Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: February 8, 1953

Age: 71 years old

Birth Place: Newport, Arkansas

Spouses: Malcolm McDowell, Ted Danson

Children: Charlie McDowell

Soft-spoken and endearing, Mary Steenburgen first achieved a measure of fame with her debut role in the Jack Nicholson-directed Western "Goin' South" (1978), before winning raves and a Best Supporting Actress Oscar as Melvin's flustered but caring wife in Jonathan Demme's "Melvin and Howard" (1980). She starred alongside Steve Martin and an all-star ensemble cast in the Ron Howard family comedy "Parenthood" (1989), prior to falling in love with time-traveling Doc Brown in "Back to the Future III" (1990). She had a rare turn as an unlikable character when she reteamed with Demme for the heart-wrenching drama "Philadelphia" (1993), acting opposite Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks. After a small, but memorable role in Oliver Stone's political docudrama "Nixon" (1995), she later began what would be a steady string of appearances as herself - along with her celebrated husband Ted Danson - on the hit comedy series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2000- ). Increasingly cast in the role of family matriarch, Steenburgen infused these roles with an effervescence and wit that resulted in fully realized, eminently likable characters. She brought something extra to the role of James Caan's neglected wife in the Will Ferrell Christmas comedy "Elf" (2003), and showed an inordinate amount of patience as Ferrell's mother in "Step Brothers" (2008). Pulling off a feat few actresses could manage, Steenburgen successfully transitioned from charming waif to elegantly mature actress over the course of 30-plus years, without any signs of slowing down.

Credits

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of MagicStream

Self
Special
2023

Southern StorytellersStream

Guest
Docuseries
2023

Book Club: The Next ChapterStream

Actor
Carol
Movie
2023
46%

Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl

Self
Special
2022

27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Self
Show
2021

Mr. MayorStream

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Adriana
Series
2021

Nightmare AlleyStream

Actor
Felicia Kimball
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GMA3: What You Need to Know

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Show
2020

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Series
2020
81%

Happiest SeasonStream

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Movie
2020
82%

Best Summer Ever

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Bless the HartsStream

Guest Star
Crystalynn Poole
Series
2019
82%

Bless the HartsStream

Guest Voice
Crystalynn Poole
Series
2019
82%

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

Access Daily

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2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

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2019

Today 3rd Hour

Actor
Show
2018

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

Book ClubStream

Actor
Carol
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Antiquities

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Dr. Margot
Movie
2018

Live with Kelly and Ryan

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Talk
2017

I Do... Until I Don't

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Movie
2017

Today's Take

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Show
2016

Dean

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Carol
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Maybelle
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2016

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Series
2015
85%

The Last Man on Earth: Extras

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2015

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Jeannie
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2015
46%

7 Days in Hell

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Louisa Poole
Movie
2015

Jim Henson's Turkey HollowStream

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Movie
2015

Les classiques du cinéma

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Show
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Song One

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The Social

Guest
Show
2013

Orange Is the New BlackStream

Guest Star
Series
2013
90%

Brahmin Bulls

Actor
Helen West
Movie
2013

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

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The Bamboo Cutter's Wife/Narrator
Movie
2013

Last VegasStream

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Diana
Movie
2013
46%

The Art of Crystal Bridges

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2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

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Talk
2012

Finding Your RootsStream

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Reality
2012

The Chew

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2011

Dish Nation

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Talk
2011

WilfredStream

Guest Star
Series
2011
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The HelpStream

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Outlaw Country

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The Talk

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Talk
2010

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2010

JustifiedStream

Actor
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Series
2010
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JustifiedStream

Guest Star
Series
2010
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Dirty Girl

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Movie
2010

The Project

Guest
Show
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

The ProposalStream

Actor
Grace Paxton
Movie
2009
45%

In the Electric Mist

Actor
Bootsie Robicheaux
Movie
2009

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Actor
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Movie
2009

The Open RoadStream

Actor
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Movie
2009
29%

Four ChristmasesStream

Actor
Marilyn
Movie
2008
25%

Step BrothersStream

Actor
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55%

American Outrage

Narrator
Movie
2008

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

The Brave One

Actor
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Movie
2007

Nobel SonStream

Actor
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Movie
2007
26%

Elvis and Anabelle

Actor
Geneva
Movie
2007

30 RockStream

Guest Star
Diana Jessup
Series
2006
78%

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

Bye Bye Benjamin

Executive Producer
Show
2006

Inland Empire

Actor
Visitor #2
Movie
2006

The Dead Girl

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Movie
2006

Criminal MindsStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

Entertainment Tonight Canada

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The Martha Stewart Show

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Reality
2005

Robot ChickenStream

Guest Voice
Series
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The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School

