Grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois

Began acting in high school productions

Appeared on stage with Goodman Theatre in "All the Way Home", "Oh! What a Lovely War", and "Caesar and Cleopatra"

TV debut in episode of "Judd For the Defense"

TV-movie debut, "The Whole World is Watching"

Screen debut, "Rabbit, Run"

Won critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for "Diary of a Mad Housewife"

Took hiatus from acting to raise her son

Resumed acting career in Detroit production of "Vanities"

Returned to screen in "The Fury"

Co-starred opposite Clint Eastwood in "Pale Rider"

Appeared in "The Chill Factor"

Played the mother of Allan Pinkerton in the TNT original "The Rose and the Jackal"

Was featured in the acclaimed indie "The Ballad of Little Jo"

Played the mother of rodeo performer Lane Frost in the biopic "8 Seconds"

Had change of pace role as a serial killer in the USA Network film "Death Benefit"

Appeared in "Wild Things"

Had cameo role as a book publisher in "Bartleby"

Played a feisty older woman in the horror flick "The Forsaken"