Julianna Margulies

About Julianna Margulies

Julianna Margulies, an accomplished American actress, was born on June 8th, 1966, in Spring Valley, New York. She is the youngest of three daughters. Her mother, Francesca, was a ballet dancer and eurythmy instructor, while her father, Paul, was a writer, philosopher, and advertising executive. Both parents were of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, with ancestors from Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Russia. They divorced when Margulies was just one year old.

In her memoir, "Sunshine Girl," Margulies shared that her parents were followers of anthroposophy. While she identifies ethnically as Jewish and shares its traditions with her son, Margulies has stated she does not personally hold religious beliefs. She once remarked that if she had a religion, it would be gratitude, appreciating the Jewish tradition of Shabbat as a time to transition from work to family and leisure. Her childhood was described in her memoir as loving but marked by instability and frequent moves. She lived in various locations, including Sussex, England, and Paris, France, where French was her first language, though she no longer speaks it fluently. Her upbringing involved many emotionally challenging experiences and attendance at numerous schools, including Green Meadow Waldorf School and High Mowing School.

Margulies earned a degree in art history and English from Sarah Lawrence College, where she also participated in theater productions. She initially considered becoming a lawyer or a psychologist but discovered a passion for acting.

Her acting career began with a role in Steven Seagal's 1991 film "Out for Justice." In 1994, Margulies secured a pivotal role as Carol Hathaway, an emergency room nurse who attempts suicide, in the pilot episode of the NBC medical drama "ER." The character's intended death was reversed due to positive audience reception, leading to her becoming a series regular. George Clooney, her co-star, encouraged her to hold out for the "ER" role, which proved wise. Margulies remained with the show for six seasons until 2000, earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1994 and receiving nominations every year thereafter. She was the sole main cast member to win an Emmy for her work on "ER" and garnered four Golden Globe nominations during her tenure.

Originally contracted for five years, Margulies extended her commitment to "ER" for a sixth season but made the difficult decision not to renew her contract further. She cited homesickness for New York after six years in Los Angeles and a desire to return to theater and pursue a leading role in "The Mists of Avalon" miniseries. She explained that she had worked hard to achieve the flexibility to take on theater roles for modest pay and expressed concern about her character's storylines becoming overly reliant on romance and deviating from her established traits. Despite a substantial offer from