---
name: "Patricia Clarkson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/patricia-clarkson"
fi1m_id: "patricia-clarkson"
imdb_id: "nm0165101"
tmdb_id: 1276
wikidata_id: "Q229268"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 December 1959"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-07T12:20:19.789314+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."
---

# Patricia Clarkson

## Identity

Patricia Clarkson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/patricia-clarkson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** patricia-clarkson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0165101
- **TMDB ID:** 1276
- **Wikidata ID:** Q229268
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Clarkson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229268, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0165101/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1276

Actor. Born 29 December 1959 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 December 1959, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- **Active:** 1987–present
- **Also known as:** Patty Clarkson, Patricia Davies Clarkson, Патриша Кларксон , 派翠西亞·克拉克森, پاتریشا کلارکسون
- **Frequently works with:** [Michelle Williams](https://film.one/person/michelle-williams.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 14 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 81 (1), 1990s 78 (2), 2000s 80 (6), 2010s 80 (3), 2020s 65 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 73 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 8 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 12 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Crime 4, Comedy 3, History 3, Thriller 3, Mystery 2
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $952m across 10 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Clarkson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229268, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0165101/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1276

## Coming up

- *The Comebacker* (2027-07-29)

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*The Untouchables*](https://film.one/film/the-untouchables.md) (81), [*Shutter Island*](https://film.one/film/shutter-island.md) (80), [*Easy A*](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md) (77)
- **HBO Max:** [*Sharp Objects*](https://film.one/tv/sharp-objects.md) (84)
- **MUBI:** [*Dogville*](https://film.one/film/dogville.md) (74)
- **Netflix:** [*She Said*](https://film.one/film/she-said.md) (73)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Vicky Cristina Barcelona*](https://film.one/film/vicky-cristina-barcelona.md) (70)

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

## Fi1m on Patricia Clarkson

> Patricia Clarkson makes a quiet part worth watching without making the character easy to read. We value her most when a director gives her time and does not insist that everyone become agreeable.

In *The Station Agent* (2003), Patricia Clarkson's Olivia Harris is harder to read than the men around her. Bobby Cannavale's Joe Oramas supplies the comic pressure; Peter Dinklage answers it with watchful stillness. Clarkson does not try to compete with either of them, and the friendship is better for having three people who are funny differently. Tom McCarthy gives her space to remain awkward.

Her breakthrough came as the former actress Greta in *High Art* (1998), after years of minor film roles. The throaty voice is distinctive, but the small amount she needs to do is more important. Across independent drama and comedy, she can make a character's feelings register with little outward fuss. Her Joy Burns in *Pieces of April* (2003) is another example of the substantial work she can do in a supporting part.

*The Station Agent* also shows why that restraint needs a director willing to leave it alone. We felt at ease with these people because Clarkson, Dinklage and Cannavale let their awkwardness survive the growing friendship. McCarthy occasionally pushes the plotting along too helpfully, making the film less convincing when he tries hardest to make it warm. Clarkson's less readable presence matters: she keeps Olivia from seeming like someone whose purpose is to complete a pleasing trio.

In Todd Haynes's *Far from Heaven* (2002), she plays Eleanor Fine within a much more formally arranged drama. Our strongest response there is to Julianne Moore, whose politeness becomes painful to watch. The parallel stories can feel too neatly matched, but the performances make the hurt convincing. For Clarkson's work, though, we would start with the less orderly company of *The Station Agent*.

Her television work includes Sarah O'Connor in *Six Feet Under* (2002–2005) and Adora Crellin, the controlling mother in *Sharp Objects* (2018). The reservation is about the parts available: she has often been offered matronly supporting roles and has had to press for more substantial work. That risks making her familiar before she has had a chance to surprise us. The next director can afford to let her be difficult.

## Biography

Patricia Clarkson is an American actress. Born in New Orleans, she studied at Fordham University and earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. She made her feature film debut in *The Untouchables* (1987).

Clarkson has appeared in supporting roles in films including *The Green Mile* (1999), *Far from Heaven* (2002) as Eleanor Fine, *Pieces of April* (2003) and *The Station Agent* (2003). She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for *Pieces of April*. On television she won two Primetime Emmy Awards for guest appearances in *Six Feet Under* and a Golden Globe Award for *Sharp Objects* (2018). She has also featured in the *Maze Runner* film series.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, archive.ph.*

