Elizabeth McGovern

Elizabeth Lee McGovern (born July 18, 1961) is an award-winning American actress and musician. Over the span of her career, McGovern has received many accolades, including nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and an Academy Award. Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, McGovern spent her formative years in Los Angeles. She is an alumna of the esteemed American Conservatory Theater and the Juilliard School. She made her film debut with 'Ordinary People' (1980) and earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as Evelyn Nesbit in 'Ragtime' (1981). Over the years, she played lead roles in major films like 'Once Upon a Time in America' (1984), 'She's Having a Baby' (1987), 'The Bedroom Window' (1987), 'The Handmaid's Tale' (1990), and 'The Wings of the Dove' (1997).

In addition to acting, McGovern pursued her passion for music and formed the band 'Sadie and the Hotheads' after studying guitar for several years. Since 2016, they have released four albums. She gained further international recognition playing Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, in the popular British drama series 'Downton Abbey' (2010–2015), a role she later reprised in film adaptations of the series in 2019 and 2022. McGovern’s career, thus, stands as a testament to her impressive range as an artist, seamlessly transitioning between acting and music while leaving a significant mark in both fields.