Born in Hope, Arkansas. Talented lady of the American stage and screen. She burst on the Broadway scene in 1962 with an emotionally charged performance as Honey in the original production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She subsequently appeared in many other plays and TV programs and was first seen on the screen in 1969, but began appearing regularly in films in the late 70s. She was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Supporting Actress for CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) and ABSENCE OF MALICE (1981). Her performance in A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) remains a classic that deserves to be viewed annually. Other notable (non-nominated) credits include F.I.S.T. (1978), SONGWRITER (1984), HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS (1988), THE PRINCE OF TIDES (1991), HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT and TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR (both 1995), MAGNOLIA (1999), COWBOY UP (2001), DEBATING ROBERT LEE (2004), ADAM & STEVE (2005), and REIGN OVER ME (2007).  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1977: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1981: ABSENCE OF MALICE 2 nominations