Actor
Elizabeth McGovern
Born 18 July 1961 · Evanston, Illinois, USA
Elizabeth McGovern is an American actress who made her film debut in Ordinary People (1980) and was Oscar-nominated the next year for Ragtime. She is known for Once Upon a Time in America and for playing Cora, Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey on television and film. She also works extensively in theatre.
Key films
Ordinary People (1980)
Her film debut, in Robert Redford's Oscar-winning drama, while she was still a student at Juilliard.
Ragtime (1981)
As Evelyn Nesbit, she earned an Oscar nomination and established herself as a leading young actress.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Played Deborah in Sergio Leone's gangster epic opposite Robert De Niro, one of her best-known screen roles.
Johnny Handsome (1989)
Leading female role opposite Mickey Rourke in Walter Hill's crime thriller.
Downton Abbey (2019)
Big-screen continuation of the hit series in which she plays Cora, Countess of Grantham.
Key awards
- 1982 – Golden Globe, New Star of the Year (Actress), for Ragtime
- 1982 – Academy Award nomination, Best Supporting Actress, for Ragtime (not a win)
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 60
- 1980Ordinary People · as Jeannine PrattActor
- 1981Ragtime · as Evelyn NesbitActor
- 1981Chytilová Versus Forman · as SelfActor
- 1983Lovesick · as Chloe AllenActor
- 1984Once Upon a Time in America · as DeborahActor
- 1984Racing with the Moon · as Caddie WingerActor
- 1984Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs · as Snow WhiteActor
- 1986Native Son · as Mary DaltonActor
- 1987The Bedroom Window · as DeniseActor
- 1988She's Having a Baby · as Kristy BriggsActor
- 1989Johnny Handsome · as Donna McCartyActor
- 1990The Handmaid's Tale · as MoiraActor
- 1990A Shock to the System · as Stella AndersonActor
- 1990Tune in Tomorrow... · as Elena QuinceActor
- 1990Women and Men: Stories of Seduction · as Vicki (segment "The Man in the Brooks Brothers Shirt")Actor
- 1992Tales from Hollywood · as Helen SchwartzActor
- 1993King of the Hill · as LydiaActor
- 1993Me and Veronica · as FannyActor
- 1993The Changeling · as Beatrice-JoannaActor
- 1994The Favor · as EmilyActor
- 1995Wings of Courage · as Noëlle GuillaumetActor
- 1995Broken Trust · as Janice DillonActor
- 1996The Summer of Ben Tyler · as Celia RayburnActor
- 1996Broken Glass · as Margaret HymanActor
- 1997The Wings of the Dove · as Susan StringhamActor
- 1997Clover · as Sara KateActor
- 1998The Man with Rain in His Shoes · as DianeActor
- 1998The Misadventures of Margaret · as Till TurnerActor
- 2000The House of Mirth · as Mrs. Carry FisherActor
- 2000Manila · as ElizabethActor
- 2001The Flamingo Rising · as Edna LeeActor
- 2001Hawkins · as Susie HawkinsActor
- 2002Buffalo Soldiers · as Mrs. BermanActor
- 2003Thursday the 12th · as Candice HopperActor
- 2004Remembering Ragtime · as Evelyn Nesbit (archive footage)Actor
- 2006The Truth · as DonnaActor
- 2007Daphne · as Ellen DoubledayActor
- 2007A Room with a View · as Mrs HoneychurchActor
- 2008Inconceivable · as Tallulah 'Tutu' WilliamsActor
- 2010Kick-Ass · as Mrs. LizewskiActor
- 2010Clash of the Titans · as MarmaraActor
- 2011Angels Crest · as JaneActor
- 2011Wallis Simpson: The Secret Letters · as Wallis Simpson (Voice)Actor
- 2012Cheerful Weather for the Wedding · as Mrs. ThatchamActor
- 2012Screen Goddesses · as NarratorActor
- 2015Woman in Gold · as Judge Florence-Marie CooperActor
- 2015Unexpected · as CarolynActor
- 2015Swung · as Dolly AdamsActor
- 2016Showing Roots · as ShirleyActor
- 2016The Queen At 90 · as NarratorActor
- 2017The Wife · as Elaine MozellActor
- 2018The Commuter · as Karen MacCauleyActor
- 2019Downton Abbey · as Cora CrawleyActor
- 2019The Chaperone · as NormaActor
- 2019JFK Jr. and Carolyn's Wedding: The Lost Tapes · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2022Downton Abbey: A New Era · as Cora CrawleyActor
- 2024And Mrs. · as MargaretActor
- 2025Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale · as Cora CrawleyActor
- 2025Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale · as SelfActor
- 2027SeasonsActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.