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Elizabeth McGovern

Birth Place: Evanston, IL, USA

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Elizabeth McGovern BIO

Academy Award-nominated actress Elizabeth McGovern is Cora, Countess of Grantham in the critically acclaimed series "Downton Abbey." The smash hit "Downton Abbey" wrapped its final season after winning multiple awards including Emmys, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. Elizabeth has been nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance as Lady Cora. While studying at The Juilliard School in New York City in 1980, Elizabeth was offered a part in her first movie, Ordinary People, starring opposite Timothy Hutton and directed by Robert Redford. She then went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Evelyn Nesbit in Milos Forman's Ragtime. In 1984, Elizabeth starred with Robert De Niro and James Woods in Sergio Leone's cult gangster movie Once Upon a Time in America, and later opposite Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome. Her recent film Unexpected, in which she stars opposite Cobie Smulders, premiered at Sundance, and she just finished shooting Showing Roots with Maggie Grace. Her other film credits include Buffalo Soldiers, King of the Hill, She's Having a Baby and Racing with the Moon. Since moving to England and starting a family of her own with husband Simon Curtis (director of My Week With Marilyn and Woman in Gold), Elizabeth continued to work in theatre and television. Born in Illinois, Elizabeth is also a singer-songwriter and has just recorded her third album, Still Waiting, with the band she formed and fronts, Sadie and the Hotheads. Sadie and the Hotheads have played the Isle of Wight and Hard Rock Calling Festival (Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon headlining) and have completed a mini tour with Mike and the Mechanics. She will next be seen opposite Liam Neeson in The Commuter.

Elizabeth McGovern Photos

Elizabeth McGovern STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2019
Performer

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company Revival, 2017
Mrs. Conway

[Broadway]
1992
Ophelia

[Broadway]
1989
Melissa Gardner [Replacement]


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Elizabeth McGovern News


Imelda Staunton Confirms Final DOWNTON ABBEY Movie


Imelda Staunton has confirmed that a final Downton Abbey film is in the works. Written by Julian Fellowes – who wrote the book for musicals like Mary Poppins and School of Rock – Downton Abbey has starred Harry Hadden-Paton, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, Dan Stevens, Maggie Smith, Dominic West, and more.

Dominic West to Star in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at Theatre Royal Bath


BAFTA Award winner Dominic West (The Wire, The Crown) will star in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, directed by Lindsay Posner at Theatre Royal Bath’s intimate Ustinov Studio. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Matthew Broderick, J. Smith-Cameron, Victor Garber, Brooke Shields & More Will Star in Encore Run of LOVE LETTERS at Irish Rep


An encore run of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, directed by Ciarán O’Reilly is set, following sold-out performances this past spring. The encore run will take place this fall, featuring five performances with Matthew Broderick, Talia Balsam, Victor Garbe, John Slattery & more.

Photos: First Look at Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick in LOVE LETTERS


Performances are underway for Irish Repertory Theatre's Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, directed by Ciarán O'Reilly (Endgame), starring Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti. Check out photos of the cast in action!

LOVE LETTERS Starring Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti Adds Performances at Irish Rep


Irish Repertory Theatre has added five additional performances for Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, directed by Ciarán O’Reilly (Endgame), starring Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti.

Review: AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS At The Geffen


Elizabeth McGovern gets downright gritty in a gutsy, full-blown exploration of one of Hollywood’s most meta-femmes fatales in AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS.

South Coast Repertory Presents World Premiere of AVAAZ


South Coast Repertory (Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei) brings you the story of the American journey through an Iranian American lens with the world premiere of avaaz by queer Iranian American playwright Michael Shayan. Directed by Tony Award-nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel (Hand to God), avaaz runs April 29-May 27 on the Segerstrom Stage.

Photos: First Look at Elizabeth McGovern in AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS


Get a first look at photos of Geffen Playhouse's U.S. premiere of Ava: The Secret Conversations.

Interview: Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel On Collaborating with Elizabeth McGovern's AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS


Next up at the Geffen Playhouse, the U.S. premiere of Ava: The Secret Conversations opening April 13, 2023 (with previews already begun). Elizabeth McGovern stars as Ava Gardner in this new play that she wrote. Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs Elizabeth and her co-stars Aaron Costa Ganis and Ryan W. Garcia. Moritz made some time between rehearsals to answer a few of my queries.

Gretchen Peters Announces UK Farewell Tour 2023 with Special Guest Kim Richey


Legendary singer, songwriter and performer GRETCHEN PETERS has announced what will be her final ever tour of the UK. Over 25 years since she first set foot on British stages, the Nashville-via-New-York star will be returning for one last hurrah as she confirms a Farewell Tour across the country throughout May 2023.

Matthew Broderick, Laura Benanti, Melissa Errico & David Staller to Lead THE LETTERS SERIES at Irish Rep


Irish Repertory Theatre will present The Letters Series, featuring Dear Liar by Jerome Kilty & George Bernard Shaw, directed by Charlotte Moore. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Elizabeth McGovern Will Lead AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS At Geffen Playhouse; Full Cast Announced!


Geffen Playhouse has announced the full cast for the U.S. premiere of Ava: The Secret Conversations, written by and featuring Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated Elizabeth McGovern (Once Upon a Time in America, Downton Abbey) as Ava Gardner, and directed by Tony Award-nominated Moritz von Stuelpnagel (Bernhardt/Hamlet, Present Laughter).

Review: TWELVE O'CLOCK TALES WITH AVA GARDNER at Whitefire Theatre


Alessandra Assaf, who enacts the Hollywood icon in 12 O’CLOCK TALES WITH AVA GARDNER, the play she has written with Michael Lorre, brings out all of the actress’s fire, charisma and messiness.

Review Roundup: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Theatre Royal Bath


Read the reviews for Theatre Royal Bath Productions' of Edward Albee's masterpiece Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Ustinov Studio in Bath.

Review: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, Ustinov Studio, Bath


Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is not an easy play to watch, rather a theatrical storm that must be endured with three contempt-filled acts making up a three and a half hour runtime.

2022 Year in Review: Cheryl Markosky's Best of 2022 - and Picks for 2023!


One of my favourite theatrical moments of the year at Theatre Royal Bath was Into the Woods: a trippy version of Stephen Sondheim's musical, thanks to Terry Gilliam's surreal Monty Python-esque imagination. This mind-bending show deserves space in the West End soon.

Dougray Scott Joins Elizabeth McGovern in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Theatre Royal Bath


Theatre Royal Bath Productions present Edward Albee's masterpiece Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Ustinov Studio in Bath from 13 January to 11 February 2023, directed by Lindsay Posner.

Elizabeth McGovern Will Lead WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Theatre Royal Bath


Theatre Royal Bath Productions present Edward Albee's masterpiece Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  starring Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey) and directed by Lindsay Posner, which will play Theatre Royal Bath from 13 January to 11 February 2023.

AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS Joins Geffen Playhouse's 2022/23 Season


Ava: The Secret Conversations will join the Geffen Playhouse 2022/2023 season lineup to complete the full season.

DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA Now Streaming Exclusively on Peacock


'Downton Abbey: A New Era' reunites the original principal cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton. In addition to the original cast, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West will join the cast.

Elizabeth McGovern FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Elizabeth McGovern been in?

Elizabeth McGovern has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Elizabeth McGovern been in?

Elizabeth McGovern has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Elizabeth McGovern's first West End show?

Elizabeth McGovern's first West End show was The Starry Messenger which opened in 2019

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