---
name: "Laura Linney"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/laura-linney"
fi1m_id: "laura-linney"
imdb_id: "nm0001473"
tmdb_id: 350
wikidata_id: "Q223281"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "5 February 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-04T07:48:30.241903+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."
---

# Laura Linney

## Identity

Laura Linney

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/laura-linney
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** laura-linney
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001473
- **TMDB ID:** 350
- **Wikidata ID:** Q223281
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Linney, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223281, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001473/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/350

Actor and director. Born 5 February 1964 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 5 February 1964, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1996–present
- **Also known as:** Laura Leggett Linney
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 10 acting, 2 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Ben Semanoff](https://film.one/person/benjamin-semanoff.md), [Jason Bateman](https://film.one/person/jason-bateman.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (2), 2000s 76 (4), 2010s 75 (3), 2020s 68 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 73 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 5 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Comedy 5, Thriller 3, Crime 2, Mystery 2, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $966m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Linney, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223281, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001473/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/350

## Coming up

- *Rode to Ruin* (2027-07-03)

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*The Squid and the Whale*](https://film.one/film/the-squid-and-the-whale.md) (83), [*Ozark*](https://film.one/tv/ozark.md) (70), [*Black Rabbit*](https://film.one/tv/black-rabbit.md) (63)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Truman Show*](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md) (88), [*Love Actually*](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md) (58)
- **HBO Max:** [*John Adams*](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md) (81)
- **Peacock:** [*Nocturnal Animals*](https://film.one/film/nocturnal-animals.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*Primal Fear*](https://film.one/film/primal-fear.md) (71)

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

## Fi1m on Laura Linney

> Laura Linney lets irritation show through affection without making either feeling seem false. We rate her highly, especially when the writing gives her controlled, difficult women enough time to become more than the sensible person in somebody else’s story.

In *The Truman Show* (1998), Laura Linney’s Meryl offers apparent warmth even when an advertisement interrupts the conversation. We laughed at the sales pitches, then felt uncomfortable because Truman was expecting affection. Peter Weir lets the awkwardness last, and Linney makes the relationship convincing enough for Truman’s uncertainty to hurt. It is a useful place to start with an actor who can make someone seem welcoming without making them trustworthy.

By *You Can Count on Me* (2000), she was receiving major critical attention for a leading role. The supporting parts that followed did not always give her enough space. In Richard Curtis’s *Love Actually* (2003), her Sarah suggests a life beyond the scenes allotted to her. We wanted Curtis to stay with her longer, but Linney cannot provide the time his crowded screenplay withholds.

Noah Baumbach’s *The Squid and the Whale* (2005) uses her impatience more sharply. As Joan Berkman, she gives the mother in this divorce comedy enough hurt and irritation to prevent her becoming merely the reasonable alternative to Jeff Daniels’s Bernard. The film is painfully funny, but Baumbach keeps returning to Bernard when Joan deserves more attention. Joan is allowed to be difficult, and Linney does not soften her for our convenience.

*John Adams* (2008) gives her Abigail a more substantial place beside Paul Giamatti’s John. She makes the effort of living with him worth considering in its own right, rather than leaving us waiting for the next famous name. Their conversations hold our attention through a seven-episode drama whose wandering structure and self-importance can be wearing. Her performance is a strong reason to be patient with it.

The longer stretch of *Ozark* (2017) allows a different development. Linney lets Wendy Byrde’s appetite emerge by degrees, while Jason Bateman’s Marty keeps calculating. His direction favours long, still shots of people deciding whether to lie, giving an actor’s smallest decisions time to register. Wendy’s gradual change is the most interesting thing the series sustains, even as it becomes merely efficient after two gripping seasons. For a first sustained look at what Linney does, though, give *John Adams* an episode at a time.

## Biography

Laura Linney is an American actress and director. She was born on 5 February 1964 in Manhattan, New York City.

Linney made her film debut in *Lorenzo's Oil* (1992) and received Academy Award nominations for *You Can Count on Me* (2000), *Kinsey* (2004) and *The Savages* (2007). Her other film roles include *Primal Fear* (1996), *The Truman Show* (1998), *Mystic River* (2003), *Love Actually* (2003), *Sully* (2016) and *Nocturnal Animals* (2016). On television she starred as Wendy Byrde in *Ozark* (2017–2022) and has received four Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for that series. She has also received two Golden Globe Awards.

