Andie MacDowell

Rosalie Anderson MacDowell
Born	(1958-04-21) April 21, 1958 Gaffney, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Actress, former fashion model
Years active	1984–present
Known for	Leading roles in romantic comedies and dramatic films; spokesperson for L'Oréal since 1986

Rosalie Anderson MacDowell (born April 21, 1958) is an American actress and former fashion model, recognized primarily for her leading roles in romantic comedies and dramatic films. She has modeled for Calvin Klein and has served as a spokesperson for L'Oréal since 1986.

Her initial film appearances include Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) and the Brat Pack ensemble film St. Elmo's Fire (1985). MacDowell gained widespread attention with her role in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), which earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama. Following this success, she starred in movies such as Green Card (1990), Groundhog Day (1993), Short Cuts (1993), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Unstrung Heroes (1995), Michael (1996), Multiplicity (1996), and The Muse (1999).

MacDowell took on supporting roles in films like Beauty Shop (2005), Footloose (2011), Magic Mike XXL (2015), The Last Laugh (2019), and Ready or Not (2019). She is also set to appear in the upcoming 2024 films The Other Zoey and Red Right Hand. Her work in independent cinema includes the critically praised Love After Love (2017). In 2021, MacDowell co-starred alongside her daughter Margaret Qualley in the Netflix miniseries Maid, a role that garnered her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. Beginning in 2023, she has taken a starring role in the Hallmark Channel fantasy drama series, The Way Home.'

Early life

Born on April 21, 1958, in Gaffney, South Carolina, MacDowell is the daughter of Pauline "Paula" Johnston, who was a music educator, and Marion St. Pierre MacDowell, a lumber industry executive with academic credentials from the University of the South. She grew up with three older sisters and has roots tracing back to Scottish heritage. Her parents separated when she was six years old; her mother battled alcoholism and passed away from a heart attack in 1981 after maintaining sobriety for one year. Her father remarried when she was eight and remained married until his passing. MacDowell completed her education at Gaffney High School in 1976 before attending Winthrop University for two years and subsequently relocating briefly to Columbia, South Carolina.

Career

1970s and 1980s

MacDowell's modeling career began after being discovered by an agent from Wilhelmina Models during a visit to Los Angeles. In 1978, she signed with Elite Model Management based in New York City, which sent her to work in Paris for a year and a half.

During the early 1980s, she appeared in Vogue and participated in advertising campaigns for prestigious brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, Sabeth-Row, Mink International, Anne Klein, and Bill Blass. Her exposure increased significantly through prominent billboards displayed in Times Square, along with national commercials for Calvin Klein, paving the way for her cinematic debut in 1984’s Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. Notably, her Southern accent was dubbed over by Glenn Close. In 1985, she portrayed a doctor in St. Elmo's Fire, followed by a lead role in the Italian miniseries The Secret of the Sahara in 1988. Since 1986, MacDowell has been prominently associated with cosmetic brand L'Oréal, appearing extensively in their print and television advertisements.

She honed her craft studying method acting under instructors affiliated with the Actors Studio, as well as coaches Harold Guskin and Warren Robertson. Director Steven Soderbergh cast her in the independent feature Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), where her portrayal of Ann received critical acclaim. This performance earned her an Independent Spirit Award, a Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, plus a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

1990s

After her breakthrough with Sex, Lies, and Videotape, MacDowell starred opposite Gérard Depardieu in Peter Weir’s romantic comedy Green Card, securing another Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy. She also appeared in films like The Object of Beauty and Hudson Hawk. In 1992, she led the mystery thriller Ruby Cairo, which failed commercially, earning just $608,866 against its $24 million budget. That same year included a cameo appearance in Robert Altman’s satirical movie The Player.

MacDowell reached new heights of popularity with the success of Harold Ramis’ fantasy romantic comedy Groundhog Day opposite Bill Murray in 1993. Her performance was widely praised by critics, culminating in winning the Saturn Award for Best Actress. Additionally, she featured prominently in Altman’s acclaimed ensemble piece Short Cuts, receiving both a Golden Globe Special Ensemble Cast Award and the Volpi Cup recognizing ensemble excellence.

In 1994, she starred alongside Hugh Grant in the British romantic comedy hit Four Weddings and a Funeral. Produced on a budget below £3 million but grossing $245.7 million globally, it became at that time the highest-grossing British film ever made. This role also brought her another Golden Globe nomination. That year included starring roles such as the Western film Bad Girls, which grossed $23 million worldwide. In 1995’s comedy-drama Unstrung Heroes, she took on a leading role that received favorable reviews.

In 1996, MacDowell appeared in two comedies: the sci-fi themed Multiplicity, which earned $37 million on a $45 million budget; and John Travolta’s fantasy comedy Michael, which garnered mixed critical response but achieved box office success with $119.7 million worldwide. The following year saw her star in the drama The End of Violence, alongside receiving an honorary César at France’s prestigious 22nd César Awards.

By 1998, she featured in independent drama projects such as Shadrach, returning to romantic comedy with production involvement on Just the Ticket. In 1999, she acted in the underperforming sci-fi comedy Muppets from Space and co-starred with Albert Brooks in his directed comedy piece The Muse.

