Marcia Cross is a well-known American actress who gained notoriety for playing the psychotic doctor Dr. Kimberly Shaw in the famous TV series “Melrose Place.” When she played Bree Van De Kamp in the hugely popular dramedy TV series “Desperate Housewives,” her popularity soared to new heights. She had a minor part to play as Liz Correll in the soap opera “The Edge of Night,” which served as the catalyst for the beginning of her career. She didn’t get any significant employment until she moved to Los Angeles. Later, she made six TV features, including “The Last Days of Frank” and “Jessie James.” She first made a cameo appearance in “Knots Landing” after playing Kate Sanders in “One Life to Live.” She appeared in a number of dramas and films before landing her career-changing position in “Desperate Housewives.” Her inclusion on a list of the best-paid TV actresses published by Forbes at one point was due to her performance as Bree Van De Kamp. For the same part, she was also nominated for a number of TV honors. She is presently starring in the popular thriller “Quantico” as President Claire Haas.
Early Youth & Life
Janet and Mark Cross welcomed Marcia Anne Cross into the world on March 25, 1962, in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Of the couple’s three children, she is the middle child. Her mother was a teacher, and her father oversaw people.
She has always had a passion for acting, and her teacher gave her the encouragement to continue it. In the sixth grade, she made her acting debut in the school production “The Witch of Blackbird Pond.”
She graduated from Marlborough High School in 1980, and on a half-scholarship, she enrolled at The Juilliard School in Manhattan, New York City. She finished her studies in the performing arts and received a B.F.A. in Acting in 1984.
The career of Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross participated in a number of theatrical and television productions. In 1984, she made her television debut in “The Edge of Darkness.” She appeared in the 1985 television movie “Brass,” costarring with Carroll O’Connor.
In 1986, she was cast as Lynn Erskine in the crime drama “Pros & Cons,” where she received her first leading part. She collaborated with well-known Hollywood figures like June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson in the same year’s television film, “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James.” She also made appearances in the serial operas “Another World” and “One Life to Live” that same year.
In 1988, she was paired with Tim Daly in the depressing love story thriller “Almost Grown.” The channel never picked up the pilot episode of the program. The program is still highly regarded by its viewers, though.
In the comedy “Cheers,” Cross made a cameo as Rebecca Howe’s seductive sister. Her subsequent endeavor was the thriller “Bad Influence,” in which she portrayed Ruth Fielding in 1990.
In 1991, she played Victoria Broyelard in the well-known evening television series “Knots Landing.”
Her fame peaked after she was chosen to play Dr. Kimberly Shaw in the hit TV series “Melrose Place,” which premiered in 1992. Her character in the show experiences intriguing plot twists like adultery, kidnapping a child, and even setting a home on fire. Even after her death sequence, her character was brought back because she was so well-liked by the public.
In 1997, Cross made her next appearance in the sitcom “Seinfeld,” where she portrayed Dr. Sara Sitarides in one episode, and in “Ned & Stacey,” where she played Diana Huntley in three episodes.
Cross made the decision to study psychology in 1997. In 2003, she graduated with a master’s in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. She did, however, make a few cameos in movies and TV programs.
Her 2000 movie “Dancing in September” received positive reviews, and her strong performance there helped her land the lead part in the 2001 movie “Living in Fear.”
Cross returned to performing full-time in 2002, making her television acting debut as Dr. Linda Abbott in the drama “Everwood.”
After leaving “Everwood,” Cross moved on to “Desperate Housewives,” one of America’s most popular programs, where she would play a career-changing role in 2004. Cross was nominated for several awards that year and went on to take home a few of them for her superb depiction of the meticulous housewife Bree Van De Kamp.
President Claire Haas, played by Marcia Cross, is a recurrent character in the Quantico television series.
Major Works of Marcia Cross
Cross must have featured in a lot of TV shows, but “Melrose Palace” is the one that made her famous. She received a lot of praise for her act and quickly became a fan favorite.
Her professional ascent was boosted by the popularity of the television program “Desperate Housewives.”
Personal Influence & Life
Marcia Cross dated the 25 years her elder actor Richard Jordan. When Jordan died in 1993 from a brain tumor, their love affair was put to an abrupt end.
In 2006, she wed financier Tom Mahoney. Eden and Savannah, the couple’s fraternal twin girls, were born in 2007 as a result of Cross getting IVF.
Marcia Cross Net Worth
Trivia
The first major drama in which Marcia Cross had a significant part was “Melrose Place,” which is regarded as one of the top TV shows of the 1990s.
At the 2005 Emmy Awards, Cross received the “Most Beautiful Individual” award.
Cross appeared in People Magazine’s 2008 ranking of the “100 Most Beautiful People.”
She regularly participates in the Revlon Run/Walk, a fundraising event for breast cancer research.
Cross, who has battled headaches since she was a teenager, also serves as an ambassador for GlaxoSmithKline’s migraine treatment.