Marcia Gay Harden booked her first major Hollywood role, as a hard-boiled gangster moll in Miller's Crossing, at 30, after years of unsuccessful auditions for roles, including girl-next-door parts. It's when the actress came to an important realization.
"I was trying to be that, but I'm not the girl next door. That's really not my MO. That's not who I am," she says. As time proved, Harden, 64, is so much more: a versatile performer whose acting chops have earned her plaudits including an Oscar for playing painter Lee Krasner in the 2000 Jackson Pollock biopic Pollock, a Tony for her role in the Broadway comedy God of Carnage and an Emmy nomination for her turn as an acerbic reporter on The Morning Show. Lately she's also winning raves as an uptight attorney who hires her directionless son in the CBS comedy-drama So Help Me Todd, back for its second season on Feb. 15.
The actress, who finds peace in her pottery studio in upstate New York when she's not working, shares three children-Eulala, 25, and twins Julitta and Hudson, 19-with ex-husband Thaddaeus Scheel. Inspired by her kids, who all identify as queer, Harden has become a proud LGBTQ+ advocate. "I want for each of them to be seen for the beauty in who they are, to be loved and to be appreciated for their talent," she says.
Here Harden shares more life lessons she's learned.
My parents gave me the gift of curiosity.
This story is from the February 26, 2024 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 26, 2024 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
All About Tom Brady's Summer Plans & New TV Gig
Tom Brady is doing just fine in retirement - if you can call it that. On June 12 the former NFL quarterback, 46, was inducted into the New England Patriots' Hall of Fame.
Inside Billy Ray Cyrus's Divorceand Where Miley Stands
Just seven months after Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose said \"I do,\" their marriage has come to an end.
MISSY ELLIOTT'S SUPA DUPA NOW!
THE HIP-HOP SUPERSTAR REVEALS HOW SHE OVERCAME HEALTH ISSUES AND ANXIETY FOR A BIG RETURN TO THE SPOTLIGHT
MARIA SHARAPOVA - Still Winning!
JUGGLING NEW PURSUITS WITH RAISING SON THEODORE, THE TENNIS LEGEND OPENS UP ABOUT APPROACHING LIFE WITH THE SAME ENERGY SHE BROUGHT TO THE COURT
JUDE LAW MOVIES OF MY LIFE
HE'S PLAYED A ROGUE, A ROBOT, A SPY, A SEDUCER AND NOW A KING. JUDE LAW LOOKS BACK AT SOME OF HIS ALL-TIME FAVORITE ROLES
SANDY HOOK SURVIVORS GRADUATE 'The Sorrow Has to Live Within the Joy'
THEY WERE FIRST GRADERS WHEN A GUNMAN MURDERED 20 CLASSMATES. NOW THEY'RE ENTERING YOUNG ADULTHOOD FOREVER CHANGED BUT READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG WHAT I KNOW NOW
AS A NEW DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THE DESIGNER'S INFLUENCE ON FASHION AND CULTURE, SHE'S SHARING THE SOURCES OF HER INNER WISDOM
THE JOY OF BEING AMY POEHLER
THE INSIDE OUT 2 STAR ON PLAYING AN EMOTION, RAISING TEENS AND MAKING THE VERY MOST OF VACATION
Why I Believed Her
Sherri Papini faked her own abduction and torture and lied about it to authorities-and her husband for six years. Now Keith Papini speaks out
Princess Kate's Moment in the Spotlight
THE ROYAL MOM MADE A POWERFUL RETURN AT TROOPING THE COLOUR, RADIATING STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE ALONGSIDE HER FAMILY AS SHE CONTINUES TO UNDERGO CHEMOTHERAPY
