Margo Martindale

Margo Martindale Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: July 18, 1951

Age: 72 years old

Birth Place: Jacksonville, Texas

A standout in roles earthy, empathetic and hardboiled, Emmy-winning Margo Martindale made herself one of the most distinctive character actors of the 1990s and early 2000s. Wielding a dulcet Texan lilt, Martindale carved a niche as a New York stage actor before securing her footing in feature films as the mother of a chronically ill boy in "Lorenzo's Oil" (1992). It began a series of projects with Susan Sarandon - most notably a turn as a fellow crusading nun in the Oscar-winning "Dead Man Walking" (1995) - and a career track of playing matronly authority figures. She ventured into series television in the courtroom drama "100 Centre Street" (A&E, 2001-02), opening a spigot of series work that would include "The Riches" (FX, 2007-08) and "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006-13). In 2004, Martindale earned a Tony for her part in the revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." In 2010, she joined the cast of the crime drama "Justified" (FX, 2010-15), wowing critics as a sweet-natured yet murderously Machiavellian godmother of a drug cartel. A go-to performer for tough but textured characters, Martindale well earned the reputation of a supporting player able to effortlessly steal scenes wholesale.

Credits

Cocaine BearStream

Actor
Ranger Liz
Movie
2023
66%

The WatcherStream

Actor
Mo
Series
2022
54%

Family Squares

Actor
Diane
Movie
2022

Impeachment: American Crime StoryStream

Actor
Lucianne Goldberg
Miniseries
2021

Mrs. AmericaStream

Actor
Bella Abzug
Series
2020
96%

Lazy Susan

Actor
Mary
Movie
2020

Uncle Frank

Actor
Mammaw Bledsoe
Movie
2020

Infinity TrainStream

Voice
Judge Morpho
Series
2019
100%

The Kitchen

Actor
Helen O'Carroll
Movie
2019

Instant FamilyStream

Actor
Grandma Sandy
Movie
2018
82%

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

DuckTalesStream

Guest Voice
Ma Beagle
Series
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

The Good FightStream

Guest Star
Series
2017
95%

Cars 3Stream

Voice
Louise Nash
Movie
2017
69%

Table 19

Actor
Freda Eckberg
Movie
2017

Wilson

Actor
Alta
Movie
2017

DownsizingStream

Actor
Woman on Shuttle
Movie
2017
47%

BrainDeadStream

Guest Star
Series
2016
65%

The Boss

Actor
Sister Aluminata
Movie
2016

Mother's DayStream

Actor
Flo
Movie
2016
8%

The Hollars

Actor
Sally Hollar
Movie
2016

Sophie and the Rising Sun

Actor
Anne Morrison
Movie
2016

Sneaky PeteStream

Actor
Audrey Bernhardt
Series
2015
96%

The Millers: Extras

Actor
Show
2014

Hollywood Today Live

Guest
Show
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Heaven Is for RealStream

