Maura Tierney - wikipedia Maura Tierney Maura Tierney Tierney in May 2015 ( 1965 - 02 - 03 ) February 3, 1965 ( age 53 ) Boston, Massachusetts, United States Occupation Actress Years active 1987 -- present Spouse ( s ) Billy Morrissette ( 1993 -- 2006 : divorced ) Maura Tierney ( born February 3, 1965 ) is an American film and television actress who is best known for her roles as Lisa Miller on the sitcom NewsRadio, Audrey Reede in Liar Liar ( 1997 ), Abby Lockhart on the medical drama ER, and Helen Solloway on the television drama The Affair, for which she won the Golden Globe Award in 2016. Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 4.1 Film 4.2 Television 5 Awards and nominations 6 References 7 External links Early Life Tierney, the eldest of three children, was born and raised in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, to an Irish Catholic family. Her mother, Pat ( née James ), is a real estate broker, and her late father, Joseph M. Tierney, was a prominent Boston politician who served on the Boston City Council for 15 years. Tierney attended Mount Alvernia Academy elementary school and Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, Massachusetts, where her studies included drama, which led to her appearance at the Boston Globe Drama Festival. After graduation, she attended New York University, where she majored first in dance, then in drama. Career After appearing in several plays, Tierney moved to Los Angeles, California, and in 1987 got her first break with a role in Disney 's made - for - TV film Student Exchange. Tierney 's first starring role in a film was in a low - budget independent film called Dead Women in Lingerie, shot in 24 days. The film never received a theatrical release, although it was released on DVD in 2005. Tierney had a number of small roles in film and television but first received regular national exposure with her leading role in the sitcom NewsRadio from 1995 to 1999. While she was a NewsRadio cast member, she also appeared in several successful films, including Primal Fear, Primary Colors, Forces of Nature, Welcome to Mooseport, and Liar Liar opposite Jim Carrey. After NewsRadio was canceled, Tierney decided not to pursue a role in another sitcom : ( W ) hen NewsRadio got canceled,... I thought, there 's probably not gon na be something like ( that show ) again for me... So then, when ER called... that was a way to stay in ( television ) that would remain interesting for me. From 1999 to 2008, Tierney played Nurse Abigail `` Abby '' Lockhart on ER, a character that began as a guest appearance in November 1999 and then expanded in February 2000 to a full - time regular role as an ER nurse and later, after completion of medical school, a doctor. She was reunited with her former NewsRadio co-star Khandi Alexander, who at that time had a recurring role on ER. Within a year, Tierney 's work on ER earned her an Emmy Award nomination, recognition she credits to a `` juicy '' story arc featuring Sally Field as Lockhart 's mother Maggie Wyczenski, who suffers from bipolar disorder. Tierney confirmed in April 2008 that she would be leaving ER shortly after the beginning of the show 's fifteenth season. In October 2008, she made her final regular appearance on the series after nearly 10 seasons on the show. She returned to make a cameo appearance in one additional episode later in 2009 toward the end of the final season. Tierney 's highest - profile film while a member of the ER cast was the 2002 film Insomnia, directed by Christopher Nolan. That same year she also starred in Scotland, Pa., portraying a Lady Macbeth - like character written specifically for her by Billy Morrissette, her husband at the time. She was praised by critics for her performance. She also collaborated with NewsRadio writer Joe Furey for a special `` Working with Joe Furey '' featurette for Furey 's film Love and Support. In 2004, Tierney won the second - season tournament of Bravo 's Celebrity Poker Showdown against Lauren Graham, who had a guest role in the fourth season of NewsRadio. Tierney returned to the stage in May 2006 in an appearance opposite Eric McCormack in the Off Broadway premiere of Some Girl ( s ). She also appeared in the 2008 films Semi-Pro, Baby Mama, The Go - Getter and Finding Amanda. Tierney played the role of Laurel in the Off Broadway play Three Changes with Dylan McDermott from September 16 to October 4, 2008. Tierney returned to television, playing the recurring character Kelly McPhee on the FX series Rescue Me in 2009 and 2011 during its final season. She replaced Joely Richardson as the female lead of the 2010 ABC television series The Whole Truth after Richardson dropped out to spend more time with her