Ann Dowd | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Dowd at the 2012Peabody Awards | |
| Born | (1956-01-30)January 30, 1956 (age 69)[1] Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | College of the Holy Cross (BA) DePaul University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Kip Dowd (grandfather) |
Ann Dowd (born January 30, 1956) is an American actress. She has appeared in numerous films, includingGreen Card (1990),Lorenzo's Oil (1992),Philadelphia (1993),Garden State (2004),The Manchurian Candidate (2004),Marley & Me (2008),Compliance (2012),Side Effects (2013),St. Vincent (2014),Captain Fantastic (2016),Hereditary (2018), andMass (2021). ForCompliance, she won theNational Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. ForMass, she earned nominations for aBritish Academy Film Award and aCritics' Choice Award.[2]
Dowd was a series regular on theHBO seriesThe Leftovers (2014–2017), for which she received aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination forOutstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. She plays Aunt Lydia Clements on theHulu seriesThe Handmaid's Tale (2017–2025), for which she won thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Ann Dowd was born on January 30, 1956,[1] inHolyoke, Massachusetts.[3] Her brother, John Dowd Jr., is president of The Dowd Agencies, an insurance company started by their great-grandfather. Dowd's sister, Elizabeth Dowd, is a developmental therapist and parenting coach; sister Clare Dowd is executive director of the Creative Action Institute;[4] sister Deborah Dowd is a psychotherapist, and former president of the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis;[5] and her brother Gregory Dowd is a doctor of veterinary medicine. Her paternal grandfather wasJames "Kip" Dowd, a former Major League baseball player for thePittsburgh Pirates.[citation needed]
Dowd's family isIrish Catholic. She attended theWilliston Northampton School, where she performed in school plays. Dowd became interested in acting at a young age but was dissuaded by her family at first because they did not approve of her pursuing an acting career. She graduated in 1978 from theCollege of the Holy Cross inWorcester, Massachusetts, where much of Dowd's family also attended. At Holy Cross, she was apremed student and took acting classes. Dowd credits her instructors and roommate at that time for persuading her to forgo medical school and follow her passion for acting.
Dowd traveled to New York City to audition for theGoodman School of Drama atDePaul University in Chicago, where she received anMFA in Acting. While at DePaul, Dowd received a prestigious scholarship from theSarah Siddons Society,[6] an award that had also gone toCarrie Snodgress. Dowd was classmates withElizabeth Perkins and also worked as a waitress during this time.[7]
Dowd starred inShiloh (1997) and its sequels,Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season (1999) andSaving Shiloh (2006) as Louise Preston. She appears in the 1997 cult filmAll Over Me and in the 1998 filmApt Pupil, in which she played the mother ofBrad Renfro's character. Dowd has acted in two films directed byJonathan Demme, as Jill Beckett, sister ofTom Hanks's character, Andrew Beckett, inPhiladelphia (1993), and inThe Manchurian Candidate (2004), starringMeryl Streep. Also in 2004, Dowd played the mother ofNatalie Portman's character inGarden State and appeared inThe Forgotten starringJulianne Moore. In 2005, she starred oppositeGretchen Mol inThe Notorious Bettie Page, portraying Edna Page,Bettie Page's mother. She also played the role of Mrs. Strank in the 2006Clint Eastwood filmFlags of Our Fathers.
In 2008, Dowd appeared inMarley & Me starringJennifer Aniston. She received rave reviews for her work in the 2012 movieCompliance, which premiered at theSundance Film Festival. In the film, Dowd plays Sandra, a fast food restaurant manager caught in a mysterious ethical nightmare. For this role, Dowd was nominated for anIndependent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress and received theNational Board of Review award. She has played supporting roles in twoSteven Soderbergh films,The Informant! in 2009, andSide Effects in 2013, in which she played the mother ofChanning Tatum's character. She played the supporting role of Joan in the 2018horror filmHereditary.
Dowd's first appearance was in the 1985 television movieFirst Steps with fellow Chicago actorMegan Mullally. She has appeared in many popular television shows includingHouse andLouie, on both of which she played a nun. Other shows includeChicago Hope,The X-Files,Third Watch,NYPD Blue,Judging Amy andFreaks and Geeks, in which she played the mother ofBusy Philipps. Dowd has also appeared in many episodes of theLaw & Order franchise. In 1995 she portrayedRose Long, Louisiana's first female senator, in the television movieKingfish, oppositeJohn Goodman. In 2008 she appeared in the television movieTaking Chance starringKevin Bacon. Dowd was a series regular onNothing Sacred, which was filmed in Los Angeles and aired for one season (97/98), in which she played a nun. For this role she was nominated for aVQT award for Best Supporting Actress. Dowd also co-starred onThe Leftovers as Patti Levin, leader of the group The Guilty Remnant. In 2017, Dowd began starring as Aunt Lydia Clements on theHulu seriesThe Handmaid's Tale, for which she won aPrimetime Emmy Award.
