lynette Scavo on "Housewives" for eight years it's difficult for audiences to think of her as anything else. She says that's why she was eager for a role that's a distinctive departure. After Desperate Housewives finale, Huffman reunited with playwright David Mamet in the comedy play November. The play debuted on September 26 and ended on November 4, 2012. In 2012, she also appeared in the ensemble cast independent movie, Trust Me, opposite Clark Gregg.

On February 15, 2013, Huffman signed on for the lead role of the Fox drama pilot Boomerang, directed by Craig Brewer. The show centers on Margie Hamilton, a spy and master of disguise, who is the matriarch of the Hamilton clan, a "briskly professional assassin who can kill and dispose of a suspected terrorist in the afternoon - then switch to wife and mother mode without a hitch." However, Fox did not pick up Boomerang as a new series.

In 2013, Huffman starred in the independent drama Rudderless, and in the adventure film Big Game opposite Samuel L. Jackson. She also starred in another independent drama Stealing Cars, and was cast in the comedy film Zendog. In April 2014 she was cast in independent film Cake opposite Jennifer Aniston.

In 2014, Huffman was cast as lead in the ABC anthology legal drama pilot American Crime created by John Ridley. The pilot was picked up for a series on May 2014. On October 2, 2014, it was announced that Huffman will be star and executive producer alongside Carol Mendelsohn in her untitled drama about a special agent (Huffman) who is the fearless leader of a team of young agents on the New York City Joint Terrorism Task Force. The project was developed for ABC, but was not green-lighted for 2015-16 television season. American Crime debuted on ABC in March, 2015 and Huffman received critical acclaim for her performance as antagonistic character. Robert Bianco from USA Today said in his review "A triumph for Oscar winner John Ridley, who created, produced and directed American Crime, and a reconfirmation that Felicity Huffman is one of the best actors we have... In no case is that truer than with Huffman's Barb, who is the morally questionable center of the story. Barb is a Lifetime movie heroine: a tough, divorced mother who raised her children alone, and is fighting now to bring her son's murderer to justice. Except this isn't that kind of show, and Barb's battles have not just made her stronger; they've made her hate all the people she's felt she had to fight. Which is why Huffman's gut-wrenching performance is so startling. A bundle of barely concealed fury, Huffman forces us to invest in a woman who thinks her bigotry makes her not just right, but noble."

Personal life

Huffman married actor William H. Macy on September 6, 1997. They have two daughters, Sophia Grace (born December 1, 2000) and Georgia Grace (born March 14, 2002) She has appeared on television, in movies, and on stage many times with her husband; the couple each received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 7, 2012.

Huffman identifies as pro-choice, and has campaigned for women's rights on behalf of NARAL. In 2005, Huffman revealed that she had suffered from both anorexia and bulimia in her late teens and twenties.

