McDormand was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of three children adopted by Canadian parents Vernon McDormand.
McDormand's film debut was in Joel and Ethan Coen's first film, 1985's Blood Simple. In 1985, McDormand, the Coen brothers, Holly Hunter, and director Sam Raimi shared a house in the Bronx.

In addition to her early film roles, McDormand played "Connie Chapman" in the fifth season of the television police drama Hill Street Blues. In 1988, she played Stella Kowalski in a stage production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire.
McDormand appeared in several theatrical and television roles during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. In 1988, she was nominated for a Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Mississippi Burning; in 1996, she won the Academy award for in Fargo; in 2000, she earned her second nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Almost Famous.

In 2006, McDormand received her third Best Supporting Actress nod for her performance in 2005's North Country. She also had a role in the film Friends with Money.

Public Name: Frances McDormand
Birth Name: Frances McDormand
Date of Birth: June 23, 1957
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Filmography

• Burn After Reading (2008)
• Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)
• "The Simpsons" (1 episode, 2006)
• Friends with Money (2006)
• Aeon Flux (2005)
• North Country (2005)
• Precinct Hollywood (2005) (TV)
• Last Night (2004)
• Something's Gotta Give (2003)
• City by the Sea (2002)
• Laurel Canyon (2002)
• Upheaval (2001)
• "State of Grace" (2001) TV Series
• The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
• Almost Famous (2000)
• Wonder Boys (2000)
• Talk of Angels (1998)
• Madeline (1998)
• Johnny Skidmarks (1998)
• Paradise Road (1997)
• Hidden in America (1996) (TV)
• Lone Star (1996)
• Primal Fear (1996)
• Fargo (1996)
• Plain Pleasures (1996)
• Palookaville (1995)
• Beyond Rangoon (1995)
• Talking with (1995) (TV)
• The Good Old Boys (1995) (TV)
• Bleeding Hearts (1994)
• Short Cuts (1993)
• Crazy in Love (1992) (TV)
• Passed Away (1992)
• Sôsei kishi Gaiarth (1992)
• The Butcher's Wife (1991)
• Hidden Agenda (1990)
• Miller's Crossing (1990)
• Darkman (1990)
• Chattahoochee (1989)
• Mississippi Burning (1988)
• "Leg Work" (7 episodes, 1987)
• Raising Arizona (1987)
• "The Twilight Zone" (1 episode, 1986)
• Vengeance: The Story of Tony Cimo (1986) (TV)
• Crimewave (1985)
• "Hill Street Blues" (6 episodes, 1985)
• Scandal Sheet (1985) (TV)
• "Hunter" (1 episode, 1985)
• Blood Simple. (1984)

Awards

• Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Female "Friends with Money" 2007
• Boston Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actress "Almost Famous" and "Wonder Boys" 2000
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress "Wonder Boys" and "Almost Famous" 2000
• Chicago Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress "Almost Famous" 2000
• Florida Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress "Wonder Boys" and "Almost Famous" 2000
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress "Almost Famous" and "Wonder Boys" 2000
• Online Film Critics Society Best Ensemble "Almost Famous" 2000
• San Diego Film Critics Best Supporting Actress "Almost Famous" 2000
• Sundance Film Festival Piper-Heidsieck Tribute Independent Vision 1998
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Actress "Fargo" 1996
• Chicago Film Critics Association Best Actress "Fargo" 1996
• Florida Film Critics Circle Best Actress "Fargo" 1996
• Golden Satellite Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) "Fargo" 1996
• Independent Spirit Award Best Female Lead "Fargo" 1996
• London Film Critics Circle Best Actress "Fargo" 1996
• National Board of Review Best Actress "Fargo" 1996
• Oscar Best Actress "Fargo" 1996
• The Actor Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role "Fargo" 1996
• National Board of Review Best Supporting Actress "Mississippi Burning" 1988