Gillian Leigh Anderson, born August 9, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, spent portions of her childhood in Puerto Rico and London before returning to the United States. She attended The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1990.
Anderson’s career began on stage, including a role in Alan Ayckbourn’s “Absent Friends” at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Early television roles included an appearance in the film “Home Fires Burning” (1989) and an episode of “Class of ’96” (1993).
Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the science fiction television series “The X-Files” (1993-2002, 2016-2018). Her portrayal earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1997, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 1997, and multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Following “The X-Files,” Anderson continued to work extensively in television. Notable roles include:
Anderson has also appeared in numerous films.