Linney has directed episodes of *Ozark* and directed episodes 3 and 4 of the 2025 Netflix limited series *Black Rabbit*. She made her Broadway debut in 1990 and has received five Tony Award nominations.

*Sources: variety.com, en.wikipedia.org, ew.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (10) — the average rests on these

- *Lanterns* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Lianna — [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *Onwards and Sideways* (2026), Fi1m 72, as Emma Dretzin — [page](https://film.one/film/onwards-and-sideways.md)
- *Nocturnal Animals* (2016), Fi1m 74, as Anne Sutton — [page](https://film.one/film/nocturnal-animals.md)
- *Arthur Christmas* (2011), Fi1m 82, as North Pole Computer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md)
- *John Adams* (2008), Fi1m 81, as Abigail Adams — [page](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md)
- *The Squid and the Whale* (2005), Fi1m 83, as Joan Berkman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-squid-and-the-whale.md)
- *Love Actually* (2003), Fi1m 58, as Sarah — [page](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md)
- *Mystic River* (2003), Fi1m 82, as Annabeth Markum — [page](https://film.one/film/mystic-river.md)
- *The Truman Show* (1998), Fi1m 88, as Meryl Burbank / Hannah Gill — [page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md)
- *Primal Fear* (1996), Fi1m 71, as Janet Venable — [page](https://film.one/film/primal-fear.md)

### Directed (2)

- *Black Rabbit* (2025), Fi1m 63, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-rabbit.md)
- *Ozark* (2017), Fi1m 70, as Wendy Byrde — [page](https://film.one/tv/ozark.md)

## Complete filmography (85)

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

- *Rode to Ruin* (2027), Actor
- *Onwards and Sideways* (2026), as Emma Dretzin — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/onwards-and-sideways.md)
- *Lanterns* (2026), series, as Lianna — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *American Classic* (2026), series, as Kristen Forrest Bean · Executive Producer
- *The American Revolution* (2025), series, as Sarah Logan Fisher / Sarah Morris Mifflin / Eliza Wilkinson / Eliza Lucas Pickney (voice)
- *Black Rabbit* (2025), series, Director — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-rabbit.md)
- *Wildcat* (2024), as Regina O'Connor
- *Suncoast* (2024), as Kristine
- *The Miracle Club* (2023), as Chrissie Ahearn
- *Determined to Persevere: The Valley Forge Encampment* (2020), as Narrator
- *The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America* (2020), as Hannah Pitt
- *Falling* (2020), as Sarah (45 Yrs)
- *The Vote* (2020), series, Actor
- *The Roads Not Taken* (2020), as Rita
- *Tales of the City* (2019), series, as Mary Ann Singleton · Executive Producer
- *Sink Sank Sunk* (2018), series, as Mitzi Mills
- *Ozark* (2017), series, as Wendy Byrde · Director, Co-Executive Producer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/ozark.md)
- *The Dinner* (2017), as Claire Lohman
- *Red Nose Day Actually* (2017), as Sarah (US version)
- *Nocturnal Animals* (2016), as Anne Sutton — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/nocturnal-animals.md)
- *Sully* (2016), as Lorrie Sullenberger
- *Genius* (2016), as Louise Saunders
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows* (2016), as Chief Vincent
- *Mr. Holmes* (2015), as Mrs. Munro
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Laura Linney (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *The Fifth Estate* (2013), as Sarah Shaw
- *Morning* (2013), as Doctor Goodman
- *Hyde Park on Hudson* (2012), as Daisy
- *The Details* (2012), as Lila
- *Arthur Christmas* (2011), as North Pole Computer (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md)
- *The Big C* (2010), series, as Cathy Jamison · Executive Producer
- *Sympathy for Delicious* (2010), as Nina Hogue
- *The City of Your Final Destination* (2009), as Caroline Gund
- *The Other Man* (2008), as Lisa
- *John Adams* (2008), series, as Abigail Adams — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md)
- *The Savages* (2007), as Wendy Savage
- *The Nanny Diaries* (2007), as Mrs. X
- *The Hottest State* (2007), as Jesse
- *Breach* (2007), as Kate Burroughs
- *Man of the Year* (2006), as Eleanor Green
- *Driving Lessons* (2006), as Laura Marshall
- *Jindabyne* (2006), as Claire
- *Annie Oakley* (2006), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Armenian Genocide* (2006), as Maria Jacobsen (voice)
- *The Squid and the Whale* (2005), as Joan Berkman — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-squid-and-the-whale.md)
- *The Exorcism of Emily Rose* (2005), as Erin Bruner
- *Mary Pickford* (2005), as Narrator
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Doctor Gupta (voice)
- *P.S.* (2004), as Louise Harrington
- *Kinsey* (2004), as Clara McMillen
- *Mystic River* (2003), as Annabeth Markum — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/mystic-river.md)
- *Love Actually* (2003), as Sarah — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md)
- *The Life of David Gale* (2003), as Constance Hallaway
- *RI:SE* (2002), series, Actor
- *The Mothman Prophecies* (2002), as Connie Mills
- *The Laramie Project* (2002), as Sherry Johnson
- *Maze* (2001), as Callie
- *F. Scott Fitzgerald: Winter Dreams* (2001), as Zelda Fitzgerald
- *Further Tales of the City* (2001), series, as Mary Ann Singleton
- *Wild Iris* (2001), as Iris Bravard
- *The House of Mirth* (2000), as Bertha Dorset
- *Running Mates* (2000), as Lauren Hartman
- *You Can Count on Me* (2000), as Sammy
- *Love Letters* (1999), as Melissa Gardner Cobb
- *Lush* (1999), as Rachel Van Dyke
- *The Truman Show: Tru-Talk* (1998), as Hannah Gill
- *More Tales of the City* (1998), series, as Mary Ann Singleton
- *The Truman Show* (1998), as Meryl Burbank / Hannah Gill — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md)
- *Absolute Power* (1997), as Kate Whitney
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Marlene (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Primal Fear* (1996), as Janet Venable — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/primal-fear.md)
- *Congo* (1995), as Dr. Karen Ross
- *A Simple Twist of Fate* (1994), as Nancy Lambert Newland
- *Tales of the City* (1993), series, as Mary Ann Singleton
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Charlotte Connor, Mindy (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Searching for Bobby Fischer* (1993), as School Teacher
- *Dave* (1993), as Randi
- *Blind Spot* (1993), as Phoebe
- *Class of '61* (1993), as Lily Magraw
- *Lorenzo's Oil* (1992), as Young Teacher
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Martha Bowen — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *American Experience* (1988), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Assassins: A Film Concerning Rimbaud* (1985), Actor
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Mary Ann Singleton
- *The Joy of Sex*, as Ruth Comfort

