Quick Facts
Born:
1961-07-18
Birthplace:
Evanston, Illinois, USA
Credits:
90 Total Roles
Elizabeth McGovern
Acting
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Biography
Elizabeth McGovern (born July 18, 1961) is an American film, television, and theater actress.
In 1980, while studying at Juilliard, McGovern was offered a part in her first film, Ordinary People, in which she played the girlfriend of troubled teenager Timothy Hutton.
The following year she completed her education as an actress at the American Conservatory Theatre and at The Juilliard School, and began to appear in plays, first Off-Broadway and later in famous theaters.
In 1981, she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Evelyn Nesbit in the film Ragtime.
In 1984, she starred in Sergio Leone's gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America as Robert De Niro's romantic interest, Deborah Gelly. In 1989, she played Mickey Rourke's girlfriend in Johnny Handsome, directed by Walter Hill, and the same year she appeared as a rebellious lesbian in Volker Schlöndorff's thriller The Handmaid's Tale.
In 1980, while studying at Juilliard, McGovern was offered a part in her first film, Ordinary People, in which she played the girlfriend of troubled teenager Timothy Hutton.
The following year she completed her education as an actress at the American Conservatory Theatre and at The Juilliard School, and began to appear in plays, first Off-Broadway and later in famous theaters.
In 1981, she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Evelyn Nesbit in the film Ragtime.
In 1984, she starred in Sergio Leone's gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America as Robert De Niro's romantic interest, Deborah Gelly. In 1989, she played Mickey Rourke's girlfriend in Johnny Handsome, directed by Walter Hill, and the same year she appeared as a rebellious lesbian in Volker Schlöndorff's thriller The Handmaid's Tale.
Known For
Kick-Ass
Mrs. Lizewski
Clash of the Titans
Marmara
Once Upon a Time in America
Deborah Gelly
The Commuter
Karen MacCauley
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Faith Sutton
Modern Family
California Mom (archive footage)
Woman in Gold
Judge Florence-Marie Cooper
Downton Abbey
Cora Crawley
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Talamasca: The Secret Order TV | Helen |
| 2025 | Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale MOVIE | Cora Crawley |
| 2025 | Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale MOVIE | Self |
| 2024 | And Mrs. MOVIE | Margaret |
| 2022 | Downton Abbey: A New Era MOVIE | Cora Crawley |
| 2019 | War of the Worlds TV | Helen Brown |
| 2019 | A Little Late with Lilly Singh TV | Self |
| 2019 | Downton Abbey MOVIE | Cora Crawley |
| 2019 | The Kelly Clarkson Show TV | Self |
| 2019 | JFK Jr. and Carolyn's Wedding: The Lost Tapes MOVIE | Self (archive footage) |