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Marcia Cross is one of television’s most celebrated actresses, known for her iconic roles in hit series such as “Desperate Housewives” and “Melrose Place”. With a career spanning over three decades, Cross has established herself as a versatile actress, taking on a wide variety of roles that showcase her range, charisma, and ability to captivate audiences. From her breakthrough as a seductive vixen in Melrose Place to her memorable portrayal of the neurotic perfectionist Bree Van de Kamp in Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross has become a beloved figure in the world of television.
This article traces her life, career, and the milestones that have shaped her into the renowned actress she is today.
Early Life and Education
Marcia Anne Cross was born on March 25, 1962, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, to Janet, a teacher, and Mark Cross, a personnel manager. Growing up in a close-knit family, Cross was encouraged to pursue her interests, including a love for the arts. From a young age, she showed a passion for acting, and her parents supported her creative ambitions.
Cross attended Julliard School in New York City, one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world, where she studied drama. After graduating with a degree in acting, she moved to Los Angeles to begin her professional career. It wasn’t long before she started landing roles in television, making her presence known in Hollywood.
Early Career: Building a Reputation
Marcia Cross’s early career was characterized by guest appearances and supporting roles on a variety of television series. Her breakthrough role came in 1992, when she was cast as Dr. Kimberly Shaw in “Melrose Place”, the hit primetime soap opera created by Darren Star. On the show, Cross played the beautiful but troubled doctor who became embroiled in one of the most infamous love triangles of the ’90s. Kimberly Shaw’s dramatic and often outrageous storylines—including an affair, a mental breakdown, and a faked death—made Cross a standout on the show and a fan favorite.
Cross’s performance on Melrose Place catapulted her to stardom and earned her widespread recognition. Despite leaving the series in 1997, her role as Kimberly Shaw remains one of her most memorable. The success of Melrose Place helped solidify Cross as a leading actress in prime-time television and set the stage for her future roles.
Desperate Housewives: The Role That Defined Her
After several years of varied television roles, Marcia Cross’s career reached new heights when she was cast as Bree Van de Kamp on “Desperate Housewives” in 2004. Created by Marc Cherry, Desperate Housewives became one of the most successful and talked-about shows of the early 2000s, and Cross’s portrayal of the high-strung, perfectionist housewife Bree made her a household name.
Bree Van de Kamp was a complex character—on the surface, she appeared to have the perfect life: a pristine home, a successful husband, and well-behaved children. However, beneath her façade of perfection, Bree’s life was filled with secrets, struggles, and emotional turmoil. Cross portrayed Bree’s manic devotion to maintaining appearances with precision, infusing the character with both comedic absurdity and emotional depth. Whether it was Bree’s obsessive cleanliness, her strained relationships with her family, or her journey toward self-acceptance, Cross brought authenticity and heart to the role.
Her performance as Bree earned her numerous accolades, including Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. She won Screen Actors Guild Awards for her ensemble work and was praised for her ability to balance the comedic and dramatic elements of her character. Desperate Housewives became a cultural phenomenon, and Bree Van de Kamp became one of the most iconic TV characters of the 2000s. The show ran for eight successful seasons, making Cross a television staple for nearly a decade.
Post-Desperate Housewives: Expanding Her Career
After Desperate Housewives ended in 2012, Marcia Cross continued to pursue a diverse range of roles in both television and film. She made guest appearances on several high-profile TV shows, including:
- “The New Normal” (2012), where she played the role of Jane, a character who is a friend of the lead character’s family. Though the show was short-lived, it allowed Cross to showcase her comedic chops in a very different way than she had on Desperate Housewives.
- “Quantico” (2015–2016), where she appeared in a recurring role as Claire Haas, the mother of one of the FBI recruits. Her appearance on Quantico further demonstrated her versatility in dramatic roles.
In addition to her television work, Marcia Cross has also appeared in films, such as “Living in Fear” (2001) and “I’ll See You in My Dreams” (2015). While her film career has not been as high-profile as her television work, she has continued to build a varied resume with each new project.
In recent years, Cross has returned to her stage roots, performing in several theatrical productions, including “The Realistic Joneses”, a play by Will Eno that explored the complexities of modern relationships.
Personal Life: Advocacy and Health
Marcia Cross has long been an advocate for causes related to women’s health and family well-being. In 2018, she made headlines when she publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with anal cancer and underwent treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy. Cross’s openness about her diagnosis and treatment served to raise awareness about the disease and highlighted the importance of early detection.
In addition to her advocacy work, Cross is also known for her role as a mother. In 2006, she married Tom Mahoney, a stockbroker, and the couple has two daughters, Eden and Savannah, born via surrogacy in 2007. Cross has often spoken about how motherhood has changed her life, and she has maintained a relatively private personal life, choosing to focus on her family while balancing her career.
Legacy and Impact
Marcia Cross’s impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable. Her portrayal of Bree Van de Kamp remains one of the most iconic TV characters of the 21st century, and her performances have earned her a devoted fan base and widespread critical acclaim. Over the course of her career, Cross has proven herself to be a talented actress capable of seamlessly navigating between comedy, drama, and suspense.
Her time on Desperate Housewives marked a major turning point not only in her own career but also in the portrayal of women on television. Bree’s complexity—her obsession with perfection, her vulnerability, and her inner turmoil—helped to pave the way for more nuanced and fully realized female characters in TV dramas. As such, Marcia Cross is part of a broader trend of actresses who brought to life multifaceted women on screen, contributing to the evolution of female characters in television.
As she continues to work and advocate for important causes, Marcia Cross’s legacy as an actress and as a public figure continues to grow. Whether on stage, on screen, or through her activism, she remains a respected and influential presence in the entertainment world.
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