It’s hard to describe the immense talent of Frances McDormand. Her charisma seems to come from an ethereal layer just under the skin. She is a pure fount of powerful intention. McDormand accesses and projects with an effortless ease. A lift of an eyebrow, a stony glare, or a goofy word, and the scene becomes enchanted with her being. McDormand is absolutely thrilling to watch in action, and her interesting choices in roles make her truly one of ‘The Greats.’
Humble Beginnings
Born June 23, 1957, as Cynthia Ann Smith, she kept her birth name for a little over a year of her life. Upon her adoption by Noreen and Vernon McDormand, her name was changed to Frances Louise McDormand. She was one of three adopted children in her nuclear family.
They moved frequently throughout her childhood and finally put down roots in Monessen, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at Bethany College in West Virginia. From there, she attended Yale School of Drama and earned a Masters in Fine Arts.
McDormand’s Early Work
After her graduation, McDormand took to the stage. Her first official career role was in Derek Walcott’s The Last Carnival. The play ran in Trinidad, but McDormand was back in the States by 1983 to audition for Blood Simple.
Frances McDormand in “Blood Simple,” released in 1984 and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Photo courtesy of Circle Films.
In the debut film for Joel and Ethan Cohen, McDormand found herself in fantastic company. The film was a critical success, along with her collaboration with the Coen brothers. A year after its release, McDormand married Joel Coen. She would continue to work professionally with her husband to laude acclaim on many projects.
Her early career continued in film, television, and on stage. McDormand appeared in various television shows, including a season of Hill Street Blues in 1985. She even starred in the 1986 “Need to Know” episode of The Twilight Zone. In 1987, McDormand portrayed Dot, in Raising Arizona (Coen Brothers), once again with her husband, as well as her college roommate, Holly Hunter.
Her First Tony Award
Frances McDormand’s first major critical nod came in after her 1988 performance as Stella Kowalski in a stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The actress was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. McDormand would continue to light up the stage throughout her career.
McDormand’s second major award recognition came just a year later in 1989. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Mississippi Burning, directed by Alan Parker. Geena Davis took the win, but McDormand’s time would soon come. She continued to work hard, starring in many films. In 1993, she starred in Short Cuts, directed by Robert Altman. Her work would contribute to two Ensemble Awards. One from the Venice Film Festival and the other from the fifty-first Golden Globe Awards.
Frances McDormand and Aidan Quinn in a 1988 production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” on Broadway at the Circle In The Square theater.
To Fargo and Beyond
McDormand’s most iconic role hit the silver screens in 1996, when she starred in the Coen Brother’s murderous comedy, Fargo. In a role that can only be described as quirky perfection, McDormand smashed it out of the park as Chief Marge Gunderson.
The actress portrayed a very pregnant, and equally clever, chief of police for the small town of Fargo, Minnesota. As a result, her performance turned heads in the film community. Thus, it put her on the list as one of the great female actresses of her day. McDormand deservedly won her first Academy Award, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress, for this performance.
McDormand’s success would continue, and she was now established as a stage and screen actress who had true range. She would continue to be nominated for numerous Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for her roles in films such as Almost Famous (2000) and North Country (2005).
In Burn After Reading (2008), another collaboration with her husband, McDormand would receive a Golden Globe nomination for her comedic turn portraying Linda Litzke. McDormand has fabulous comedic timing and chemistry with her co-stars, Brad Pitt and Richard Jenkins throughout the film.
Frances McDormand as Chief Marge Gunderson in “Fargo,” released in 1996 and co-starring William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi. Photo courtesy of Gramercy Pictures.
The Winnings Continue
McDormand’s next most notable recognition came from her work on stage. She starred in a limited engagement play, by David Lindsay-Abaire titled Good People. In it, she played Margie, a single mother of a handicapped child, living paycheck to paycheck in Boston. McDormand won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play.
Her next feat was winning a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, as well as the Screen Actor’s Guild Award, for her work in Olive Kitteridge. Since she both starred and co-produced this mini-series, she also took home the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series.
Joining The Triple Crown Of Acting
As a result of her win in Oliver Kitteridge, McDormand joined the ranks of only twelve other actors. This club belonged to those who won all three of the most prestigious awards in acting; an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and an Emmy Award. Her peers in this achievement include Viola Davis, Maggie Smith, and Geoffrey Rush, just to name a few.
Unstoppable Talent
McDormand proved to be an unstoppable force of talent. Her amazing ability to transform into an amazing character won her another Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture in 2017. All this for her role as Mildred Hayes in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Linda (Frances McDormand) conspiring with her co-workers, Chad (Brad Pitt) and Ted (Richard Jenkins) in “Burn After Reading,” released in 2008. Photo courtesy of Focus Features.
In 2020, McDormand surpassed all other actresses in Academy Awards when she won another two Oscars. Both for her work on the film Nomadland. She received the Best Actress Award and the Best Picture Award for her work as a producer. The film also won BAFTA and Golden Globes for Best Picture.
A Feminist With Talent
With a stunning career, Frances McDormand is also a bit of a character and a self-proclaimed feminist. She rejects Hollywood stereotypes of beauty and pushes hard for equality for women in show business. During her 2017 Academy Award acceptance speech, she asked the other female nominees to stand up and be recognized. She validated their work and their deserved funding.
McDormand finished the speech with two words, “Inclusion Rider.” This is a term for when an actor’s contract requires diversity in the cast and staff. It is a tool that in-demand actors can use to improve opportunities for others.
McDormand’s acceptance speech was a call to arms. The world was intrigued. The Washington Post noted that after her speech, Merriam-Webster Tweeted the following: “Inclusion’ is our top search on the night, followed by ‘cinematography,’ ‘in memoriam,’ ‘feminism,’ and ‘rider.’”
McDormand is the titular character in “Olive Kitteridge,” released in 2014 on the HBO network. Photo courtesy of HBO.
Adding to her outspoken take on feminism and inclusion, McDormand chooses complex and empowering roles. She dodges the male-centric nonsense, taking on heroes that women can identify with. Her physical choices are simple, plain-faced, and real. For women who may not fit into the perfection of a Hollywood standard, McDormand shows that beauty truly can run deeper.
Successful Matrimony
McDormand carries her famous marriage to Joel Coen with strength and affection. They have raised a son together. Pedro McDormand Coen was adopted at six months of age in 1995. He attended the 2018 Academy Awards alongside his father. There to support their venerated matriarch. McDormand spoke fondly of her husband and son during her acceptance speech:
“These two stalwart individuals were well-raised well by their feminist mothers. They value themselves, each other, and those around them. I know you are proud of me. And that fills me with everlasting joy.”
Fury is personified as Mildred. McDormand faces off with the bigoted Dixon, played beautifully by Sam Rockwell in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017). Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures.
In Conclusion
An unfathomable wealth of talent and energy, Frances McDormand is a gift to us all. She runs circles around the wannabe Hollywood with pure hard work and wise choices. A hero to women everywhere and absolute magic to watch on the screen, let’s tip our hats to Frances McDormand.
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