## On Fi1m (14)

- *Ransom Canyon* (2025), Fi1m 57, as Claire O'Grady — [page](https://film.one/tv/ransom-canyon.md)
- *She Said* (2022), Fi1m 73, as Rebecca Corbett — [page](https://film.one/film/she-said.md)
- *Sharp Objects* (2018), Fi1m 84, as Adora Crellin — [page](https://film.one/tv/sharp-objects.md)
- *Easy A* (2010), Fi1m 77, as Rosemary — [page](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md)
- *Shutter Island* (2010), Fi1m 80, as Rachel 2 — [page](https://film.one/film/shutter-island.md)
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), Fi1m 83, as Tammy One — [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *Vicky Cristina Barcelona* (2008), Fi1m 70, as Judy Nash — [page](https://film.one/film/vicky-cristina-barcelona.md)
- *Good Night, and Good Luck.* (2005), Fi1m 83, as Shirley Wershba — [page](https://film.one/film/good-night-and-good-luck.md)
- *Dogville* (2003), Fi1m 74, as Vera — [page](https://film.one/film/dogville.md)
- *The Station Agent* (2003), Fi1m 82, as Olivia Harris — [page](https://film.one/film/the-station-agent.md)
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), Fi1m 87, as Eleanor Fine — [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *The Green Mile* (1999), Fi1m 73, as Melinda Moores — [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *Murder One* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Annie Hoffman — [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *The Untouchables* (1987), Fi1m 81, as Catherine Ness — [page](https://film.one/film/the-untouchables.md)

## Complete filmography (108)

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

- *The Comebacker* (2027), Actor
- *Lilly* (2025), as Lilly Ledbetter
- *Ransom Canyon* (2025), series, as Claire — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/ransom-canyon.md)
- *Gray* (2023), series, as Cornelia Gray
- *Monica* (2023), as Eugenia
- *She Said* (2022), as Rebecca Corbett — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/she-said.md)
- *Hemingway* (2021), series, as Pauline Pfeiffer (voice), Grace Hemingway (voice)
- *The Vote* (2020), series, Actor
- *Green Eggs and Ham* (2019), series, as Pam-I-Am (voice)
- *Almost Love* (2019), as Ravella Brewer
- *State of the Union* (2019), series, as Ellen
- *Out of Blue* (2019), as Det. Mike Hoolihan
- *Jonathan* (2018), as Dr. Mina Nariman
- *Sharp Objects* (2018), series, as Adora Crellin — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/sharp-objects.md)
- *Delirium* (2018), as Brody
- *Maze Runner: The Death Cure* (2018), as Ava Paige
- *The Bookshop* (2017), as Violet Gamart
- *The Party* (2017), as April
- *Super Hummingbirds* (2016), as Narrator
- *Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials* (2015), as Ava Paige
- *Annie* (2014), as Focus Group Woman
- *October Gale* (2014), as Helen Matthews
- *The Maze Runner* (2014), as Ava Paige
- *Last Weekend* (2014), as Celia Green
- *Learning to Drive* (2014), as Wendy
- *Regarding Susan Sontag* (2014), as Susan Sontag (voice)
- *Broad City* (2014), series, as Timothy's mother — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/broad-city.md)
- *The East* (2013), as Sharon
- *House of Cards* (2013), series, as Jane Davis
- *The Dust Bowl* (2012), series, as Hazel Lucas Shaw
- *It's Getting Late* (2012), as Lou
- *Five* (2011), as Mia
- *Prohibition* (2011), series, as Reader / Carrie Nation (voice)
- *Friends with Benefits* (2011), as Lorna
- *One Day* (2011), as Alison Mayhew
- *Rise* (2011), as Maribel Vinson Owen
- *Main Street* (2010), as Willa Jenkins
- *Easy A* (2010), as Rosemary — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md)
- *Legendary* (2010), as Sharon
- *Shutter Island* (2010), as Rachel 2 — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/shutter-island.md)
- *Beyond All Boundaries* (2009), as Marguerite Higgins
- *Cairo Time* (2009), as Juliette Grant
- *Whatever Works* (2009), as Marietta
- *2081* (2009), as Narrator
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as Tammy One — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism* (2009), as Narrator
- *Blind Date* (2008), as Janna
- *Vicky Cristina Barcelona* (2008), as Judy Nash — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/vicky-cristina-barcelona.md)
- *Elegy* (2008), as Carolyn
- *Married Life* (2008), as Pat Allen
- *Phoebe in Wonderland* (2008), as Miss Dodger
- *Lars and the Real Girl* (2007), as Dagmar
- *No Reservations* (2007), as Paula
- *Amazing Planet* (2007), series, as Narrator
- *All the King's Men* (2006), as Sadie Burke
- *The Woods* (2006), as Mrs. Traverse
- *Good Night, and Good Luck.* (2005), as Shirley Wershba — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/good-night-and-good-luck.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Meredith Fields (voice)
- *The Dying Gaul* (2005), as Elaine Tishop
- *Miracle* (2004), as Patty Brooks
- *The Station Agent* (2003), as Olivia Harris — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-station-agent.md)
- *Pieces of April* (2003), as Joy Burns
- *Dogville* (2003), as Vera — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/dogville.md)
- *All the Real Girls* (2003), as Elvira
- *Heartbreak Hospital* (2002), as Lottie Ohrwasher
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), as Eleanor Fine — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *Carrie* (2002), as Margaret White
- *The Safety of Objects* (2002), as Annette Jennings
- *Welcome to Collinwood* (2002), as Rosalind
- *The Baroness and the Pig* (2002), as The Baroness
- *Wendigo* (2002), as Kim
- *Falling Like This* (2001), as Caroline Lockhart
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Sarah O'Connor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *The Pledge* (2001), as Margaret Larsen
- *Wonderland* (2000), series, as Tammy Banger
- *Joe Gould's Secret* (2000), as Vivian Marquie
- *The Green Mile* (1999), as Melinda Moores — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *Wayward Son* (1999), as Wesley
- *Simply Irresistible* (1999), as Lois McNally
- *Playing by Heart* (1998), as Allison
- *High Art* (1998), as Greta
- *London Suite* (1996), as Diana Nichols
- *Jumanji* (1995), as Carol Parrish
- *Murder One* (1995), series, as Annie Hoffman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *Pharaoh's Army* (1995), as Sarah Anders
- *She Led Two Lives* (1994), as Desiree Parnell
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Claire French — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Caught in the Act* (1993), as Meg
- *Alex Haley's Queen* (1993), series, as Lizzie
- *Four Eyes and Six-Guns* (1992), as Lucy Laughton
- *An American Story* (1992), as Barbara Meade
- *Legacy of Lies* (1992), as Pat Rafael
- *Blind Man's Bluff* (1992), as Dr. Virginia Hertz
- *Davis Rules* (1991), series, as Cosmo Yeargin
- *Tune in Tomorrow...* (1990), as Aunt Olga
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Laura Winthrop — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *The Old Man and the Sea* (1990), as Mary Pruitt
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Suzy
- *Everybody's All-American* (1988), as Leslie Stone
- *Rocket Gibraltar* (1988), as Rose Black
- *The Dead Pool* (1988), as Samantha Walker
- *The Untouchables* (1987), as Catherine Ness — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-untouchables.md)
- *Spenser: For Hire* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Deborah Wade
- *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, Actor
- *What Happens at Night*, Actor
- *Light on Broken Glass*, as Melody Harper