family. Tierney 's role in the show, a legal drama produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, marked her return to television after recovering from breast surgery and cancer treatments. ABC canceled The Whole Truth after four episodes owing to low ratings. In February 2011, Tierney made her debut at the Gate Theatre in the Dublin premiere of Yasmina Reza 's God of Carnage ( translation by Christopher Hampton ) alongside Ardal O'Hanlon. In September 2012, Tierney began a recurring role on the CBS legal drama The Good Wife, playing Maddie Hayward. In 2013, Tierney joined the cast of Showtime 's The Affair, playing Helen Solloway. The Affair began airing in October 2014. Personal Life Tierney married actor and director Billy Morrissette on February 1, 1993, two days before her 28th birthday, after the two met on the set of a never - aired television series. After being married for 13 years, she filed for divorce in 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. They had no children. On February 1, 2009, the recently ordained Tierney officiated at the wedding of her friend and former ER co-star Parminder Nagra to photographer James Stenson. Tierney had surgery to remove a tumor from her breast in 2009. She had been cast in Parenthood but schedule conflicts with her cancer treatments led her to leave, and she was replaced by Lauren Graham. Tierney finished treatment and returned to work in a stage play in 2010. Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1991 Dead Women in Lingerie Molly Field 1991 The Linguini Incident Cecelia 1992 White Sands Noreen 1992 Fly by Night Denise The Temp Sharon Derns 1995 Mercy Simonet Primal Fear Naomi Chance Liar Liar Audrey Reede 1998 Primary Colors Daisy Green 1998 The Thin Pink Line Suzanne 1999 Forces of Nature Bridget Cahill 1999 Oxygen Det. Madeline Foster 1999 Instinct Lynn Powell 2000 Mexico City Pam on Phone ( voice ) 2001 Scotland, PA Pat McBeth 2002 Insomnia Rachel Clement 2002 Rooftop Kisses Denise 2002 The Nazi Helen 2003 Melvin Goes to Dinner Leslie Welcome to Mooseport Sally Mannis 2006 Danny Roane : First Time Director Maura Tierney 2006 Diggers Gina 2007 The Go - Getter Hal 's Pets 2008 Semi-Pro Lynn 2008 Baby Mama Caroline 2008 Finding Amanda Lorraine Mendon 2012 Nature Calls Janine 2017 Anything Laurette Sachman 2018 Beautiful Boy Karen In post-production Television Year Title Role Notes Student Exchange Kathy Maltby Television movie 1988 Crossing the Mob Michelle Television movie 1988 The Van Dyke Show Jillian Ryan 10 episodes Family Ties Darlene Episode : `` My Best Friend 's Girl '' 1990 Booker Donna Cofax Episode : `` Reunion '' 1990 Flying Blind Donna Television movie 1991 Law & Order Patricia ' Patti ' Blaine Episode : `` Aria '' 1994 Lifestories : Families in Crisis N / A Episode : `` A Body to Die For : The Aaron Henry Story '' 1994 704 Hauser Cherlyn Markowitz 5 episodes 1994 Out of Darkness Meg Television movie 1995 -- 1999 NewsRadio Lisa Miller 96 episodes 1999 -- 2009 ER Dr. Abby Lockhart 183 episodes 2000 King of the Hill Tanya ( voice ) Episode : `` Movin ' On Up '' 2009 -- 2011 Rescue Me Kelly McPhee 9 episodes 2010 -- 2011 The Whole Truth Kathryn Peale 13 episodes 2011 The Office Susan California Episode : `` Mrs. California '' 2012 -- 2013 The Good Wife Maddie Hayward 7 episodes 2012 Ruth & Erica Erica 10 episodes 2014 -- present The Affair Helen Solloway 27 episodes 2018 Philip K. Dick 's Electric Dreams Irene Lee Episode : `` Safe & Sound '' Awards and nominations Year Association Nominated work Result 2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Supporting Actress -- Comedy / Romance Forces of Nature Nominated 2001 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series ER Nominated Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated 2003 Prism Awards Best Performance in a Drama Series Nominated Satellite Awards Best Actress -- Television Series Drama Nominated 2007 Prism Awards Best Performance in a Drama Series Nominated 2008 Prism Awards Best Performance in a Drama Series Nominated 2016 Critics ' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Affair Nominated Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress -- Series, Miniseries or Television Film Won Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated 2017 Critics ' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress -- Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated References ^ Jump up to : Wieder, Tamara ( February 14, 2002 ). `` Prescription for success ''. The Phoenix.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2014. Jump up ^ `` The Return of Maura Tierney ''. Parade. September 12, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Joseph Tierney Obituary - Carroll - Thomas Funeral Home, Hyde Park, MA Serving Greater Boston and South Shore Massachusetts ''. Hydepark.thomasfuneralhomes.com. