Mary Steenburgen

Mary Nell Steenburgen (born February 8, 1953) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and songwriter. After studying at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse in the 1970s, she made her professional acting debut in the Western comedy film Goin' South (1978). Steenburgen went on to earn critical acclaim for her role in Time After Time (1979) and Jonathan Demme's comedy-drama film Melvin and Howard (1980), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

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Elf (2003)

ChristmasFunnyUpliftingGoofy

When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon Favreau
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Zooey Deschanel  •  Daniel Tay  •  James Caan

When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging feeling that he doesn't belong. Buddy vows to visit ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon Favreau
CAST:  Will Ferrell  •  Zooey Deschanel  •  Daniel Tay  •  James Caan

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982)

A nutty inventor, his frustrated wife, a philosopher cousin, his much younger fiancée, a randy doctor, and a free-thinking nurse spend a summer weekend in and around a stunning - and possibly magical - country house.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Woody Allen
CAST:  Woody Allen  •  Mia Farrow  •  Julie Hagerty  •  Tony Roberts

A nutty inventor, his frustrated wife, a philosopher cousin, his much younger fiancée, a randy doctor, and a free-thinking nurse spend a summer weekend in and around a stunning - and possibly magical - country house.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Woody Allen
CAST:  Woody Allen  •  Mia Farrow  •  Julie Hagerty  •  Tony Roberts

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

The final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy finds Marty digging the trusty DeLorean out of a mineshaft and looking for Doc in the Wild West of 1885. But when their time machine breaks down, the travelers are stranded in a land of spurs. More problems ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Thomas F. Wilson

The final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy finds Marty digging the trusty DeLorean out of a mineshaft and looking for Doc in the Wild West of 1885. But when their time machine breaks down, the travelers are stranded in a land of spurs. More problems ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Zemeckis
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Thomas F. Wilson

Goin' South (1978)

Henry Moon is captured for a capital offense by a posse when his horse quits while trying to escape to Mexico. He finds that there is a post-Civil War law in the small town that any single or widowed woman can save him from the gallows by marrying him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Nicholson
CAST:  Jack Nicholson  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  John Belushi

Henry Moon is captured for a capital offense by a posse when his horse quits while trying to escape to Mexico. He finds that there is a post-Civil War law in the small town that any single or widowed woman can save him from the gallows by marrying him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Nicholson
CAST:  Jack Nicholson  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  John Belushi

I Am Sam (2001)

UpliftingThought provokingEmotionalTear-jerker

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jessie Nelson
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Dianne Wiest

Sam, a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam's limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jessie Nelson
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Dianne Wiest

Inland Empire (2006)

WeirdThought provokingMind blowingBeautiful

An actress’s perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted as she finds herself falling for her co-star in a remake of an unfinished Polish production that was supposedly cursed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Lynch
CAST:  Laura Dern  •  Jeremy Irons  •  Justin Theroux  •  Harry Dean Stanton

An actress’s perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted as she finds herself falling for her co-star in a remake of an unfinished Polish production that was supposedly cursed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Lynch
CAST:  Laura Dern  •  Jeremy Irons  •  Justin Theroux  •  Harry Dean Stanton

Life as a House (2001)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

When a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Irwin Winkler
CAST:  Kevin Kline  •  Kristin Scott Thomas  •  Hayden Christensen  •  Jena Malone

When a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Irwin Winkler
CAST:  Kevin Kline  •  Kristin Scott Thomas  •  Hayden Christensen  •  Jena Malone

Melvin and Howard (1980)

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Demme
CAST:  Jason Robards  •  Paul Le Mat  •  Elizabeth Cheshire  •  Mary Steenburgen

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Demme
CAST:  Jason Robards  •  Paul Le Mat  •  Elizabeth Cheshire  •  Mary Steenburgen

My Family (1995)

Traces over three generations an immigrant family's trials, tribulations, tragedies, and triumphs. Maria and Jose, the first generation, come to Los Angeles, meet, marry, face deportation all in the 1930s. They establish their family in East L.A., and their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gregory Nava
CAST:  Edward James Olmos  •  Rafael Cortés  •  Esai Morales  •  Jacob Vargas

Traces over three generations an immigrant family's trials, tribulations, tragedies, and triumphs. Maria and Jose, the first generation, come to Los Angeles, meet, marry, face deportation all in the 1930s. They establish their family in East L.A., and their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gregory Nava
CAST:  Edward James Olmos  •  Rafael Cortés  •  Esai Morales  •  Jacob Vargas

It Runs in the Family (1994)

It is now summer in the Parker family; and the usual amount of numerous events are happening in their separate lives. Ralphie is searching for the perfect top to use to beat the school bully with, the Old Man is in battle with their hillbilly neighbors, the Bumpus, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Clark
CAST:  Charles Grodin  •  Kieran Culkin  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Christian Culkin

It is now summer in the Parker family; and the usual amount of numerous events are happening in their separate lives. Ralphie is searching for the perfect top to use to beat the school bully with, the Old Man is in battle with their hillbilly neighbors, the Bumpus, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Clark
CAST:  Charles Grodin  •  Kieran Culkin  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Christian Culkin

