Dana Delany

Dana Delany

Dana Delany

Dana Delany (born March 13, 1956) is an American actress, producer, and activist. She is best known for her roles in television series such as China Beach, Desperate Housewives, and Body of Proof. Delany has received critical acclaim and several awards for her performances, including two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early Life

Dana Welles Delany was born in New York City, New York, and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. She is of Irish and English descent. Delany attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where she was a member of the first co-educational class. She later graduated from Wesleyan University in 1978 with a degree in theater.

Career

Early Career

Delany began her career in the late 1970s with small roles in television and theater. She made her television debut in the soap opera Love of Life and appeared in various stage productions, including the Broadway show A Life.

Breakthrough Role

Delany's breakthrough role came in 1988 when she was cast as Colleen McMurphy in the ABC television drama China Beach. Her portrayal of a strong, compassionate nurse during the Vietnam War earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Continued Success

After China Beach, Delany continued to work in both television and film. She starred in the short-lived series Pasadena and had notable roles in films such as Tombstone and Fly Away Home. In 2004, she joined the cast of the popular ABC series Desperate Housewives as Katherine Mayfair, a role she played until 2010.

Recent Work

From 2011 to 2013, Delany starred as Dr. Megan Hunt in the medical drama Body of Proof. She has also lent her voice to various animated series and films, including the role of Lois Lane in the DC Animated Universe.

Personal Life

Delany is known for her activism and support of various causes, including women's rights and healthcare. She has been involved with organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

Awards and Nominations

Delany has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, including:

• Two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for China Beach
• A Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama for China Beach
• A Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives

Filmography

Film

• Tombstone (1993)
• Fly Away Home (1996)
• Wide Awake (1998)

Television

• Love of Life (1979-1980)
• China Beach (1988-1991)
• Pasadena (2001-2002)
• Desperate Housewives (2007-2010)
• Body of Proof (2011-2013)