Mary Steenburgen

Biography

Mary Nell Steenburgen (born February 8, 1953) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and songwriter. After studying at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse in the 1970s, she made her professional acting debut in the Western comedy film Goin' South (1978). Steenburgen went on to earn critical acclaim for her role in Time After Time (1979) and Jonathan Demme's comedy-drama film Melvin and Howard (1980), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Notable films

Where to start

Highlights from credits and KinoChain journeys.

Step Brothers

Appears in a KinoChain journey

The Proposal

As Grace Paxton

The Help

As Elaine Stein

Back to the Future Part III

As Clara Clayton

Elf

As Emily

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

As Betty Carver

Inland Empire

As Visitor #2

Noah's Ark

As Naamah

Related people

Collaborators & neighbours

• 

  Danny DeVito

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  Will Ferrell

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  John Goodman

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  Ernie Hudson

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  Octavia Spencer

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  Craig T. Nelson

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  John C. Reilly

  Shared 2 credits

• 

  Ian Abercrombie

  Shared 2 credits

Acted

Book Club: The Next Chapter

2023 · Carol

The Help

2011 · Elaine Stein

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

2009 · Emma Wheeler

The Proposal

2009 · Grace Paxton

In the Electric Mist

2009 · Bootsie Robicheaux

Step Brothers

2008 · Nancy Huff

Numb

2007 · Dr. Blaine

Nobel Son

2007 · Sarah Michaelson

Elvis & Anabelle

2007 · Geneva Leigh

Inland Empire

2006 · Visitor #2

Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School

2006 · Marienne Hotchkiss

Elf

2003 · Emily

Noah's Ark

1999 · Naamah

About Sarah

1998 · Sarah Elizabeth McCaffrey

Nixon

1995 · Hannah Nixon

Clifford

1994 · Sarah Davis

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

1993 · Betty Carver

Back to the Future Part III

1990 · Clara Clayton

Parenthood

1989 · Karen Buckman

Ragtime

1981 · Mother