Ann Dowd
Biography
Ann Dowd is an American actress born on January 30, 1956, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. While studying as a premed student at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, she decided to become an actress, graduating in 1978 before studying at The Theatre School at DePaul University. In 1993, she won the Clarence Derwent Award for her performance in the play Candida. Her television credits include appearances in House, The X-Files, Third Watch, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Her film appearances include Lorenzo's Oil, Philadelphia, Apt Pupil, Garden State, and Flags of Our Fathers.
Career overview
Ann Dowd is an American actress born on January 30, 1956, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She initially studied as a premed student at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she decided to become an actress. She graduated from the college in 1978 and subsequently pursued further training at The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Throughout her career, Dowd has established a presence in both television and film. Her television credits include appearances in House, The X-Files, Third Watch, and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. In film, she has appeared in Lorenzo's Oil, Philadelphia, Apt Pupil, Garden State, and Flags of Our Fathers. In addition to her screen work, she has been recognized for her performances on stage, winning the Clarence Derwent Award in 1993 for her role in the play Candida.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
110 titles- The Testaments (2026) as Aunt Lydia Clements
- The Testaments (2026) Producer
- The Friend (2025) as Marjorie
- The Exorcist: Believer (2023) as Nurse Ann Brooks
- Family Squares (2022) as Judith
- The Independent (2022) as Patricia Turnball
- Hacks (2021) as Alien
- Teenage Euthanasia (2021)
- Mass (2021) as Linda
- Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes (2021) as Edna Garrett
- Enemy of the People (2021)
- Rebecca (2020) as Mrs. Van Hopper
- Cowboys (2020) as Faith
- Speed of Life (2020) as June
- The Other Two (2019) as Paula Davies
- Lambs of God (2019) as Sister Margarita
- Henrietta Bulkowski (2019) as Narrator
- Hereditary (2018) as Joan
- American Animals (2018) as Betty Jean 'BJ' Gooch
- A Kid Like Jake (2018) as Catherine
- Nancy (2018) as Betty
- Tyrel (2018) as Silvia
- The Handmaid's Tale (2017) as Aunt Lydia Clements
- Hedgehog (2017) as Joan
- Search Party (2016) as Paula Jo
- Quarry (2016) as Naomi
- Captain Fantastic (2016) as Abigail Bertrang
- Collateral Beauty (2016) as Sally Price
- Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer (2016) as Carol Raskin
- The Great & The Small (2016) as Dupre
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- Our Brand Is Crisis (2015) as Nell
- Wildlike (2015) as Jeanie
- True Detective (2014) as Betty Childress
- The Leftovers (2014) as Patti Levin
- St. Vincent (2014) as Shirley
- The Drop (2014) as Dottie
- Olive Kitteridge (2014) as Bonnie Newton
- Big Driver (2014) as Ramona
- The Discoverers (2014) as Patti
- Masters of Sex (2013) as Estabrooks Masters
- Side Effects (2013) as Mrs. Taylor
- Gimme Shelter (2013) as Kathy
- Compliance (2012) as Sandra
- Bachelorette (2012) as Victoria Archer
- The Art of Getting By (2011) as Mrs. Grimes
- Lost Revolution (2011) as Glenn
- Coming Up Roses (2011) as Lynne
- Louie (2010) as Sister Carson
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- The Informant! (2009) as Kate Medford
- Taking Chance (2009) as Gretchen
- The Toe Tactic (2009) as Honey Woman
- The Babysitters (2008) as Tammy Lyner
- Marley & Me (2008) as Dr. Platt
- Familiar Strangers (2008) as Dottie Worthington
- I Believe in America (2007) as Glenn
- Alice Upside Down (2007) as Aunt Sally
- Goodbye Baby (2007) as Terri
- Gardener of Eden (2007) as Ma Harris
- The Living Wake (2007) as Librarian
- Flags of Our Fathers (2006) as Mrs. Strank
- Saving Shiloh (2006) as Louise Preston
- The Notorious Bettie Page (2006) as Edna Page
- American Dad! (2005) as Miss Macadoo (voice)
- Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) as Karen Ames
- The Thing About My Folks (2005) as Linda
- House (2004) as Mother Superior
- The Manchurian Candidate (2004) as Congresswoman Beckett
- The Forgotten (2004) as Eileen the Accountant
- Garden State (2004) as Olivia
- The Jury (2004)
- Homework (2004) as Mother
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Lucy (2003) as DeDe
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Laurie Manotti
- The Division (2001) as Sarah
- Amy & Isabelle (2001) as Lenora
- Baby (2000) as Ms. Minifred
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Louise Durning
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Sally Wilkens
- Judging Amy (1999) as Mrs. Schleewee
- Third Watch (1999) as Sgt. Beth Markham
- Providence (1999) as Mary
- Family Law (1999)
- Freaks and Geeks (1999) as Cookie Kelly
- Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season (1999) as Louise Preston
- Apt Pupil (1998) as Monica Bowden
- Nothing Sacred (1997) as Sister Mo
- All Over Me (1997) as Anne
- Shiloh (1996) as Louise Preston
- Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long (1995) as Rose Long
- Bushwhacked (1995) as Mrs. Patterson
- Chicago Hope (1994)
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Eleanor Robertson
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Paula Dardenne
- It Could Happen to You (1994) as Carol
- The X-Files (1993) as Mrs. Reed
- Philadelphia (1993) as Jill Beckett
- Lorenzo's Oil (1992) as Pediatrician
- Law & Order (1990) as Dorothy Baxter
- Law & Order (1990) as Teresa Franz
- Law & Order (1990) as Dr. Beth Allison
- Law & Order (1990) as Patricia Smith
- Green Card (1990) as Peggy
- The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987) as Nurse Courtney
- North and South (1985) as Maureen
- First Steps (1985) as Debby
- Poor Boy
- The Undertaker's Children as Johanna Hall
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ann Dowd best known for?
Ann Dowd is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Testaments (2026), The Testaments (2026), The Exorcist: Believer (2023), Hacks (2021).
When and where was Ann Dowd born?
Ann Dowd was born on January 30, 1956 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA.
How many credits does Ann Dowd have?
Ann Dowd has accumulated over 110 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1985 to 2026.
What is Ann Dowd's background in cinema and television?
Ann Dowd is an American actress born on January 30, 1956, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. While studying as a premed student at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, she decided to become an actress, graduating in 1978 before studying at The Theatre School at DePaul University. In 1993, she won the Clar...