Elizabeth McGovern was born on July 18, 1961, in Evanston, Illinois, to William Montgomery McGovern Jr., a university professor, and Katharine Wolcott (née Watts), a schoolteacher. She was raised in Los Angeles, California. McGovern attended North Hollywood High School and later studied at the Juilliard School in New York City before pursuing acting full-time.
McGovern began her acting career in the late 1970s. Her breakthrough role came in 1981 with her performance as Evelyn Nesbit in Milos Forman’s film Ragtime, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Following Ragtime, McGovern appeared in a variety of films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Some of her notable film credits include:
She continued to work in film in the 21st century, with roles in movies such as: