Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman (born December 9, 1962) is an American film and television actress, winner of a Golden Globe and nominated to an Academy Award.

Biography

Early life

Huffman was born in Bedford, New York. Her parents divorced a year after her birth, and she was raised mostly by her mother. She graduated from The Putney School in Vermont. After high school she went on to NYU where she graduated in 1988 Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama.

Career

Huffman's work has included roles in the television dramedy Sports Night as well as guest starring roles on Frasier and The West Wing. She is best known for her work on the television series Desperate Housewives, where she stars as Lynette Scavo. The role won her an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as two 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Actress - Comedy Series and part of Best Ensemble - Comedy Series. Many insiders and predictors considered her a darkhorse for the Emmy since she submitted the pilot episode which showcased a much more comedic Huffman than the balance of drama and comedy that the show contained.

On the big screen, Huffman has appeared in films like Raising Helen opposite Kate Hudson and John Corbett and Christmas with the Kranks opposite Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis.

In 2005, she starred as a male-to-female transsexual in the film Transamerica. Her performance was praised by critics, garnering her a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and a win for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama award. She was subsequently asked to join the Academy as a voting member along with other entertainers such as Dakota Fanning and Dolly Parton

Private life

Huffman is married to actor William H. Macy, with whom she has two daughters, Sofia Grace and Georgia Grace. She has also appeared in a couple of shows and movies with her husband, such as the TV show Sports Night and the movie Magnolia.

In 2005, she revealed that she had suffered from both anorexia and bulimia in her teenage years, but was able to overcome those conditions.

She is a huge fan of Tina Turner and her dream was to be a back-up singer for her. When Huffman was on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey surprised her with a visit from Tina Turner where the two got to sing together.

Filmography

2007: Georgia Rule (filming)
2005: Transamerica as Sabrina 'Bree' Osbourne
2004: Christmas with the Kranks as Merry
2004: Raising Helen as Lindsay Davis
2003: House Hunting as Sheila
1999: Magnolia as Cynthia
1997: The Spanish Prisoner as Pat McCune
1995: Hackers as Prosecuting Attorney
1991: Golden Years as Terry Spann
1990: Reversal of Fortune as Minnie, Dershowitz's Student Staff
1988: Things Change as The Wheel of Fortune Girl

Awards & nominations

Academy Awards

2006: nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Transamerica

Golden Globe Awards

2006: won for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama -- Transamerica
2006: nominated for Television, Best Actress, Comedy/Musical -- Desperate Housewives
2005: nominated for Best Actress in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical -- Desperate Housewives
2000: nominated for Best Actress in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical -- Sports Night

Emmy Awards

2005: won for Best Actress in a Comedy Series -- Desperate Housewives

Independent Spirit Awards

2006: won for Best Female Lead -- Transamerica

National Board of Review

2005: won for Best Actress -- Transamerica

Screen Actors Guild Awards

2006: won for Best TV Actress in a Comedy Series -- Desperate Housewives
2006: nominated for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Leading Role -- Transamerica

External links