Trained in the theater before making the leap to the screen, American actress Mary McDonnell burst onto film with two roles that each earned her an Oscar nomination: the captive Stands With A Fist in 'Dances with Wolves' and the paralyzed writer of 'Passion Fish'. Her serene face and contained authority made her an unforgettable presence in television science fiction as President Laura Roslin in 'Battlestar Galactica', in addition to playing the first lady in 'Independence Day' and the mother in 'Donnie Darko'. She consolidated her television career as Captain Sharon Raydor in 'The Closer' and its spin-off 'Major Crimes', and in 2023 added Madeline Usher in the miniseries 'The Fall of the House of Usher'. Her range combines moral firmness and an emotional depth that dignifies every character she plays. Read more