Frances Conroy – Bio, Awards, List of Movies and TV Shows

Quick Facts

Frances Conroy is a familiar face in Hollywood. The iconic actress is best known for her role in Six Feet Under where she played the character of Ruth Fisher. Over the years, the award-winning American actress has displayed an amazing versatility and extraordinary depth with a quiet serenity that makes her mysterious and even intriguing. Keep reading to learn all there is to know about the talented actress.

Frances Conroy – Bio

Frances Conroy was born on the 13th of November, 1953 to Ossie Hardman and Vincent Paul Conroy. She attended High School in Long Island and was a student at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The young Frances was encouraged by her parents to explore theatre and her artistic passions; this led her to become a member of The Mermaid Players – a student theatre organization, while at Dickinson College. She also appeared in her college’s theatrical productions. She then moved to New York where she studied drama at the Juilliard School and the Neighborhood Playhouse. While at Juilliard, she was taught by some giants of theatre such as Marian Seldes and John Houseman.

List Of Movies And TV Shows

Frances Conroy’s film appearances began in the late 70s, starting with her debut role in Manhattan, the 1979 classic. However, her Broadway debut was made in 1980 with The Lady from Dubique. She then went on to perform in plays such as Our Town where she played Mrs. Gibbs and The Little Foxes where she played Birdie. She also appeared in The Summer House, Ring ‘Round The Moon, and a Bright Room Called Day.

The actress relocated to California in 1985 where she appeared in more plays such as Richard III. She also landed roles in several Films and TV shows including in Another Woman (1988), Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Cosby in 1998.

Later, in 2001, the actress got the career-changing role of Ruth Fisher in Six Feet Under. This was the role that brought her into the limelight and built her fan base. For her performance in the show, she won a Golden Globe, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and was nominated four times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Awards.

In 2008, Frances Conroy landed a guest role in Desperate Housewives as Virginia Hildebrand. Throughout her career, she has landed numerous guest appearances including a recurring role in How I Met Your Mother as Barney Stinson’s Mother, Loretta Stinson. She also played the recurring role of Peggy Haplin in Happy Town. In 2013, she was a guest star on Royal Pains where she played Blythe Ballad.

In 2011, she landed the role of Moira O’Hara in the drama series, American Horror Story. This role earned her a fifth nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. Without a doubt, it is one of her most iconic roles.

Some of her film roles include Welcome to Happiness (2015), a voice role in 2016’s Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz, and the 2016 American comedy – No Pay, Nudity. In 2018, she played Jane Graham in the movie, The Tale.

Awards

Frances Conroy has been nominated for and won numerous awards throughout her acting career. She has been nominated four times for the Drama Desk Awards, which she won once. For her role in Six Feet Under, she was awarded the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama in 2004.

The talented actress has also won an Obie Award and has been nominated nine times for the OFTA Television Award in different categories. In 2003, she won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.

Not surprisingly, Frances Conroy has been nominated for one Tony Award, one Saturn Award, and six SAG Awards, of which she won three. She has also been nominated for four Drama Desk Awards, winning once.

Some of her stage awards include her Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, which she won for her role in Othello, and her Obie Awards in the category of Distinguished Performance by an Actress for her role in The Last Yankee.

Family – Husband & Kids

In 1992, Frances Conroy married her husband, Jan Munroe, and they have been married ever since. The couple, who currently do not have any children, seem blissfully happy after decades together.

Speaking of family, it was revealed that Frances Conroy’s mother suffered from dementia and the actress took care of her until her death in 1997.

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