Marcia Gay Harden, an American actress, has established a distinguished reputation in the world of film, television, and theater. Born on August 14, 1959, in La Jolla, California, Harden's life was marked by frequent relocations due to her father's military service. Despite this constant flux, she discovered her passion for acting at Surrattsville High School in Maryland and later honed her skills at the University of Texas and the Graduate Acting Program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Harden's professional acting career started in the mid-1980s, with her breakthrough performance coming in 1991 when she played Lee Krasner in Pollock. This role not only catapulted her into the limelight but also earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout her career, Harden has shown remarkable versatility, taking on diverse roles across genres, including Mystic River, Into the Wild, and The Mist, demonstrating her remarkable range and depth as an actress. In addition to her successful film career, Harden has also left a significant mark on the stage and television. She won a Tony Award for her role in God of Carnage on Broadway, further solidifying her status as a seasoned actress. Her work on television includes roles in popular series like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Newsroom, and Code Black. Off-screen, Harden is noted for her philanthropic efforts, particularly her advocacy for Alzheimer's disease awareness, inspired by her mother's battle with the illness.