Frances McDormand - Actor Profile

Frances McDormand

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 23, 1957
Birth Place: Gibson City, Illinois, USA

About Frances McDormand

Frances Louise McDormand (born Cynthia Ann Smith; June 23, 1957) is an American film, stage and television actress. McDormand began her career on stage and made her screen debut in the 1984 film Blood Simple, having since appeared in several theatrical and television roles. McDormand has been recognized for her performances in 'Mississippi Burning' (1988), 'Short Cuts' (1993), 'Fargo' (1996), 'Wonder Boys' (2000), 'Almost Famous' (2000), 'North Country' (2005), 'Moonrise Kingdom' (2012), 'Hail, Caesar!' (2016), 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' (2017), 'Nomadland' (2020) and 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' (2021). Throughout her career, she has been nominated for eight Golden Globes, five Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and three Emmy Awards. She is one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting", winning an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1997 for her role as Marge Gunderson in 'Fargo'.  She also won Best Supporting Actress from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Florida Film Critics Circle, and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for her performance in 'Wonder Boys' (2000). McDormand returned to the stage in the David Lindsay-Abaire play Good People on Broadway from February 8, 2011 to April 24, 2011. In 2017, McDormand starred in 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' which earned her a second Academy Award for Best Actress. McDormand has been married to filmmaker Joel Coen since 1984, they reside in New York City along with their adopted son Pedro.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Frances McDormand reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Frances McDormand's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 66% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Frances McDormand remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Oedipus Project, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Frances McDormand Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Frances McDormand's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Frances McDormand.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Wolfs Pam (voice) Hit Similar →
2022 Women Talking Scarface Janz Hit Similar →
2021 The Tragedy of Macbeth Lady Macbeth Hit Similar →
2021 The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun Lucinda Krementz Hit Similar →
2021 Nomadland Fern Hit Similar →
2020 The Oedipus Project Jocosta Super Hit Similar →
2018 The Origins of Ebbing Self Average Similar →
2018 Isle of Dogs Interpreter Nelson (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2017 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Mildred Hayes Super Hit Similar →
2017 The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin Self (voice) Average Similar →
2016 Hail, Caesar! C. C. Calhoun Average Similar →
2015 The Good Dinosaur Momma (voice) Hit Similar →
2015 Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom' Self / Mrs. Bishop Average Similar →
2012 Promised Land Sue Thomason Average Similar →
2012 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Captain Chantel DuBois (voice) Hit Similar →
2012 Moonrise Kingdom Mrs. Bishop Super Hit Similar →
2011 This Must Be the Place Jane Hit Similar →
2011 Transformers: Dark of the Moon Mearing Average Similar →
2009 The Botany of Desire Narrator (voice) Average Similar →
2008 Burn After Reading Linda Litzke Hit Similar →
2008 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Guinevere Pettigrew Hit Similar →
2005 North Country Glory Hit Similar →
2003 Something's Gotta Give Zoe Hit Similar →
2003 Sesame Street: Kid's Guide to Life: Big Bird Gets Lost Herself Average Similar →
2003 Minnesota Nice Self Hit Similar →
2003 Laurel Canyon Jane Average Similar →
2002 City by the Sea Michelle Average Similar →
2002 Searching for Debra Winger Self Average Similar →
2002 Upheaval Anne Hit Similar →
2001 The Man Who Wasn't There Doris Crane Super Hit Similar →
2000 Almost Famous Elaine Miller Super Hit Similar →
2000 Wonder Boys Sara Gaskell Hit Similar →
1998 Madeline Miss Clavel Average Similar →
1997 Paradise Road Dr. Verstak Average Similar →
1996 Lone Star Bunny Hit Similar →
1996 Fargo Marge Gunderson Super Hit Similar →
1996 Primal Fear Molly Super Hit Similar →
1995 Palookaville June Average Similar →
1995 Beyond Rangoon Andy Bowman Hit Similar →
1995 The Good Old Boys Eve Calloway Hit Similar →
1993 Short Cuts Betty Weathers Hit Similar →
1993 Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country Self Average Similar →
1991 Barton Fink Stage Actress (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1990 Hidden Agenda Ingrid Jessner Hit Similar →
1990 Miller's Crossing Mayor's Secretary (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1990 Darkman Julie Hastings Average Similar →
1988 Mississippi Burning Mrs. Pell Super Hit Similar →
1987 Raising Arizona Dot Hit Similar →
1986 Vengeance: The Story of Tony Cimo Brigette Average Similar →
1985 Blood Simple Abby Hit Similar →

Frances McDormand - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Frances McDormand?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Frances McDormand is "The Oedipus Project" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Frances McDormand acted in?

Frances McDormand has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Frances McDormand?

Other notable films include "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", "Fargo", and "Isle of Dogs".