Was a high-school cheerleader, and was voted Football Sweetheart and Miss Jacksonville Sweetheart in her senior year
Received a theater scholarship to the University of Michigan
After college, performed with Christopher Reeve in a 1974 Harvard Summer School Repertory Theater production of The Threepenny Opera
Performed with Actors Theatre of Louisville in 1982 and '83 before landing in New York, where her credits included the original production of Steel Magnolias ('87)
Had a small role in Lonesome Dove (1989); later TV credits include recurring roles in Dexter, 100 Centre Street and The Riches
Made movie debut in the 1990 Tom Cruise NASCAR action adventure Days of Thunder; other notable films include The Rocketeer ('91), Lorenzo's Oil ('92), Dead Man Walking ('95), Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Hannah Montana: The Movie ('09)
Earned a 2004 Tony nomination for her Broadway debut as Big Mama in a revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Awards
2020Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie:nominated
2016Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:winner
2015Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:winner
2014Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2013Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:nominated
2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:nominated
2011Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:winner