In 2021, she was cast asEdna Garrett for the third installment ofLive in Front of a Studio Audience onABC, featuring bothDiff'rent Strokes and the spin-offThe Facts of Life.[8]
Dowd has appeared on Broadway three times. In 1993 she received theClarence Derwent Award for her Broadway debut performance in the playCandida starringMary Steenburgen. She next appeared inTaking Sides (1996) withElizabeth Marvel, andVera Farmiga, who was Dowd's understudy. In 2008 she appeared inThe Seagull starringCarey Mulligan andKristin Scott Thomas. Dowd has also won threeJeff Awards for her work in Chicago theatre, including a 1987 Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Emma Brookner inThe Normal Heart.[9][10] In 2007, Dowd played the role of Sister Aloysius inDoubt at theGeorge Street Playhouse.The New York Times described her performance as "chilling" and said she was "masterful in this role."[11] In 2011, Dowd performed Off-Broadway inBlood from a Stone, playing the mother ofEthan Hawke.[12][13][14] In 2015, Dowd starred in Naomi Wallace's playNight Is a Room at Signature Theater.
Dowd and her husband, Lawrence "Larry" Arancio, both coach acting and are frequent collaborators.[15][16] Arancio, who is from New York City, is a writer and acting chair for theCAP21 program who has also taught at theHB Studio andColumbia College Chicago. Arancio has worked withLady Gaga as her acting coach.[17] Dowd and Arancio met while students in Chicago. They have three children, and reside in New York City. Dowd is a foster care advocate.[18][19] Her alma materCollege of the Holy Cross conferred an honoraryDoctor of Fine Arts degree on her on May 27, 2016.[19]
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | First Steps | Debby | Television movie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 | The Baby-Sitters Club | Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd | Nurse Courtney | Episode: "Here's a Rare Photo Opportunity" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | Law & Order | Teresa Franz | Episode: "Sonata for Solo Organ" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | Law & Order | Dorothy Baxter | Episode: "Breeder" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III | Maureen | 3 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cosby Mysteries | — | Television movie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | Chicago Hope | Eleanor Robertson | Episode: "Growth Pains" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long | Rose McConnell Long | Television movie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | Law & Order | Patricia Smith | Episode: "Pro Se" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1998 | Nothing Sacred | Sister Maureen "Mo" Brody | 20 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Providence | Mary | Episode: "Home Again" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The X-Files | Mrs. Reed | Episode: "Rush" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Judging Amy | Mrs. Schleewee | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | NYPD Blue | Ann Collins | Episode: "Along Came Jones" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freaks and Geeks | Cookie Kelly | 2 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Law | — | Episode: "Love and Money" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baby | Ms. Minifred | Television movie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100 Centre Street | — | Episode: "Queenie's Running" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Amy & Isabelle | Lenora | Television movie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Division | Sarah | Episode: "Obsessions" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Louise Durning | Episode: "Victims" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | The Education of Max Bickford | Jean | 3 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Third Watch | Sgt. Beth Markham | 3 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Law & Order | Dr. Beth Allison | Episode: "Compassion" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Touched by an Angel | Paula | Episode: "Song for My Father" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Sally Wilkens | Episode: "Soulless" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | The Jury | Evelyn Berry | Episode: "The Honeymoon Suite" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Laurie Manotti | Episode: "Inert Dwarf" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| House | Mother Superior | Episode: "Damned If You Do" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Law & Order: Trial by Jury | Karen Ames | Episode: "Truth or Consequences" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Lillian Siefeld | Episode: "Lead" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taking Chance | Gretchen | Television movie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Louie | Nun | Episode: "God" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Pan Am | Marjorie Lowrey | Episode: "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Masters of Sex | Estabrook Masters | 7 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | True Detective | Betty Childress | Episode: "Form and Void" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Love's a Bitch | Wes' Mom | Episode: "Family Time" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Divide | Ida Bankowski | 2 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olive Kitteridge | Bonnie Newton | 4 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Big Driver | Ramona Norville | Television movie | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | The Leftovers | Patti Levin | 14 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Quarry | Naomi | 4 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Good Behavior | FBI Agent Rhonda Lashever | 10 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Girls | Phaedra | Episode: "Goodbye Tour" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2025 | The Handmaid's Tale | Aunt Lydia Clements | 42 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 3Below: Tales of Arcadia | Zeron Omega (voice) | 6 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Lambs of God | Sister Margarita | 4 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2020 | At Home with Amy Sedaris | Teri Tucker / Janice Shanks | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Helpsters | Marching Band Marsha | Episode: "Primmflandia Day/Marching Band Marsha" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Search Party | Paula Jo | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live in Front of a Studio Audience | Edna Garrett | Episode: "Diff'rent Strokes andThe Facts of Life" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | American Dad! | Miss Macadoo / Deborah (voice) | 2 episodes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Other Two[20] | Paula Davies | Episode: "Cary Gets His Ass Handed to Him" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teenage Euthanasia | Erica / Debt Announcer (voice) | 2 episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Terminator Zero[21] | The Prophet (voice) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026–? | The Testaments | Aunt Lydia Clements | }Theater[edit]
Awards and nominations[edit]References[edit]
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