2000s

In 2000, MacDowell led the war drama film Harrison's Flowers. Despite mixed reviews overall, critic Roger Ebert commended her portrayal as "sympathetic" and believable. The following year included roles in two romantic comedies: ‘‘[[Town & Country (film)|Town & Country]’’ alongside Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton—and ’’Crush.’’ ‘‘Town & Country’’ experienced multiple delays before release nearly three years after filming began; it ultimately became one of American cinema’s largest box office failures with just over $10 million grossed against its $105 million budget.

Also during 2001, MacDowell returned to television after over ten years by starring in anthology film ‘‘[[On the Edge (2001 TV film)|On the Edge]’’ and Emmy-nominated comedy-drama ‘‘Dinner with Friends.’’ In 2002, she led CBS drama pilot ‘‘Jo’’, which did not succeed commercially, and appeared in action thriller ‘‘Ginostra.’’

Throughout this decade, MacDowell concentrated mainly on television projects and independent films. She guest-starred on ABC’s legal drama ‘‘The Practice.’’ Returning to cinema briefly in 2005 with supporting roles such as ‘‘Beauty Shop,’’ she also headlined Irish drama ‘‘Tara Road’’ and starred in Anjelica Huston’s Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie ‘‘Riding the Bus with My Sister.’’ Later credits included ‘‘Intervention’’ (2007), ‘‘Inconceivable’’ (2008), and ‘‘The Six Wives of Henry Lefay’’ (2009).

2010s

In 2010, MacDowell featured prominently in two Lifetime adaptations of Patricia Cornwell’s novels: ‘‘At Risk’’ and ‘‘The Front,’’ while holding a recurring part on Fox’s drama series ‘‘Lone Star.’’ The next year included supporting roles within ‘‘Monte Carlo’’ and ‘‘Footloose.’’ She led ABC Family’s short-lived series ‘‘Jane by Design,’’ guest-starred on ‘‘30 Rock,’’ and starred alongside Michael Rapaport in comedy-drama ‘‘Mighty Fine.’’ From 2013 to 2015, she was lead actress on Hallmark Channel’s drama series ‘‘Cedar Cove,’’ based on Debbie Macomber’s novels.

In 2015 came her role as an older woman pursuing younger men within comedy-drama ‘‘Magic Mike XXL.’’ The following year saw her star in ABC pilot ‘‘Model Woman,’’ inspired by Ford Models history during the ’70s rivalry era. Critical acclaim followed her lead performance within independent drama ‘‘Love After Love’’ released in 2017; reviewers considered it among her finest work. That same year featured appearances alongside Josh Brolin within ‘‘Only the Brave,’’ holiday film ‘‘Christmas Inheritance,’’ plus return to Hallmark TV movie ‘‘At Home in Mitford.’’

MacDowell produced and starred within Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation ‘‘The Beach House’’ during 2018—adapted from Mary Alice Monroe’s novel—and co-starred within romantic drama ‘‘Paper Year.’’

In 2019 she acted opposite Richard Dreyfuss and Chevy Chase within Netflix comedy ‘‘The Last Laugh.’’ Later that year included roles within critically acclaimed horror-comedy hit ‘‘Ready or Not,’’ BBC sitcom ‘‘Cuckoo,’’ plus Hulu miniseries remake of ‘‘Four Weddings and a Funeral.’’

2020–present

During 2020 MacDowell headlined survival thriller series ‘’Wireless’’ along with romantic comedy ‘’Dashing in December.’’ She then appeared opposite Frank Grillo within Western ‘’No Man's Land’’ alongside guest appearance portraying herself on NBC sitcom ‘’Mr. Mayor.’’ In 2021 she reunited onscreen with daughter Margaret Qualley, playing a mother struggling with undiagnosed mental illness within Netflix miniseries ‘’Maid,’’ earning critical praise plus Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series or Miniseries.

Her recent work includes appearances during 2022 films ‘’Along for the Ride’’ and ‘’Good Girl Jane.’’ In early 2023 she starred as famous patient recovering alongside three women within British hospital room setting drama ‘’My Happy Ending.’’ That same year marked beginning lead role within Hallmark Channel fantasy drama series ‘’The Way Home,’’ plus featured performances within romantic comedy ‘’The Other Zoey.’’ She is slated to star opposite Orlando Bloom within upcoming action thriller ‘’Red Right Hand’’ scheduled for release during 2024. Critic Marya E. Gates highlighted MacDowell’s commanding villainous portrayal as one of her strongest performances seen recently.

Personal life

MacDowell tied the knot with Paul Qualley, a rancher and ex-model, in 1986; their paths crossed during Gap advertising campaigns. Together, they had three children: a son named Justin and two daughters, Rainey and Margaret, who both pursued careers in acting and music. The couple ended their marriage in 1999. Following this, MacDowell was involved in a year-long relationship with actor Dennis Quaid. She remarried in 2001 to Rhett Hartzog, a former high school classmate, but the marriage concluded with a divorce in 2004. By 2013, MacDowell was residing in Marina del Rey, California, and as of 2023, she lives along the coast of South Carolina.