Marcia Cross

Massachusetts, the youngest of three daughters born to Janet, a teacher, and Mark Cross, a personnel manager. She developed a passion for acting early, starring in her sixth-grade school play The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and later led her high school drama club into taking a field trip to New York City—an experience that deepened her love for theater.

Awarded a half-scholarship, she studied at Juilliard, earning a BFA in Acting in 1984. That same year, she began her professional career with a recurring role on the soap opera The Edge of Night. She subsequently appeared in Another World and One Life to Live, and also in TV movies like Brass and The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James .

Her big break came when she was cast as Dr. Kimberly Shaw in Melrose Place (1992–1997), a role that made her a household name. Afterwards, she pursued academic interests and earned a Master’s degree in Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles in 2003.

In 2004, she landed the iconic role of Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), winning two SAG Awards and earning multiple nominations from the Golden Globes, Emmys, Satellite Awards, and others for her portrayal of the perfect suburban mother with a complex inner life .

After Desperate Housewives, Marcia continued acting in TV series such as Everwood, Quantico, You, and Monarch, showcasing her versatility across genres .

On a personal front, Marcia married stockbroker Tom Mahoney in 2006. The couple welcomed twin daughters, Savannah and Eden, in 2007 through IVF. In late 2017, she was diagnosed with anal cancer during a routine exam and underwent successful treatment, entering remission the following year. Since then, she’s become a vocal advocate for anal cancer awareness and HPV vaccination.

Returning to her theatrical roots, Marcia made a stage comeback in 2023, starring in the Off-Broadway play Pay the Writer, a project that reignited her passion for live performance.