Marcia Anne Cross (born March 25, 1962 in Marlborough, Massachusetts) is an American actress.
She's made the bulk of her career on television, starting with one-episode roles in daytime soap operas and some sitcoms in The '80s. Her most famous roles are Dr. Kimberly Shaw in Melrose Place (which was also her big breakout) and Bree Van de Kamp/Hodge in Desperate Housewives. The latter earned her a number of nominations at the Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Selected filmography:
- The Edge of Night (1984) as Liz Correll
- Tales from the Darkside (1986) as Marie Alcott
- Another World (1986) as Tanya
- One Life to Live (1986-1988) as Kate Sanders
- Cheers (1988) as Susan Howe
- It's Garry Shandling's Show (1989) as Christine
- Who's the Boss? (1989) as Kelly
- Doctor Doctor (1989) as Lesley North
- Quantum Leap (1990) as Stephanie Heywood
- Jake and the Fatman (1991) as Marci Terrel
- Knots Landing (1991-1992) as Victoria Broyelard
- Herman's Head (1992) as Princess Gillian
- Murder, She Wrote (1992) as Marci Bowman
- Melrose Place (1992-1997) as Kimberly Shaw
- Raven (1993) as Carla Dellatory
- Burke's Law (revival, 1995) as Leslie Dolan
- Ned & Stacey (1997) as Diana Huntley
- Seinfeld (1997) as Dr. Sara Sitarides
- Desperate Housewives (2004-2012) as Bree Van de Kamp/Hodge/Weston (née Mason)
- Quantico (2015-2017) as Vice President/President Claire Haas
Tropes in her works:
- Fiery Redhead: She certainly has a knack for playing these. Even Bree reveals herself as one at times in Desperate Housewives.
- Those Two Actors: She and her future Desperate Housewives co-star Brenda Strong both starred in Everwood. Strong guest-starred in a few episodes while Cross was a steady cast-member from 2003-2004. They never were in the same episodes. They also both guest-starred in different episodes of Ally McBeal. They separately guest starred in back-to-back episodes of Seinfeld during Season 9. Cross appeared dating Jerry as life-saving dermatologist Dr. Sara Sitarides, and Strong in her recurring role as Sue Ellen "The Bra-less Wonder" Mischke.
