William H. Huffman

Felicity Huffman is an American actress born in 1962, known for her prominent roles in television and film. She gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Lynette Scavo in the ABC comedy-drama 'Desperate Housewives' and for her critically acclaimed performance as a transgender woman in the 2005 film 'Transamerica.' Her acting career began in theater, and throughout the 1990s, she took on numerous supporting roles in various film and television projects. Huffman's work has earned her numerous awards and nominations, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination. Beyond her most famous roles, she has appeared in a diverse range of films and television series, demonstrating her versatility as an actress. Her career also includes significant stage work, including Broadway appearances and award-winning performances in plays.

Born Felicity Kendall Huffman on December 9, 1962, in Bedford, New York, she was raised in a well-off family. Following her parents' divorce shortly after her birth, she was brought up by both. During her teenage years, she learned that Roger Tallman Maher was her biological father. Huffman's mother relocated to Snowmass, Colorado, in the 1970s, where Felicity and her siblings spent their formative years. Her family lineage includes notable figures such as Gershom Moore Peters, founder of the Peters Cartridge Company and a Baptist minister; Frederick Berthold Ewing, a Yale graduate and St. Louis businessman; and Joseph Warren King, founder of the King Mills Powder Company. Huffman's educational background includes attending The Putney School, graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, and studying at New York University, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Huffman initiated her professional acting journey on stage in 1982, dedicating much of the 1980s and 1990s to theater productions. Her Broadway debut occurred in 1988 in David Mamet's play 'Speed the Plow.' She received an Obie Award in 1995 for her role in Mamet's 'The Cryptogram.' In 1999, she starred in the premiere of Mamet's play 'Boston Marriage,' which explored an intimate relationship between two women at the turn of the century, alongside other significant theatrical roles. Her early film appearances included a small part in Mamet's 'Things Change' (1988) and a role as a Harvard law student in 'Reversal of Fortune' (1990). Throughout the 1990s, she also took on supporting roles in films like 'Hackers' (1995) and 'The Underworld' (1997), and made guest appearances on television shows such as 'The X-Files' and 'Law & Order.'

Huffman achieved widespread recognition for her role as Dana Whitaker in the ABC comedy-drama 'Sports Night' (1998–2000), which garnered award nominations. Her career reached new heights with her role as Lynette Scavo in 'Desperate Housewives' (2004–2012), earning her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Golden Globe nominations. In 2005, her performance as a transgender woman in the independent film 'Transamerica' earned her critical praise and awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and an Academy Award nomination. She has since continued to appear in various films and television projects, including 'American Crime' (2015–2017), for which she received further Emmy nominations.