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Megan Gallagher

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For the handballer, see Megan Gallagher (handballer).
Megan Gallagher
A headshot portrait of a woman smiling
Gallagher in 2006
Born (1960-02-06) February 6, 1960 (age 64)
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationJuilliard School (BFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1984–present
SpouseJeff Yagher
Children2

Megan Gallagher (born February 6, 1960) is an American theater and television actress. Having studied at the Juilliard School under the supervision of John Houseman, Gallagher began her career on stage, and has appeared in several Broadway theatre productions, winning a Theatre World Award for her role in A Few Good Men.

From there, Gallagher moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting in film and television; after making a screen debut in George Washington, she graduated to recurring roles in Hill Street Blues and China Beach, and starring roles in The Slap Maxwell Story, The Larry Sanders Show and Millennium. The role of Catherine Black in that series had been written with Gallagher in mind.

Early life and education

Gallagher was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1960,[1][2] to Aileen and Donald Gallagher.[3] She was the fifth of six children.[4] Her mother had also been an actor in her youth, retiring when she began a family. Gallagher credits her own career to her mother, who would take her to Broadway theatre productions as a child.[5] She has also cited Mary Tyler Moore and Katharine Hepburn as influences on her career.[6] She attended Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School, where she elected not to attend her high school prom in order to continue her rehearsals at a local community theatre, Genesius Theatre.[4]

Gallagher moved to New York City to study acting at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of John Houseman.[1][7] She then relocated to Los Angeles.[8]

Career

Gallagher began her career on stage, appearing in a production of Paul Osborn's Oliver Oliver before being cast in the 1989 Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men.[9] Her portrayal of LCDR JoAnne Galloway in the latter production earned her a Theatre World Award,[10] and an Outer Critics Circle Award.[11] In 1993, she took part in Broadway productions of both parts of Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes—Millennium Approaches and Perestroika.[2]

Gallagher's television debut was in the miniseries George Washington.[12] She gained the lead role in the pilot At Your Service, and a guest spot in the first episode of L.A. Law.[4] She then went on to appear as a series regular towards the end of Hill Street Blues' run,[1] before going on to play a recurring role in China Beach; she still maintains a friendship with China Beach co-star Robert Picardo.[13] Gallagher's role of Catherine Black in Millennium had been written by creator Chris Carter with her in mind specifically, as he had been impressed with her work as Jeannie Sanders on The Larry Sanders Show.[14] Gallagher was also keen to work with Carter, having admired his creation of the character Dana Scully for The X-Files, whom she saw as a positive example of an intriguing female character on television.[8] Gallagher also appeared in the legal drama Suits, acting alongside her Juilliard classmate Wendell Pierce.[13]

Personal life

Gallagher is married to actor Jeff Yagher,[13] and has two children,[5] a pair of twins.[15] She is related by marriage to actress Catherine Hicks and make-up artist Kevin Yagher.[13]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role
1990 The Ambulance Sandra Malloy
1991 In a Strangers Hand Laura McKillin
1995 Breaking Free Annie Sobel
1996 Crosscut Annie Hennessey
2001 Blind Obsession Rebecca Rose
2002 Contagion Dr. Diane Landis
2002 Van Wilder Holyoake Hottie
2003 Inhabited Meg Russel
2005 Mr. & Mrs. Smith 40s Woman
2011 Alyce Kills Ginny
2015 Get a Job Abbey

Television

Year Title Role
1984 Sins of the Past Ellen Easton
1984 George Washington Peggy Shippen
1986 L.A. Law Leslie Aaron
1986 Hill Street Blues Tina Russo
1987 The Slap Maxwell Story Judy Ralston
1989 Champagne Charlie Pauline
1989 China Beach Wayloo Marie Holmes
1991 Law & Order Monica Devries
1991 Blossom Arlene
1991 Pacific Station Sandy Calloway
1991 ...And then She Was Gone Laura McKillin
1992 The Larry Sanders Show Jeannie Sanders
1993 Picket Fences Sydney Hall
1993 Empty Nest Heather Cook
1993 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Nurse Garland / Mareel
1995 Nowhere Man Alyson Veil
1996 ER Kathy Snyder
1996 Millennium Catherine Black
1998 The Christmas Takeover Elyse Madison
1999 The Outer Limits Terry Russo
1999 Lethal Vows Lorraine Farris
2000 Chicken Soup for the Soul Carrie
2000 Star Trek: Voyager Lt. Jaryn
2001 Family Law Jamie Washington
2002 Without a Trace Mrs. Freedman
2003 The District Dr. Cherry
2003 1st to Die Jill Barnhart
2004 Life as We Know It Leslie Miller
2006 7th Heaven Rose's Mom
2007 24 Jillian Wallace
2010 The Mentalist May Nelson
2013 Suits Laura Zane
2017 Double Mommy Tricia Bell
2017 Designated Survivor Alice Rowland

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c "Megan Gallagher | Biography and Filmography". Hollywood.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Megan Gallagher | IBDB: The official source for Broadway information". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  3. ^ Abrams, Mark (November 1, 1987). "Local Actress Makes Strides". Reading Eagle. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Matthews, Jay (October 28, 1987). "Taking a 'Slap' Shot at Success; Megan Gallagher, Losing the Blues in 'Maxwell' Role". The Washington Post. HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  5. ^ a b McLean et al. 2012, p. 91.
  6. ^ McLean et al. 2012, pp. 91–92.
  7. ^ Gussow, Mel (April 29, 1982). "The Stage - Juilliard Theatre Students put on 'Love Labour's Lost'". New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Genge 1997, p. 78.
  9. ^ McLean et al. 2012, p. 92.
  10. ^ "Theatre World Awards". Theatre World. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  11. ^ "Awards for 1989–1990". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Megan Gallagher Profile". Metacritic. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d "Star Trek Exclusive Interview: DS9 & Voyager Guest Star Megan Gallagher". StarTrek.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  14. ^ McLean et al. 2012, p. 90.
  15. ^ Lee, Luaine (November 9, 2003). "Megan Gallagher returns in Hallmark's 'A Time to Remember'". Knight Ridder/Tribune. HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.

References

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