---
name: "Brenda Strong"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/brenda-strong"
fi1m_id: "brenda-strong"
imdb_id: "nm0834947"
tmdb_id: 101396
wikidata_id: "Q31970"
roles: []
born: "25 March 1960"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-09-23T11:15:23.105676+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Brenda Strong

## Identity

Brenda Strong

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/brenda-strong
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** brenda-strong
- **IMDb ID:** nm0834947
- **TMDB ID:** 101396
- **Wikidata ID:** Q31970
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Strong, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q31970, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0834947/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/101396

Actor. Born 25 March 1960 in Brightwood, Oregon, USA.

## Details

- **Born:** 25 March 1960, Brightwood, Oregon, USA
- **Active:** 1982–present
- **Also known as:** Brenda Lee Strong
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 86 (2), 1990s 80 (2), 2000s 66 (2), 2020s 57 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 74 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 4, Drama 4, Mystery 3, Action 1, Action & Adventure 1, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 2 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $121m across 1 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Strong, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q31970, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0834947/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/101396

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Desperate Housewives*](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) (78)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Brenda Strong, also credited as Brenda Lee Strong, is an American actress. She was born on 25 March 1960 in Brightwood, Oregon, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in musical theatre from Arizona State University. She was crowned Miss Arizona in 1980.

Strong began her career with guest roles in series including *Twin Peaks* (1990) and *Seinfeld*. She is best known for voicing and occasionally appearing as Mary Alice Young, the narrator of *Desperate Housewives* (2004–2012). For the role she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance and shared in two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Her other credits include Captain Deladier in *Starship Troopers* (1997), Ilene Stowe in *Fear the Walking Dead* (2015), Lillian Luthor in *Supergirl* (2015) and Nora Walker in *13 Reasons Why* (2017).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, televisionacademy.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Rooster* (2026), Fi1m 57, as Joanie — [page](https://film.one/tv/rooster.md)
- *Shark* (2006), Fi1m 55, as Olivia Hartnell — [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), Fi1m 78, as Mary Alice Young — [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *Sports Night* (1998), Fi1m 82, as Sally Sasser — [page](https://film.one/tv/sports-night.md)
- *Starship Troopers* (1997), Fi1m 79, as Captain Deladier — [page](https://film.one/film/starship-troopers.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Rashella — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Cheers* (1982), Fi1m 88, as Vicki — [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)