Actor
Marianne Hotchkiss
Movie
2005

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

It Must Be Love

Actor
Clem Gazelle
Movie
2004

Capital City

Actor
Elaine Summer
Movie
2004

Romantic Comedy

Actor
Show
2003

Joan of Arcadia

Actor
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Series
2003
96%

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

ElfStream

Actor
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Movie
2003
85%

Hope SpringsStream

Actor
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Special
2003
25%

Casa de los Babys

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Movie
2003

Talking to Heaven

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Movie
2002

The Trumpet of the Swan

Voice
Louie's Mother
Movie
2001

Life as a HouseStream

Actor
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Movie
2001
47%

I Am SamStream

Actor
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Movie
2001
36%

Nobody's Baby

Actor
Estelle
Movie
2001

Curb Your EnthusiasmStream

Guest Star
Herself
Series
2000
92%

Entertainment Studios.com

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Show
2000

Picnic

Actor
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Movie
2000

Wish You Were Dead

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Sally Rider
Movie
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Grace Rinato
Series
1999
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Noah's Ark

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1999

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1999

BeckerStream

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Series
1998

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1998

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1997

Ink

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1996

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Gulliver's TravelsStream

Actor
Miniseries
1996

The Grass Harp

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Movie
1995

Powder

Actor
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NixonStream

Actor
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Movie
1995
75%

EllenStream

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Series
1994

Directed By

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1994

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1994

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Pontiac Moon

Actor
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1994

FrasierStream

Guest Star
Marjorie
Series
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95%

FrasierStream

Guest Voice
Marjorie
Series
1993
95%

Cityline

Guest
Show
1993

What's Eating Gilbert GrapeStream

Actor
Betty Carver
Movie
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90%

PhiladelphiaStream

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Belinda Conine
Movie
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81%

Back to the Future

Voice
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1991

The Butcher's Wife

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Movie
1991

Back to the Future Part IIIStream

Actor
Clara Clayton
Movie
1990
80%

The Long Walk Home

Narrator
Movie
1990

Miss Firecracker

Actor
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1989

ParenthoodStream

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Movie
1989
92%

The Attic: The Hiding of Anne FrankStream

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El Escondite de Ana Frank

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Movie
1988

End of the Line

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Froid comme la mort

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The Whales of August

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Invierno de Muerte

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Dead of Winter

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Julie Rose/Katie McGovern/Evelyn
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One Magic Christmas

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1985

Cross Creek

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1983

Romantic Comedy

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Movie
1983

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

Actor
Adrian
Movie
1982

RagtimeStream

Actor
Mother
Movie
1981
83%

Melvin and Howard

Actor
Lynda Dummar
Movie
1980
92%

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
News
1979

Time After TimeStream

Actor
Amy Robbins
Movie
1979
88%

Goin' South

Actor
Julia Tate/Moon
Movie
1978

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutMary Steenburgen

Mr. Mayor- Ted Danson + Mary Steenburgen
Q&A

Mary Steenburgen & Ted Danson on Teaming Up for ‘Mr. Mayor’

Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas

Can’t Miss Episode of the Week: ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’

The Cast of Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas

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Jon Hamm and Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm

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Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Season 2

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Jane Levy & Skylas Astin, 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist,' ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ Releases Cast While Search For New Home Continues, Featured Image

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Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist season 1

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Zoeys Extraordinary Playlist Mary Steenburgen
Preview

Mary Steenburgen on Casket Dancing in ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ (VIDEO)

Joan of Arcadia cast - Jason Ritter, Amber Tamblyn, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen, Michael Welch

Where Are the ‘Joan of Arcadia’ Stars Now, 15 Years Later?

Peter Gallagher Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
Preview

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’: Peter Gallagher on Mitch’s Decline & Dancing With Mary Steenburgen (VIDEO)

Peter Gallagher and Mary Steenburgen of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
Q&A

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’: He Said/She Said With Peter Gallagher & Mary Steenburgen

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist - Season Pilot

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Will Forte in The Last Man on Earth

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