Actor
Nancy Rawling
Movie
2014
51%

The MillersStream

Actor
Carol Miller
Series
2013
47%

Masters of SexStream

Guest Star
Series
2013
84%

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

The AmericansStream

Actor
Claudia
Series
2013
96%

The AmericansStream

Guest Star
Claudia
Series
2013
96%

Beautiful CreaturesStream

Actor
Aunt Del
Movie
2013
48%

Bluebird

Actor
Crystal
Movie
2013

August: Osage CountyStream

Actor
Mattie Fae Aiken
Movie
2013
66%

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

Guest
Show
2012

SmashStream

Guest Star
Series
2012
68%

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS

Guest
Show
2011

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

A Gifted ManStream

Actor
Rita Perkins-Hall
Series
2011
66%

Person of InterestStream

Guest Star
Barbara Russell
Series
2011
92%

New GirlStream

Guest Star
Bonnie
Series
2011
95%

SuitsStream

Guest Star
Nell Sawyer
Series
2011
91%

CHAOS

Guest Star
Show
2011

Harry's Law

Guest Star
Series
2011
43%

Win Win

Actor
Eleanor
Movie
2011

Scalene

Actor
Janice Trimble
Movie
2011

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Mike & MollyStream

Guest Star
Rosemary
Series
2010

JustifiedStream

Actor
Mags Bennett
Series
2010
97%

JustifiedStream

Guest Star
Series
2010
97%

SecretariatStream

Actor
Miss Ham
Movie
2010
64%

Main Street

Actor
Mrs. Parker
Movie
2010

Forged

Actor
Dianne
Movie
2010

Mercy

Guest Star
Show
2009

The Good WifeStream

Guest Star
Ruth Eastman
Series
2009
93%

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Actor
Ruby
Movie
2009

OrphanStream

Actor
Dr. Browning
Movie
2009
58%

The Winning Season

Actor
Donna
Movie
2009

The Butcher's Son

Actor
Flannigan
Movie
2009

Management

Actor
Trish
Movie
2008

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

The RichesStream

Actor
Nina
Series
2007
86%

Rocket Science

Actor
Coach Lumbly
Movie
2007

Rails & Ties

Actor
Judy Neasy
Movie
2007

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox StoryStream

Actor
Ma Cox
Movie
2007
75%

DexterStream

Guest Star
Camilla
Series
2006
71%

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Wedding Daze

Actor
Betsy
Movie
2006

Out There

Actor
Jeri
Movie
2006

MediumStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

Silver Bells

Actor
Mrs. Quinn
Movie
2005

Iron Jawed Angels

Actor
Harriot Blatch
Movie
2004

Million Dollar BabyStream

Actor
Earline Fitzgerald
Movie
2004
90%

The Best Thief in the World

Actor
Miss Mason
Movie
2004

The Human Stain

Actor
Psychologist
Movie
2003

An Unexpected LoveStream

Actor
Maggie
Movie
2003

It's All About Love

Actor
Betsy
Movie
2003

The Laramie Project

Actor
Trish Steger
Movie
2002

The HoursStream

Actor
Mrs. Latch
Movie
2002
79%

100 Centre Street

Actor
Series
2001

A Girl Thing

Actor
May
Movie
2001

What Girls Learn

Actor
Lainey
Movie
2001

Welcome to New York

Guest Star
Show
2000

Perfect Murder, Perfect Town

Actor
Show
2000

28 DaysStream

Actor
Betty
Movie
2000
33%

Proof of Life

Actor
Ivy
Movie
2000

Snoops

Guest Star
Show
1999

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Rita Gabler
Series
1999
78%

In Dreams

Actor
Nurse Floyd
Movie
1999

Earthly Possessions

Actor
Libby
Movie
1999

Ride With the Devil

Actor
Wilma Brown
Movie
1999

TwilightStream

Actor
Gloria Lamar
Movie
1998
61%

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

No Te Haré Daño

Actor
Marjean
Movie
1997

...First Do No Harm

Actor
Marjean
Movie
1997

Critical Care

Actor
Constance "Connie" Potter
Movie
1997

Ruby Jean and Joe

Actor
Frankie
Movie
1996

Marvin's RoomStream

Actor
Dr. Charlotte
Movie
1996
84%

New York UndercoverStream

Guest Star
Series
1994

Nobody's FoolStream

Actor
Birdy
Movie
1994
91%

Homicide: Life on the Street

Guest Star
Series
1993
91%

Lorenzo's OilStream

Actor
Wendy Gimble
Movie
1992
93%

Emma and Elvis

Actor
Jenny
Movie
1992

Law & OrderStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

The Child Saver

Actor
Alma
Movie
1988

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutMargo Martindale

Timothy Olyphant and Carla Gugino in 'Justified'

13 TV Stars Who Appeared on the Original ‘Justified’

Jake McDorman and Betty Gilpin in 'Mrs. Davis'

‘Mrs. Davis’ Sends Betty Gilpin on Mission to Find the Holy Grail in Full Trailer (VIDEO)

2023’s Must-See New TV Shows: ‘Shrinking,’ ‘White House Plumbers’ & 9 More

Bryan Cranston as Michael Desiato in 'Your Honor' Season 2
Exclusive

‘Your Honor’: Bryan Cranston’s Judge Faces New Challenges in Season 2 Trailer (VIDEO)

Jennifer Coolidge as Karen Calhoun in The Watcher on Netflix

‘The Watcher’: Ryan Murphy’s Netflix Series Debuts Sinister New Trailer & Premiere Date (VIDEO)

Jennifer Coolidge as Karen Calhoun in The Watcher on Netflix

‘The Watcher’ Trailer: Jennifer Coolidge Is Realtor Extraordinaire in New Ryan Murphy Series (VIDEO)

Impeachment: American Crime Story Cast, Bill Clinton, Clive Owen

See the ‘Impeachment’ Cast in Character vs. Their Real-Life Counterparts

Your Honor - Hunter Doohan and Bryan Cranston
Review

Roush Review: Judging Bryan Cranston’s ‘Your Honor’ for Questionable Actions

The View cast

Our Dream Cast for the Upcoming Miniseries About ‘The View’

Cate Blanchett Mrs America FX on Hulu Review
Review

Roush Review: All Hail the Women of ‘Mrs. America’

Bill and Hillary Clinton

Who Should Play Bill, Hillary & Other Real-Life ‘Impeachment’ Figures? (PHOTOS)

mrs america cover

FX’s ‘Mrs. America’ Cast: Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Rose Byrne & More (PHOTOS)

Margo Martindale in Sneaky Pete
Q&A

‘Sneaky Pete’s Margo Martindale Previews Audrey’s Emotional Season 3 Arc

_DSC0540
Spoiler Alert

‘The Americans’ Star Margo Martindale Says Goodbye to KGB Spymaster Claudia

Homeland - Damian Lewis and Morgan Saylor

Best Finale Episodes of the 21st Century: ‘Justified,’ ‘Stranger Things’ & More

Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings, Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings. CR: Patrick Harbron/FX

Roush Review: Spy vs. Spy in the Final Season of ‘The Americans’

Giovanni Ribisi in Sneaky Pete
Preview

‘Sneaky Pete’: Giovanni Ribisi, Margo Martindale & Graham Yost Talk Season 2

Sneaky Pete - Giovanni Ribisi

Amazon Renews ‘Sneaky Pete’ for Season 2

A Series Of Unfortunate Events

Roush Review: Go on a Binge With ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ and ‘Sneaky Pete’

Sneaky Pete - Giovanni Ribisi

‘Sneaky Pete’ Boss Graham Yost on the New Amazon Drama

Game of Thrones, GG2017.NOMS

‘Game of Thrones’, ‘People v. O.J.’ Win Big on Night One of the Creative Arts Emmys

The Good Wife - Margo Martindale and Alan Cumming

Margo Martindale Makes Her Move as a Power Player on ‘The Good Wife’