## Complete filmography (99)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Rooster* (2026), series, as Joanie — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/rooster.md)
- *Marshals* (2026), series, as Samantha Clarkson
- *UnPrisoned* (2023), series, as Nadine Gregory
- *Sweeter Than Chocolate* (2023), as Helen Sweet
- *61st Street* (2022), series, as Kim Pearson
- *Deported* (2020), as Mrs. Becker
- *#3 Normandy Lane* (2019), Director, Executive Producer
- *All Rise* (2019), series, as Jean Rubenstone-Frost
- *Reign of the Supermen* (2019), as Lillian Luthor (voice)
- *13 Reasons Why* (2017), series, as Nora Walker · Director
- *Love by Chance* (2016), as Helen Michaels
- *Chicago Med* (2015), series, as Dr. Suzie Mankiewicz
- *Ice Sculpture Christmas* (2015), as Chef Gloria
- *The Leisure Class* (2015), as Charlotte
- *Supergirl* (2015), series, as Lillian Luthor
- *Fear the Walking Dead* (2015), series, as Ilene Stowe
- *Teacher of the Year* (2015), as Ellen Behr
- *I Did Not Forget You* (2015), Executive Producer, Producer
- *The Mysteries of Laura* (2014), series, as Margot Preston
- *Chicago P.D.* (2014), series, as Attorney Green
- *Dallas* (2012), series, as Ann Ewing
- *Blood Relatives* (2012), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Scandal* (2012), series, as Joan Reston
- *Rizzoli & Isles* (2010), series, as Mel Gaynor-Randle
- *You* (2009), as Paula
- *Ocean of Pearls* (2008), as Mary Stewart
- *A Plumm Summer* (2008), as Viv
- *The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided* (2006), as Mary Ann Steed
- *Help Me Help You* (2006), series, Actor
- *Shark* (2006), series, as Olivia Hartnell — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *Family in Hiding* (2006), as Carol Peterson
- *The Kid & I* (2005), as Bonnie Roman
- *The Work and the Glory II: American Zion* (2005), as Mary Ann Steed
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Senator Hayley Winters — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *The Work and the Glory* (2004), as Mary Ann Steed
- *Missing Brendan* (2004), as Joyce Calden
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Mary Alice Young — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Judge Judy Beacon — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation* (2004), as Sgt. Dede Rake
- *Going to the Mat* (2004), as Patty Newfield
- *The Help* (2004), series, as Arlene Ridgeway
- *Exposed* (2003), as Susan Andrews
- *The Lyon's Den* (2003), series, Actor
- *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Iris — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md)
- *Bram & Alice* (2002), series, Actor
- *Red Dragon* (2002), as Dinner Guest
- *Everwood* (2002), series, as Julia Brown
- *The Court* (2002), series, Actor
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Kathy Jarrow
- *Teddy Bears' Picnic* (2001), as Jackie Sloane Chevron
- *The Michael Richards Show* (2000), series, as Beth
- *Terror Tract* (2000), as Dr. Helen Corey
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Dr. Flomm — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Leigh Sapien
- *Gilmore Girls* (2000), series, as Eva — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/gilmore-girls.md)
- *Malcolm in the Middle* (2000), series, as Amelia
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Scandal of 1920* (1999), as Beatrice Kaufman
- *Get Real* (1999), series, as Olivia Clark
- *The Deep End of the Ocean* (1999), as Ellen
- *Undercurrent* (1999), as Renee Rivera
- *Sports Night* (1998), series, as Sally Sasser — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/sports-night.md)
- *Black Dog* (1998), as Melanie
- *Dawson's Creek* (1998), series, as Kay Liddell
- *Get a Job* (1998), as Emily LaCrosse / Psychiatrist
- *Starship Troopers* (1997), as Captain Deladier — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/starship-troopers.md)
- *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Jerry Hill
- *Chicago Sons* (1997), series, Actor
- *7th Heaven* (1996), series, as Mrs. Mackoul
- *The Craft* (1996), as Doctor
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Miss Frost, Mrs. Frost
- *Party of Five* (1994), series, as Kathleen Isley — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-of-five.md)
- *Island City* (1994), as Dr. Sammy Helding
- *My Life* (1993), as Laura
- *Malice* (1993), as Claudia
- *The Second Half* (1993), series, as Heather
- *The John Larroquette Show* (1993), series, as Christine Taylor
- *Grapevine* (1992), series, as Allison
- *Stepfather 3* (1992), as Lauren Sutliffe
- *The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles* (1992), series, as Beatrice Kaufman
- *Scorch* (1992), series, as Allison King
- *Sibs* (1991), series, as Naomi
- *Herman's Head* (1991), series, as Dr. Paige Holland
- *Blossom* (1990), series, Actor
- *People Like Us* (1990), as Brenda Primrose
- *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Jones — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Sue Ellen Mischke — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Skin Deep* (1989), as Real Estate Agent (uncredited)
- *The Gambler: The Legend Continues* (1987), as Desiree
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Rashella — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Spaceballs* (1987), as Nurse
- *Weekend Warriors* (1986), as Danielle
- *Sledge Hammer!* (1986), series, Actor
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Jan Sinclair
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Lila
- *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Nadine Aurora — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md)
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Vicki — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor
- *Miss America* (1954), series, as Miss Arizona 1980
- *Song of the Bigfoot*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Brenda Strong at the 2013 Monte-Carlo Television Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/322079/gallery-947d5d698a56.jpg) Brenda Strong at the 2013 Monte-Carlo Television Festival. — Frantogian, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Brenda_Strong_-_Monte-Carlo_Television_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actress Brenda Strong at Desperate Housewives Paley Fest, William S. Paley Center, Beverly Hills, California (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/322079/gallery-72c43c3239f3.jpg) Actress Brenda Strong at Desperate Housewives Paley Fest, William S. Paley Center, Beverly Hills, California (2009) — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Brenda_Strong_2009.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Brenda Strong](https://film.one/media/person/322079/gallery-689b43e6f0b2.jpg) Brenda Strong — iDominick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Brenda_Strong_at_PaleyFest_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Beau Mirchoff, Andrea Bowen, Dana Delany and Brenda Strong on the April 7 Mingle Media TV was invited to join a rally of Celebrity friends to help end Child Hun (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/322079/gallery-e7ecb26ea6c3.jpg) Beau Mirchoff, Andrea Bowen, Dana Delany and Brenda Strong on the April 7 Mingle Media TV was invited to join a rally of Celebrity friends to help end Child Hun (2010) — Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV from Culver City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Child_Hunger_Ends_Here_Campaign_%284500678039%29.jpg/1280px-Child_Hunger_Ends_Here_Campaign_%284500678039%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Brenda Strong](https://film.one/media/person/322079/gallery-9f097991638e.jpg) Brenda Strong — Image via TMDB
- ![Dana Delany, Teri Hatcher, Brenda Strong - 25th Annual Paley Television Festival - ArcLight Cinemas, Los Angeles, Calif. - April 18, 2009 (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/322079/gallery-c180def3a8e4.jpg) Dana Delany, Teri Hatcher, Brenda Strong - 25th Annual Paley Television Festival - ArcLight Cinemas, Los Angeles, Calif. - April 18, 2009 (2011) — watchwithkristin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Dana_Delany%2C_Teri_Hatcher%2C_Brenda_Strong.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/brenda-strong