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.

Known For

Back to the Future Part III

as Clara Clayton

The Help

as Elaine Stein

The Proposal

as Grace Paxton

Philadelphia

as Belinda Conine

Elf

as Emily

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

as Betty Carver

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Grace Rinato

Step Brothers

as Nancy Huff

Nightmare Alley

as Mrs. Kimball

Orange Is the New Black

as Delia Powell