Mary Catherine McCormack (born February 8, 1969[1]) is an American actress. She has had leading roles as Justine Appleton on the series Murder One (1995–1997), as Deputy National Security Adviser Kate Harper on The West Wing (2004–2006), as Deputy U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon on In Plain Sight (2008–2012), and as Peggy on the comedy series The Kids Are Alright (2018–2019).
McCormack was born in Plainfield, New Jersey.[1] She is the daughter of clinical therapist Norah and car dealership and ice cream parlor owner William McCormack.[2] Her parents divorced in 1990.[3] Her sister Bridget was the chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court[4] and a professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School.[5] Her brother William is an actor, writer and producer[6] who has appeared in a recurring role as FBI agent Robert O'Connor on In Plain Sight.
In 1987, McCormack graduated from the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, New Jersey. In 1991, she received her BA in comparative arts, specifically painting and creative writing, from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.[7]
McCormack starred in the USA Network series In Plain Sight. She portrayed Mary Shannon, a deputy United States marshal attached to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, office of the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC), more commonly known as the Federal Witness Protection Program. On July 28, 2010, the show was renewed for its fourth and fifth seasons, to run in 2011 and 2012.[12] The show was ended in 2011, making the fifth season its last.[13] After its end, McCormack was cast as the lead in Kari Lizer's untitled comedy pilot on ABC.[14]
In 2012, McCormack reunited with the cast of The West Wing to film a video that served both as a reminder that U.S. voters should vote for nonpartisan candidates when they cast their ballots and as a video promoting McCormack's sister's ultimately successful judicial candidacy for the Michigan State Supreme Court.[19]
In 2018, McCormack began starring in the ABC sitcom The Kids Are Alright as Catholic family matriarch Peggy Cleary. ABC canceled the series after one season.[26]
Personal life
In July 2003, McCormack married director and producer Michael Morris.[27] Together they have three children.[28]