Raised in Akron, Ohio

At age five, saw "The Bishop's Wife" with Loretta Young and decided to become an actress

Worked as a secretary after graduating from high school in order to earn enough money to enroll in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC

Professional stage debut in the Off-Broadway production "In White America"

Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guidenstern Are Dead"

Was a member of the company of Trinity Square Players in Providence, Rhode Island

Spent one season with the Arena Stage in Washington, DC

Breakthrough stage role, the titular nun in Christopher Durang's biting "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You"

Feature film debut in "Pilgrim Farewell"

Originated role of Kate Jerome, a character based on the playwright's mother, in Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs"; earned first Tony Award nomination

Portrayed Alma Rudder on the NBC daytime drama "Another World"

Returned to films after a seven-year absence with small role in "The Secret of My Success"

Had title role in the "American Playhouse" presentation "Dottie", about an agoraphobic

Reprised part of Kate Jerome in "Broadway Bound", the second of Simon's autobiographical trilogy

Portrayed Matt Damon's mother in "School Ties"

First played Linda Loman opposite Hal Holbrook in "Death of a Salesman"

Received widespread praise for her portrayal of Linda Loman opposite Brian Dennehy in the 50th Anniversaty production of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"; play first produced in Chicago before transferring to Broadway; won Tony Award

Reprised Linda Loman in Showtime production of "Death of a Salesman"; earned Emmy nomination

Cast in the holiday comedy "Christmas with the Kranks" directed by Joe Roth