## Gallery

- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-fe2ffd1fe125.jpg) Laura Linney — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Laura_Linney_Berlinale_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-9f4085eab7df.jpg) Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017 — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_01.jpg/1280px-Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-a91ddb2f77d2.jpg) Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017 — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_02.jpg/1280px-Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-4c37821093e6.jpg) Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017 — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_03.jpg/1280px-Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_03.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-febc53dfbb18.jpg) Laura Linney — Image via TMDB
- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-1f2ad575911f.jpg) Laura Linney — Image via TMDB
- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-5e37d6c92592.jpg) Laura Linney — Image via TMDB
- ![Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-0758f1c9cf73.jpg) Oren Moverman & Cast von The Dinner bei der Berlinale 2017 — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_04.jpg/1280px-Crew_The_Dinner_Berlinale_2017_04.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Tom Hooper, Laura Linney, and David Coatsworth 69th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf=Astoria Hotel New York (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-baf3b67c6715.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Tom Hooper, Laura Linney, and David Coatsworth 69th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf=Astoria Hotel New York (2009) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/John_Adams_%288166826503%29.jpg/1280px-John_Adams_%288166826503%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-5f570ba0f0d5.jpg) Laura Linney — Image via TMDB
- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-8d6665464173.jpg) Laura Linney — Image via TMDB
- ![Laura Linney](https://film.one/media/person/40256/gallery-3dbc414451e8.jpg) Laura Linney — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 3 nominated

- 2008: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Savages*
- 2005: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Kinsey*
- 2001: Best Actress (nominated), for *You Can Count on Me*

### Golden Globes — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2023: Best Actress – Television Series Drama (nominated), for *Ozark*
- 2009: Golden Globe Awards (won), for *John Adams*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 4 won

- 2013: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *The Big C*
- 2008: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *John Adams*
- 2004: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier*
- 2002: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Wild Iris*

### Other awards — 2 won, 3 nominated

- Crystal Award 2013: Crystal Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2010: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2005: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2002: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 1992: Theatre World Award (won), for *Sight Unseen*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© 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/laura-linney