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 25. Jump up ^ Tierney, Maura ( September 9, 2008 ). `` Trying to quit smoking is the hardest thing I 've ever done ''. Glamour magazine. Retrieved September 11, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Dream Life ''. brntwd magazine. September 2001. Jump up ^ `` Interview with Erica Fox ''. Exclusive magazine. Retrieved September 11, 2014. Jump up ^ Maura Tierney, original air date November 14, 2006, interviewed on The Tavis Smiley Show Jump up ^... Tierney Becomes One of LaBute 's Some Girl ( s ) for US Debut Archived March 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine., Playbill ( March 2006 article ) Jump up ^ Cox, Gordon ( June 5, 2008 ). `` Playwrights Horizons signs stars ''. Variety. Jump up ^ Reiher, Andrea ( June 11, 2010 ). `` Maura Tierney to tell `` The Whole Truth : with Rob Morrow at ABC ''. Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Maura Tierney New Role : Legal Drama ' The Whole Truth ''. National Ledger. June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Gate Theatre, Dublin, Ireland ''. Gate-theatre.ie. Retrieved 2015 - 11 - 25. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( June 25, 2012 ). `` Maura Tierney joins ' The Good Wife ' ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 11, 2014. Jump up ^ `` The Return Of Maura Tierney ''. The Huffington Post. August 4, 2013. Jump up ^ Finn, Natalie ( July 27, 2006 ). `` Maura Tierney 's Marriage Flatlines ''. E !. Retrieved October 9, 2007. Jump up ^ OK ! Staff ( January 23, 2009 ). `` OK ! Exclusive : Parminder Nagra 's Wedding Album ''. OK ! Magazine. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Maura Tierney To Undergo Surgery For Breast Tumor ''. accesshollywood.com. July 13, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2014. Jump up ^ Abrams, Natalie. `` Gilmore Girls ' Lauren Graham Takes Starring Role in Parenthood '', TVGuide.com, October 9, 2009. Jump up ^ Armstrong, Jennifer ( January 27, 2010 ). `` Maura Tierney goes back to work after battling cancer ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 3, 2010. External links Maura Tierney on IMDb Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress -- Series, Miniseries or Television Film Gail Fisher ( 1970 ) Sue Ane Langdon ( 1971 ) Ruth Buzzi ( 1972 ) Ellen Corby ( 1973 ) Betty Garrett ( 1974 ) Hermione Baddeley ( 1975 ) Josette Banzet ( 1976 ) Polly Holliday ( 1978 ) Polly Holliday ( 1979 ) Valerie Bertinelli / Diane Ladd ( 1980 ) Valerie Bertinelli ( 1981 ) Shelley Long ( 1982 ) Barbara Stanwyck ( 1983 ) Faye Dunaway ( 1984 ) Sylvia Sidney ( 1985 ) Olivia de Havilland ( 1986 ) Claudette Colbert ( 1987 ) Katherine Helmond ( 1988 ) Amy Madigan ( 1989 ) Piper Laurie ( 1990 ) Amanda Donohoe ( 1991 ) Joan Plowright ( 1992 ) Julia Louis - Dreyfus ( 1993 ) Miranda Richardson ( 1994 ) Shirley Knight ( 1995 ) Kathy Bates ( 1996 ) Angelina Jolie ( 1997 ) Faye Dunaway / Camryn Manheim ( 1998 ) Nancy Marchand ( 1999 ) Vanessa Redgrave ( 2000 ) Rachel Griffiths ( 2001 ) Kim Cattrall ( 2002 ) Mary - Louise Parker ( 2003 ) Anjelica Huston ( 2004 ) Sandra Oh ( 2005 ) Emily Blunt ( 2006 ) Samantha Morton ( 2007 ) Laura Dern ( 2008 ) Chloë Sevigny ( 2009 ) Jane Lynch ( 2010 ) Jessica Lange ( 2011 ) Maggie Smith ( 2012 ) Jacqueline Bisset ( 2013 ) Joanne Froggatt ( 2014 ) Maura Tierney ( 2015 ) Olivia Colman ( 2016 ) Laura Dern ( 2017 ) VIAF : 51890861 LCCN : no00066676 ISNI : 0000 0000 6302 3294 GND : 129584851 SUDOC : 129585068 BNF : cb14044148s ( data ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maura_Tierney&oldid=824670011 '' Categories : 1965 births American film actresses American people of Irish descent American stage actresses American television actresses Breast cancer survivors Circle in the Square Theatre School alumni Living people Tisch School of the Arts alumni Actresses from Boston 20th - century American actresses 21st - century American actresses Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Use mdy dates from September 2012 Articles with hCards Articles needing pronunciation Articles needing IPA cleanup All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016 Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Asturianu تۆرکجه Deutsch Español Esperanto فارسی Français 한국어 Italiano עברית Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Suomi Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 8 February 2018, at 19 : 39. 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Question: who plays maddie hayward on the good wife
Answer: Tierney