Huffman is the co-author of the self-help book A Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend. On March 1, 2012, Huffman launched What The Flicka, a website dedicated to women and mothers where she is a regular contributor.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1988 Things Change Wheel of Fortune Girl
1990 Reversal of Fortune Minnie
1992 Quicksand: No Escape Julianna Reinhardt
1995 Hackers Attorney
1997 The Spanish Prisoner Pat McCune
1999 Magnolia Cynthia
2002 Door to Door Joey's Mom Cameo
2003 House Hunting Sheila
2004 Raising Helen Lindsay Davis
2004 Christmas with the Kranks Merry
2005 Transamerica Sabrina 'Bree' Osbourne
2006 Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman Pilot Nima Voice
2007 Darius Goes West Herself
2007 Georgia Rule Lilly
2008 Phoebe in Wonderland Hillary Lichten
2010 Lesster Mrs. Geary Also writer and director
2013 Trust Me Agnes
2014 Rudderless Emily
2014 Big Game CIA Director
2014 Cake Annette
2015 Stealing Cars Kimberly Wyatt
2015 Zendog Nicole
TBA Crystal Pre-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1978 ABC Afterschool Special Sara Greene Episode: "A Home Run for Love"
1988 Lip Service Woman P.A. Television film
1991 Golden Years Terry Spann TV Mini-series
1992 Raven Sharon Prior Episode: "And Everything Nice"
1992 The Water Engine Dance Hall Girl Television film
1992 The Heart of Justice Annie Television film
1992, 1997 Law & Order Hillary Colson / Diane Perkins Episodes: "Helpless" and "Working Mom"
1993 The X-Files Dr. Nancy Da Silva Episode: "Ice"
1996 Early Edition Det. Tagliatti Episode: "Pilot"
1996 Bedtime Donna TV Mini-series
1996 Harrison: Cry of the City Peggy Macklin Television film
1997 Chicago Hope Ellie Stockton Episode: "Take My Wife, Please"
1998-2000 Sports Night Dana Whitaker Series regular, 45 episodes
1999 A Slight Case of Murder Kit Wannamaker Television film
2001 The West Wing Ann Stark Episode: "The Leadership Breakfast"
2001 Snap Decision Carrie Dixon Television film
2002 Path to War Lady Bird Johnson Television film
2002 Girls Club Marcia Holden Episode: "Pilot"
2003 Out of Order Lorna Colm TV Mini-series
2002, 2003 Kim Possible Dr. Betty Director Episodes: "Number One" and "The Ron Factor", voice
2003 Frasier Julia Wilcox Recurring role, 8 episodes
2004 The D.A. Charlotte Ellis Recurring role, 3 episodes
2004 Reversible Errors Gillian Sullivan Television film
2004-2012 Desperate Housewives Lynette Scavo Series regular, 180 episodes
2006 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Herself Episode: "Pilot"
2015-present American Crime Barb Hanlon
Leslie Graham
Season 1 (11 episodes)
Season 2 (10 episodes)

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 Theater, 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
2012 November Mark Taper Forum
2015 The Anarchist Theater Asylum

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
1995 Obie Award Best Performance The Cryptogram Won
1998 The Comedy Festival Best Performance in Comedy Won
2000 Golden Globe Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Sports Night Nominated
2000 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Sports Night Nominated
2000 Viewers for Quality Television Awards Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Sports Night Nominated
2004 Satellite Award Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film Out of Order Nominated
2005 Prism Awards Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film Reversible Errors Nominated
2005 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Won
2005 Golden Globe Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Nominated
2005 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Won
2005 Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival Best Actress Transamerica Won
2005 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress Transamerica Won
2005 National Board of Review Best Actress Transamerica Won
2005 Prism Awards Best Performance in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Won
2005 San Diego Film Festival Best Actress Transamerica Won
2005 Satellite Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Won
2005 Satellite Award Best Actress - Motion Picture Transamerica Won
2005 Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress Transamerica Won
2006 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Transamerica Won
2006 Golden Globe Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Nominated
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Transamerica Nominated
2006 Academy Award Best Actress Transamerica Nominated
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Won
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Won
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Transamerica Nominated
2006 Bangkok International Film Festival Best Actress Transamerica Won
2006 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress Transamerica Nominated
2006 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Best Actress Transamerica Nominated
2006 Independent Spirit Award Best Female Lead Transamerica Won
2006 Online Film Critics Society Awards Best Actress Transamerica Won
2006 Palm Springs International Film Festival Best Actress Transamerica Won
2006 Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award Best Actress Transamerica Won
2006 Satellite Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Nominated
2007 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Nominated
2007 Golden Globe Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Nominated
2007 Satellite Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Nominated
2007 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Nominated
2007 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Nominated
2008 Prism Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film Georgia Rule Nominated
2008 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Nominated
2009 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Desperate Housewives Nominated
2011 Satellite Award Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Desperate Housewives Nominated
2012 Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on the Walk of Fame at 7060 Hollywood Blvd Won
2015 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actress in a Movie or Limited Miniseries American Crime Nominated
2015 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie American Crime Nominated
2016 Satellite Awards Best Actress - Television Series Drama American Crime Nominated
2016 Satellite Awards Best Cast - Television Series American Crime Won
2016 Golden Globe Award Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film American Crime Nominated
2016 Women's Image Network Awards Actress MFT Movie/Mini-Series American Crime Won

In June 2008 it was announced that Felicity Huffman would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She finally received her star in March 2012 along with her husband in a joint ceremony.

Charities

Felicity Huffman supports the following charitable causes: Breast Cancer, Cancer.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]


Terms Privacy Join Contact
Contact Any Star FanPal • 2024