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Mary Steenburgen: From 'Melvin and Howard' to Hollywood Legend
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Mary Steenburgen is an Academy Award-winning American actress, comedian, singer, and songwriter born on February 8, 1953, in Newport, Arkansas. Known for her versatile roles in film and television, Steenburgen rose to prominence after her breakthrough performance in the 1980 film "Melvin and Howard," for which she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

 

Mary Steenburgen's Early Arkansas Roots

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Mary Nell Steenburgen was born on February 8, 1953, in Newport, Arkansas, to Nellie Mae Wall, a school-board secretary, and Maurice Hoffman Steenburgen, a freight-train conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad
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Growing up in a modest household, Steenburgen developed a love for the arts at a young age. Her mother enrolled her in dance lessons when she was just four years old, and young Mary soon found herself performing for hospitalized veterans and on local television programs
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Steenburgen's passion for performing arts continued to grow throughout her childhood and teenage years. She was an avid reader and often acted out scenes from books or movies, either alone or with friends
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Her first stage appearance came as a high school senior at North Little Rock's Northeast High School, where she portrayed Emily in "Our Town"
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This early exposure to theater sparked a lifelong passion that would eventually lead her to pursue acting professionally. After graduating high school in 1971, Steenburgen briefly attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, before moving to New York City in 1972 to study acting at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre
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Breakthrough Role in 'Goin' South'

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Mary Steenburgen's breakthrough role came in 1978 when Jack Nicholson cast her as the female lead in his Western comedy film "Goin' South"
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Nicholson discovered Steenburgen in the reception room of Paramount's New York office and offered her the role of Julia Tate Moon, a spinster who saves Nicholson's character from the gallows by marrying him
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Despite the film's limited success, Steenburgen's performance was highly praised, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and launching her career in Hollywood
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  • The role was Steenburgen's professional acting debut after studying at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse
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  • Her performance in "Goin' South" led to another leading role in the science fiction film "Time After Time" (1979), further establishing her as a rising talent
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  • Steenburgen has credited Nicholson with jumpstarting her career, stating, "I do owe pretty much everything" to him for this opportunity
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Mary Steenburgen (Photos)

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Mary Steenburgen's Notable Film Roles

Mary Steenburgen has had a prolific career spanning over four decades, showcasing her versatility in both film and television. Here's a concise overview of some of her notable works:
YearFilm/TV ShowRole
1978Goin' SouthJulia Tate Moon
1980Melvin and HowardLynda Dummar
1989ParenthoodKaren Buckman
1993PhiladelphiaBelinda Conine
2003ElfEmily Hobbs
2009The ProposalGrace Paxton
2011The HelpElaine Stein
2015-2018The Last Man on EarthGail Klosterman
2018Book ClubCarol Colby
2020Zoey's Extraordinary PlaylistMaggie Clarke
Steenburgen's filmography demonstrates her ability to excel in various genres, from comedies like "Elf" to dramas like "Philadelphia"
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Her television work has also been significant, with recurring roles in popular series such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Good Place"
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Academy Award for 'Melvin and Howard'

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Mary Steenburgen's career reached new heights with her role as Lynda Dummar in Jonathan Demme's 1980 film "Melvin and Howard." Her portrayal of the go-go dancer married to the hapless dreamer Melvin Dummar earned her critical acclaim and industry recognition
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For this performance, Steenburgen won both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
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The film, inspired by the real-life story of Melvin Dummar's alleged encounter with Howard Hughes, showcased Steenburgen's ability to bring depth and charm to her character
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Her win at the 53rd Academy Awards ceremony solidified her status as a rising star in Hollywood and opened doors to more diverse and challenging roles in the years that followed
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This early success in her third film role set the stage for a long and varied career in both film and television.
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Mary Steenburgen Interviews (Videos)

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Mary Steenburgen's Personal Life

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Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson tied the knot on October 7, 1995, on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, after meeting on the set of the film "Pontiac Moon" in 1993
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Their star-studded wedding was attended by notable guests including Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, and then-President Bill Clinton
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The couple's enduring marriage has become a rarity in Hollywood, spanning nearly three decades.
  • They have a blended family, with Steenburgen bringing two children from her previous marriage to Malcolm McDowell, and Danson bringing two daughters from his prior marriage
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  • The couple often expresses their deep love and admiration for each other publicly, with Danson describing their relationship as "heaven on Earth"
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  • Steenburgen and Danson have collaborated on several projects, including appearances in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Good Place"
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How did Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen meet initially
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