Deirdre O'Connell
Known for
An American character actress born in Massachusetts, Deirdre O'Connell has a long and respected career across stage, film and television. On film she appeared in Michel Gondry's 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004) among many supporting roles. A celebrated theatre performer, she won a Tony Award for her one-woman Broadway show 'Dana H.'. Familiar from numerous television dramas, she brings weathered authenticity and emotional truth to her parts. A consummate character actress, she has built her reputation on precise, deeply felt supporting work.
Deirdre O'Connell
44 Movies
21 Series
An American character actress born in Massachusetts, Deirdre O'Connell has a long and respected career across stage, film and television. On film she appeared in Michel Gondry's 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004) among many supporting roles. A celebrated theatre performer, she won a Tony Award for her one-woman Broadway show 'Dana H.'. Familiar from numerous television dramas, she brings weathered authenticity and emotional truth to her parts. A consummate character actress, she has built her reputation on precise, deeply felt supporting work.
Movies
Plays Hollis
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2004
Plays Dawn Bodkin
Eddington
2025
Plays Mrs. Balford
City of Angels
1998
Plays Linda
St. Vincent
2014
Plays Mrs. Fuller
What Happens in Vegas
2008
Plays Isabelle Malley
Cool World
1992
Plays Gwyn
Dragonfly
2002
Plays Ellen's Mother
Synecdoche, New York
2008
Plays Helen
Secondhand Lions
2003
Plays Irene
State of Grace
1990
Plays Mrs. Gerber
Hearts in Atlantis
2001
Plays Anne
The Requin
2022
Plays Joyce
The Greatest
2009
Plays Ina the Tarot Reader
Apartment Troubles
2014
Plays Frowzy Woman
Being Flynn
2012
Plays Nellie
Tin Men
1987
Plays Sue the Waitress
Smoke
1995
Plays Dr. Gracia Scott
Lifeform
1996
Plays Donna Brady
A Dog Year
2009
Plays Hospital Staff
Socket
2007
Plays Mrs. Halsey
Brain Dead
1990
Plays Deb (voice)
Wendy and Lucy
2008
Plays Mrs. Braverman, Lenny's Teacher
Just Looking
1999
Plays Shanda Gage
Stars & Bars
1988
Plays Nan Gordon
Fearless
1993
Plays Lily
Straight Talk
1992
Plays Deirdre
Winter Passing
2006
Plays Beth
Detours
2016
Plays Rose Anderson
Lez Bomb
2018
Plays Marge Dwyer
Imaginary Heroes
2004
Plays Shelly
CrissCross
1992
Plays Cynthia
American Loser
2007
Plays Ellen
Leaving Normal
1992
Plays Donna
Diane
2019
Plays Inez Brice
Pastime
1990
Plays Assistant #2
Anna
1987
Plays Amy
The Boy Downstairs
2018
Plays Jane
Stephanie Daley
2007
Plays Sally Cutler
Falling from Grace
1992
Plays Meredith
Gabriel
2015
Plays Phyllis
Relative Evil
2001
TV Shows
Plays Shirley Crockmeyer
Second Noah
1996
Plays Suzanne Blum
L.A. Doctors
1998
Plays Heidi Schiller
Sirens
1993
Plays Francis Cobb
The Penguin
2024
Plays Athena Bailey
The Affair
2014
Plays Patricia Tillerson
Outer Range
2022
Plays Valerie Knight
Law & Order
1990
Plays Carol McGiddish
The Beast in Me
2025
Plays Helen
Nurse Jackie
2009
Plays Anna Nelson
Marvel's Daredevil
2015
Plays Debbie Macintosh
The Better Sister
2025
Plays Jenny Baldwin
The Practice
1997
Plays Eloise Hubbard
The Big Door Prize
2023
Plays Barbara Young
From the Earth to the Moon
1998
Plays Nina Lipton
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001
Plays Joan
Person of Interest
2011
Plays Liz Provenza
The Closer
2005
Plays Audrey Stewart
Madam Secretary
2014
Plays Sue Kelly
Unforgettable
2011
Plays Mary 'Crazy Mary' Heyman
The Bear
2022
Plays Kitty MacKay
American Playhouse
1982
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Made in Eddington
Full Filmography
The Better Sister
Debbie Macintosh · 2 episodes
2025
TV
The Beast in Me
Carol McGiddish · 4 episodes
2025–
TV
Eddington
Dawn Bodkin
2025
Film
Outer Range
Patricia Tillerson · 5 episodes
2022–2024
TV
The Penguin
Francis Cobb · 8 episodes
2024
TV
The Big Door Prize
Eloise Hubbard · 1 episode
2023
TV
The Bear
Mary 'Crazy Mary' Heyman · 1 episode
2022–
TV
Ghostwritten
Mary Laury
2022
Film
The Requin
Anne
2022
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Deirdre O'Connell and where are they from?
Deirdre O'Connell is 74 years old, born on December 30, 1951 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Deirdre O'Connell?
Deirdre O'Connell is best known for roles in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, What Happens in Vegas, City of Angels.
How many movies has Deirdre O'Connell been in?
Over a 39-year career (since 1987), Deirdre O'Connell has appeared in 44 movies and 21 TV shows.
What was Deirdre O'Connell's first movie?
The career of Deirdre O'Connell began with Tin Men (1987).
What is Deirdre O'Connell's most recent movie or series?
Deirdre O'Connell's most recent release is The Beast in Me, which premiered on November 13, 2025.
What TV shows has Deirdre O'Connell appeared in?
On television, Deirdre O'Connell has appeared in Marvel's Daredevil, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Person of Interest, The Bear.
Deirdre O'Connell
1951-12-30 · Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA
Deirdre O'Connell (born December 30, 1951) is an American character actress. She began her career at Stage One, an experimental theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts. She made her Broadway debut in the 1986 revival of The Front Page, and was nominated for the 1991 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in the off-Broadway production Love and Anger. She is the recipient of two Drama-Logue Awards and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her stage work in Los Angeles. O'Connell made her screen debut in Tin Men. Additional film credits include State of Grace, Straight Talk, Leaving Normal, Fearless, City of Angels, Hearts in Atlantis, Imaginary Heroes, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Wendy and Lucy, What Happens in Vegas, Secondhand Lions, and Synecdoche, New York. O'Connell's first television credit was Fernwood 2 Night in 1977. She was a regular on L.A. Doctors and has made numerous guest appearances on series such as Kate & Allie, Chicago Hope, Law & Order, The Practice, Six Feet Under, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Nurse Jackie. (Wikipedia)