Mary McCormack

Mary McCormack (born February 8, 1969 ) is an American actress.

She has had leading roles as Justine Appleton on the series Murder One (1995–1997), as Deputy National Security Adviser Kate Harper on The West Wing (2004–2006), as Deputy U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon on In Plain Sight (2008–2012), and as Peggy on the comedy series The Kids Are Alright (2018–2019).

McCormack's film roles include Private Parts (1997), Deep Impact (1998), True Crime (1999), Mystery, Alaska (1999), K-PAX (2001), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), and 1408 (2007).

Early life and education McCormack was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Norah and William McCormack. Her sister Bridget is a now-retired chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and former professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School. Her brother William is an actor, writer and producer who has appeared in a recurring role as FBI agent Robert O'Connor on In Plain Sight.

In 1987, McCormack graduated from the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, New Jersey. In 1991, she received her bachelor of arts degree in comparative arts, specifically painting and creative writing, from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.

Career McCormack began her acting career at age 12, performing in Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. She continued her stage work in musicals and finished an acting program at the William Esper Studio.

McCormack portrayed Justine Appleton on Murder One (1995–1997) She starred in Howard Stern's movie Private Parts in 1997.

McCormack starred in the USA Network series In Plain Sight. She portrayed Mary Shannon, a deputy United States marshal attached to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, office of the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC), more commonly known as the Federal Witness Protection Program. On July 28, 2010, the show was renewed for its fourth and fifth seasons, to run in 2011 and 2012. The show was ended in 2011, making the fifth season its last. After its end, McCormack was cast as the lead in Kari Lizer's untitled comedy pilot on ABC.

McCormack was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for the role of Gretchen in the 2008 Broadway revival of Boeing Boeing.

McCormack appeared seven times as a guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. On her fourth visit in 2009, she gave the host, Craig Ferguson, a novelty coffee mug in the shape of a rattlesnake from the gift shop of the American International Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque. Ferguson promised to use this mug on all future shows and kept his promise. After his last show, he donated the mug back to the museum.

In 2012, McCormack reunited with the cast of The West Wing to film a video that served both as a reminder that U.S. voters should vote for nonpartisan candidates when they cast their ballots and as a video promoting McCormack's sister's ultimately successful judicial candidacy for the Michigan State Supreme Court.

In October 2013, McCormack started filming scenes for The Crash (previously titled A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island) alongside Frank Grillo, AnnaSophia Robb, Minnie Driver, Dianna Agron, John Leguizamo, Ed Westwick, Christopher McDonald and Maggie Q. The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah and Aaron Becker. The film had a direct-to-VOD and limited release on January 13, 2017, in North America.

In 2016, McCormack played a supporting role in the Amazon.com exclusive special An American Girl Story – Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas alongside Alyvia Alyn Lind, who played the title character.

In 2018, McCormack began starring in the ABC sitcom The Kids Are Alright as Catholic family matriarch Peggy Cleary. ABC canceled the series after one season.

In 2021, McCormack began starring in the Starz drama Heels as Willie Day, the protagonist's business partner. Starz canceled the series after two seasons.

Personal life In July 2003, McCormack married director and producer Michael Morris. Together they have three children.

McCormack and Morris are executive producers of the game show 25 Words or Less, hosted by Meredith Vieira. McCormack is a frequent celebrity panelist on the show, as are fellow executive producers Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky.

McCormack is the godmother of In Plain Sight co-star Fred Weller's daughter.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1994 Miracle on 34th Street Myrna Foy 1995 Backfire! Sarah Jackson 1997 Colin Fitz Lives! Moira Private Parts Alison Stern Fathers' Day Virginia Farrell Uncredited Sally 1998 Deep Impact Andrea Baker Harvest Agent Becka Anslinger 1999 Getting to Know You Leila Lee True Crime Michelle Ziegler Mystery, Alaska Donna Biebe Monique 2000 Other Voices Anna Anne Gun Shy Gloria Minetti-Nesstra East of A Daphne 2001 BigLove Phoebe Short film High Heels and Low Lifes Frances World Traveler Margaret K-PAX Rachel Powell 2002 Full Frontal Linda 2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Grace Finney 2005 Madison Bonnie McCormick 2006 Right at Your Door Lexi For Your Consideration Pilgrim Woman 2007 1408 Lily 2009 Streetcar Casting Director Short film 2012 Should've Been Romeo Ellen 2014 Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery Ms. Richards 2015 A Country Called Home Amanda 2016 An American Girl Story – Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas Kay Larkin 2017 The Crash Sarah Schwab Drone Ellen Wistin Alien Code Rebecca Stillman 2020 Unpregnant Debra Clarke 2025 Vicious Mother

Television Year Title Role Notes 1994 Law & Order Rickie Episode: "Doubles" 1995 Beth Eckhart Episode: "Family Matters" 1995–1997 Murder One Justine Appleton Main role; 41 episodes 1997 Murder One: Diary of a Serial Killer Justine Appleton TV mini-series 2001 More, Patience Patience More TV movie 2002 Julie Lydecker Julie Lydecker 2003 K Street Maggie Morris Main role; 10 episodes 2003, 2006 ER Debbie Recurring role; 6 episodes 2004 Traffic Carole McKay TV mini-seriesNominated – Prism Award for Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries (2005) 2004–2006 Kate Harper Recurring role (season 5); main role (seasons 6–7); 48 episodesNominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2005, 2006) 2008 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon Episode: "Contract" 2008–2012 In Plain Sight Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon Lead role; 61 episodesNominated – Prism Award for Performance in a Drama Episode (2009) 2013 Welcome to the Family Caroline Yoder Main role; 5 episodes Escape from Polygamy Leann TV movie 2014 Scandal Lisa Elliot Episode: "The State of the Union" The Newsroom Molly 2 episodes 2015 House of Lies Denna Altshuler Recurring role; 7 episodes 2016 Divorce Kathy DeSantis Episode: "Weekend Plans" 2016–2017 Chelsea Herself Recurring role; 8 episodes 2016–2017 Angie Tribeca Abigail Liukin Recurring role; 3 episodes 2017 When We Rise Roberta Kaplan TV mini-series Loaded Casey Main role; 8 episodes 2018–present 25 Words or Less Herself Recurring guest, also executive producer 2018 Falling Water Taylor Bennett Recurring role; 8 episodes 2018–2019 Will & Grace Janet Adler 2 episodes 2018 For the People Chloe Daniels Episode: "The Library Fountain" 2018–2019 The Kids Are Alright Peggy Cleary Main role, 23 episodes 2019 Into the Dark Lilith Episode: "Treehouse" 2021–2023 Heels Willie Day Main role, 16 episodes 2026 The Pitt Dr. Linda Conley 2 episodes

+ As a producer Year Title Notes 2010 In Plain Sight Episode: "Father Goes West"

Theater