## Gallery

- ![Patricia Clarkson](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-353543279f86.jpg) Patricia Clarkson — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Patricia_Clarkson_Press_Conference_The_Party_Berlinale_2017_01_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Patricia_Clarkson_Press_Conference_The_Party_Berlinale_2017_01_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bruno Ganz, Patricia Clarkson und Sally Potter bei der Pressekonferenz zu The Party bei der Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-9ca68ef06ade.jpg) Bruno Ganz, Patricia Clarkson und Sally Potter bei der Pressekonferenz zu The Party bei der Berlinale 2017 — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Bruno_Ganz%2C_Patricia_Clarkson_und_Sally_Potter_Press_Conference_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg/1280px-Bruno_Ganz%2C_Patricia_Clarkson_und_Sally_Potter_Press_Conference_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bruno Ganz und Patricia Clarkson bei der Pressekonferenz zu The Party bei der Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-43b687ad8b0a.jpg) Bruno Ganz und Patricia Clarkson bei der Pressekonferenz zu The Party bei der Berlinale 2017 — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Bruno_Ganz_und_Patricia_Clarkson_Press_Conference_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg/1280px-Bruno_Ganz_und_Patricia_Clarkson_Press_Conference_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast & Crew beim Photo Call zu The Party bei der Berlinale 2017 v.l.n.r. Kurban Kassam (Produzent/Producer) Timothy Spall (Schauspieler/Actor) Patricia Clar](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-b818f48b94f4.jpg) Cast & Crew beim Photo Call zu The Party bei der Berlinale 2017 v.l.n.r. Kurban Kassam (Produzent/Producer) Timothy Spall (Schauspieler/Actor) Patricia Clar — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Cast_%26_Crew_Photo_Call_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg/1280px-Cast_%26_Crew_Photo_Call_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Patricia Clarkson](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-9172966598c6.jpg) Patricia Clarkson — Image via TMDB
- ![Patricia Clarkson](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-b1c53508d376.jpg) Patricia Clarkson — Image via TMDB
- ![Cast & Crew bei der Weltpremiere von The Party im Rahmen der Berlinale 2017: v.l.n.r. Patricia Clarkson, Sally Potter, Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas,](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-8aa7d45aa7eb.jpg) Cast & Crew bei der Weltpremiere von The Party im Rahmen der Berlinale 2017: v.l.n.r. Patricia Clarkson, Sally Potter, Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas, — Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Cast_%26_Crew_World_Premiere_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg/1280px-Cast_%26_Crew_World_Premiere_The_Party_Berlinale_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Patricia Clarkson presenting the movie Final Portrait at the Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/97875/gallery-53092abb3a96.jpg) Patricia Clarkson presenting the movie Final Portrait at the Berlinale 2017 — Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/MJK32275_Patricia_Clarkson_%28Final_Portrait%2C_Berlinale_2017%29.jpg/1280px-MJK32275_Patricia_Clarkson_%28Final_Portrait%2C_Berlinale_2017%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2004: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Pieces of April*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 2018: Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (won)

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won

- 2006: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Six Feet Under*
- 2002: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Six Feet Under*

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2015: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Saturn Awards 1999: Best Supporting Actress (won)

*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/patricia-clarkson