Voted one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998, Julianna Margulies gained worldwide recognition for her portrayal of the psychologically complex Nurse Hathaway in the critically acclaimed television series "ER."
      The youngest of three daughters born to a dance teacher, and an ad exec, Julianna's early years were spent in England then later New York. Interestingly, she never intended to become an actress, but it was during her first year at Sarah Lawrence College, from which she earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts, that she decided to study theater simply as a means to explore her creative side. But her talent was apparent to all involved, and she was soon cast in numerous college productions. Julianna was hooked.
      Making the move towards a professional thespian career, Julianna did the waitressing thing while slowly paying her dues by appearing in regional plays, a few national commercials, including one for McDonald's Hot Wings, and some spots on various television shows.
      Although those years were lean, Julianna endured. Not being the leggy, out-there cover girl type Hollywood is quick to embrace, made it somewhat difficult for the five foot five, subdued beauty to fit into the roles available. She was more of a character actor, and unfortunately what generally happens to character actors is that they get lost in the background. What Julianna needed was a part which would give her more than passing exposure. Luckily, that part came when producer Tom Fontana specifically wrote a recurring role for her in his NBC series, "Homicide: Life On The Street". This helped to give her the exposure and attention she needed, and in 1994 she struck gold by winning the part of Nurse Hathaway on the hospital drama series "ER". The show was practically an over-night sensation, and with it came fame, fortune and some great roles in such films as "Paradise Road", opposite Glenn Close and Cate Blanchett, and with Matthew McConaughey in "The Newton Boys". Without a doubt, Julianna Margulies is here to stay.
      On her off time, Julianna enjoys in-line skating, running, reading and attending three or four movies a week. She lives in Santa Monica, California.
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Written by K. Kamarauskas © 2000 - [Please let us know of any errors]