Nixon (1995)

A look at President Richard M. Nixon—a man carrying the fate of the world on his shoulders while battling the self-destructive demands from within—spanning his troubled boyhood in California to the shocking Watergate scandal that would end his Presidency.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Anthony Hopkins  •  Joan Allen  •  J.T. Walsh  •  Paul Sorvino

A look at President Richard M. Nixon—a man carrying the fate of the world on his shoulders while battling the self-destructive demands from within—spanning his troubled boyhood in California to the shocking Watergate scandal that would end his Presidency.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Anthony Hopkins  •  Joan Allen  •  J.T. Walsh  •  Paul Sorvino

One Magic Christmas (1985)

Ginny Grainger, a young mother, rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter Abbie and Gideon, Ginny's very own guardian angel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phillip Borsos
CAST:  Mary Steenburgen  •  Gary Basaraba  •  Harry Dean Stanton  •  Arthur Hill

Ginny Grainger, a young mother, rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter Abbie and Gideon, Ginny's very own guardian angel.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phillip Borsos
CAST:  Mary Steenburgen  •  Gary Basaraba  •  Harry Dean Stanton  •  Arthur Hill

Parenthood (1989)

The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the 'black sheep' of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Howard
CAST:  Steve Martin  •  Tom Hulce  •  Rick Moranis  •  Martha Plimpton

The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the 'black sheep' of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Howard
CAST:  Steve Martin  •  Tom Hulce  •  Rick Moranis  •  Martha Plimpton

Philadelphia (1993)

InspiringIntenseEmotionalThought provoking

Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Demme
CAST:  Roberta Maxwell  •  Buzz Kilman  •  Antonio Banderas  •  Jason Robards

Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Demme
CAST:  Roberta Maxwell  •  Buzz Kilman  •  Antonio Banderas  •  Jason Robards

Powder (1995)

FantasticalThrilling

Harassed by classmates who won't accept his shocking appearance, a shy young man known as "Powder" struggles to fit in. But the cruel taunts stop when Powder displays a mysterious power that allows him to do incredible things. This phenomenon changes the lives of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Salva
CAST:  Mary Steenburgen  •  Sean Patrick Flanery  •  Lance Henriksen  •  Jeff Goldblum

Harassed by classmates who won't accept his shocking appearance, a shy young man known as "Powder" struggles to fit in. But the cruel taunts stop when Powder displays a mysterious power that allows him to do incredible things. This phenomenon changes the lives of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Salva
CAST:  Mary Steenburgen  •  Sean Patrick Flanery  •  Lance Henriksen  •  Jeff Goldblum

Ragtime (1981)

A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Miloš Forman
CAST:  James Cagney  •  Brad Dourif  •  Moses Gunn  •  Elizabeth McGovern

A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Miloš Forman
CAST:  James Cagney  •  Brad Dourif  •  Moses Gunn  •  Elizabeth McGovern

The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank (1988)

During the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, Otto Frank decides to hide his family, who are Jewish, after his daughter Margot is called to appear for transport to a Nazi labour camp. Miep Gies, Otto Frank's office assistant hides them in the attic above the office. The ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Erman
CAST:  Mary Steenburgen  •  Paul Scofield  •  Victor Spinetti  •  Tom Wilkinson

During the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, Otto Frank decides to hide his family, who are Jewish, after his daughter Margot is called to appear for transport to a Nazi labour camp. Miep Gies, Otto Frank's office assistant hides them in the attic above the office. The ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Erman
CAST:  Mary Steenburgen  •  Paul Scofield  •  Victor Spinetti  •  Tom Wilkinson

The Butcher's Wife (1991)

A clairvoyant woman thinks that she's met her future husband because she's seen him in a dream. They marry and he takes her back to his butcher shop in New York city, where her powers tend to influence everyone she meets while working in the shop. Through her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Terry Hughes
CAST:  Demi Moore  •  Jeff Daniels  •  George Dzundza  •  Mary Steenburgen

A clairvoyant woman thinks that she's met her future husband because she's seen him in a dream. They marry and he takes her back to his butcher shop in New York city, where her powers tend to influence everyone she meets while working in the shop. Through her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Terry Hughes
CAST:  Demi Moore  •  Jeff Daniels  •  George Dzundza  •  Mary Steenburgen

The Whales of August (1987)

CharmingEmotionalInsightful

Two aged sisters reflect on life and the past during a late summer day in Maine.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lindsay Anderson
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Lillian Gish  •  Vincent Price  •  Ann Sothern

Two aged sisters reflect on life and the past during a late summer day in Maine.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lindsay Anderson
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Lillian Gish  •  Vincent Price  •  Ann Sothern

Time After Time (1979)

SmartDramaticThrillingAdventurous

Writer H. G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper to modern day San Francisco after the infamous serial killer steals his time machine to escape the 19th century.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nicholas Meyer
CAST:  Malcolm McDowell  •  David Warner  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Charles Cioffi

Writer H. G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper to modern day San Francisco after the infamous serial killer steals his time machine to escape the 19th century.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nicholas Meyer
CAST:  Malcolm McDowell  •  David Warner  •  Mary Steenburgen  •  Charles Cioffi
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