Earned Tony nominations for her supporting performances in the plays "The Grapes of Wrath" (1990) and Sam Shepard's "Buried Child" (1996).
Has twice been nominated for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play): in 1990 for portraying Ma Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath," a part she recreated in the television version of the same title, "American Playhouse: The Grapes of Wrath (#10.11)" (1991); and in 1996 for Sam Shepard's "Buried Child," which was directed by her "Grapes of Wrath" co-star Gary Sinise.
Is a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.
Is an ordained minister and officiated at the wedding of actor Tim Hopper and his wife.
Once taught acting at Juilliard.
She was awarded the 2008 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Principal Role in a Play for "The Trip to Bountiful" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
She was nominated for a 1989 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Principal Role in a Play for "The Grapes of Wrath" at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
Studied acting with Lee Strasberg at the Actors' Studio.
Was the original choice to play "Lisa Miller" on "As the World Turns" (1956), but was unavailable due to pregnancy. At the time, she shared the same agent with Eileen Fulton, who sent her, instead. Fulton played the character from 1960 until 2010.