Maura Tierney was born on February 3, 1965, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Pat Tierney, a real estate broker, and Joseph M. Tierney, a prominent Boston politician. She is of Irish descent and was raised in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. Tierney attended Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, Massachusetts, and later New York University, where she majored in drama and dance.
Tierney’s early acting career began with small roles in television and film. She appeared in several independent films and television shows before gaining wider recognition. Her breakthrough role came with the sitcom NewsRadio, where she played Lisa Miller from 1995 to 1999. This role established her as a comedic actress and brought her to a larger audience.
Following NewsRadio, Tierney secured the role of Dr. Abby Lockhart in the medical drama ER. She joined the cast in 1999 and remained a regular until 2009. Her portrayal of Dr. Lockhart earned her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including an Emmy Award nomination.
In recent years, Tierney has continued to work in television. She starred in the Showtime drama The Affair from 2014 to 2019, playing Helen Solloway. Her performance in The Affair earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2016.
She also had a leading role in the Showtime limited series Your Honor (2020-2023) alongside Bryan Cranston.
Tierney has also maintained a consistent presence in film. Some of her notable film credits include: