Bio

Christine Lahti was born April 4th 1950 in Birmingham, Michigan. Her father was a surgeon and her mother a housewife. Her grandparents were Finnish immigrants. (Lahti means "bay" in Finnish).

A drama major at the University of Michigan, Lahti worked extensively on stage before making a stunning film debut as an attorney in "And Justice for All" (1979), more than holding her own opposite Al Pacino. Lahti was equally impressive as a doctor in "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" (1981), but somehow failed to click with audiences.

After showstealing best-pal roles in "Swing Shift" (1984, an Oscar-nominated performance) and "Just Between Friends" (1986), she graduated to offbeat leads in a pair of 1987 art films, "Stacking" and "Housekeeping" followed by a magnificent performance as the wife-and-mother-in-hiding in "Running on Empty" (1988).

Her considerable range, as well as her apparent affinity for colorful characters, hasn't limited Lahti to conventional leading-lady partsbut that one role, that one great script, continues to elude her.

A long dry spell has included "Gross Anatomy" (1989), "Funny About Love" (1990), and "The Doctor" (1991).

In the wake of 1991's popular "Thelma & Louise" Lahti costarred in the female road movie "Leaving Normal" (1992).

Married to director Thomas Schlamme, for whom she did a gag cameo in "Miss Firecracker" (1989), and who directed her in the well-received madefor-TV movie "Crazy From the Heart" (1991). They have two called Wilson and Joseph and one daughter Emma.

Christine was in the bathroom when she won her Golden Globe in 1998. Christine now makes light of this whenever presenting or receiving an award. In 1999, she purposely presented for the Golden Globes with a piece of toilet paper attached to her shoe.

Milestones in her career

Worked as a singing waitress one summer during college; travelled to Scotland as a member of the Ann Arbor Mime Troupe, then went to London, appearing in a mime production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest".

1973 Moved to New York City; supported herself as a waitress by day and performed off-off Broadway by night; even worked as a mime for a while in Central Park, battling an imaginary wind as her roommate honked inexpertly on a clarinet.

Appeared in commercials first for rug shampoo Spray 'n Vac, then for eight other products including Sominex and Joy dishwashing liquid.

1977 First Off-Broadway appearance as the female lead opposite Chris Sarandon in David Mamet's "The Woods" at the New York Shakespeare Festival's Public Theater.

1978 TV debut as Tania Reston in live-action, comic book adventure (movie-series pilot) "Dr Scorpion". Had regular role as Harvey Korman's daughter in short-lived ABC sitcom "The Harvey Korman Show".

1979 Feature film acting debut in "... And Justice For All". Succeeded Roxane Hart opposite Kevin Kline in Michael Weller's Off-Broadway play, "Loose Ends".

1980 Made Broadway debut in Steve Tesich's "Division Street".

1981 Turned in excellent portrayal of a doctor in John Badham's feature "Whose Life Is It Anyway?".

1982 Played Brenda Nicol in NBC miniseries "The Executioner's Song", based on the Norman Mailer book.

1984 Breakthrough film role in "Swing Shift" earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.

1987 Her Emmy nomination (Best Supporting Actress) was perhaps the lone high point of the ABC miniseries "Amerika", a ponderous 14-hour epic which incurred the wrath of the UN and USSR before airing. And delivered a wonderful performance as the free-spirited aunt in the underrated Housekeeping".

1988 Starred with River Phoenix and Judd Hirsch in Sidney Lumet's "Running on Empty".

1989-1990 Appeared on Broadway (replacing Joan Allen) in Wendy Wasserstein's "The Heidi Chronicles".

1991 Won a CableACE Award for Best Actress for her performance in the TNT movie "Crazy from the Heart", directed by husband Thomas Schlamme.

1991 Acted opposite William Hurt in "The Doctor".

1992 Starred in the female buddy flick "Leaving Normal". Also starred with Ron Rifkin in the Off-Broadway production of Jon Robin Baitz's "Three Hotels".

1995 Replaced Mandy Patinkin as a star of CBS drama "Chicago Hope", playing ambitious cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr Kathryn Austin. She left the series in spring of 1999.

Also made her directorial debut, "Lieberman in Love", earned her an Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film and starred opposite Danny Aiello. The film aired on Showtime cable network.

1997 Starred in TNT movie "Hope", directed by "Swing Shift" co-star Goldie Hawn.

1999 Signed to make feature directorial debut with "My First Mister".

2000 Had leading role of a US Senator's daughter nominated to be Surgeon General in the Lifetime adaptation of "An American Daughter" based on Wendy Wasserstein's play.

2001 Feature directorial debut, "My First Mister", screened at Sundance.

2002 Played alongside Joe Mantegna, Glenne Headly and Paul Reiser in "Women vs. Men".

Played the lead in the succesful TV movie "The Pilot's Wife".

2003 Cast in lead role of a female Jewish doctor who survived the Holocaust in the Showtime biopic "Out of the Ashes".

Also played the lead in the CBS movie "Open House" based on Elizabeth Berg's book.

2004 Cast in lead role in the movie for TV called "The Book of Ruth" based on Jane Hamilton's novel.

Cast in the CBS movie "The Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman" based on a best-selling book by British novelist Elizabeth Buchan.

Stars in the new WB drama "Jack & Bobby" as Grace McCallister, mother of two boys of whom one will become president 40 years later. Christine has so far earned a Golden Globe and SAG nomination for her part.

Awards and nominations

Emmys:

1987: Outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or a special: nomination for "Amerika".

1990: Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or a special: nomination for "No place like home".

1996: Outstanding lead actress for a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

1997: Outstanding lead actress for a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

1998: Outstanding lead actress for a drama series: won for "Chicago Hope".

1999: Outstanding lead actress for a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

Oscars:

1984: Actress in a supporting role: nomination for "Swing Shift".

1995: Best live action short: won for "Lieberman in Love".

Golden Globes:

1984: Actress in a supporting role: nomination for "Swing Shift".

1987: Actress in a supporting role - Series, miniseries or TV-movie: nomination for "Amerika".

1988: Actress in a leading role - Drama: nomination for "Running on Empty".

1989: Actress in a leading role - Miniseries or TV-movie: won for "No place like home".

1996: Actress in a leading role - Drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

1997: Actress in a leading role - Drama series: won for "Chicago Hope".

2000: Actress in a leading role - Miniseries or TV-movie: nomination for "American Daughter".

2004: Actress in a leading role - Drama Series: nomination for "Jack & Bobby".

New York Film Critics Circle :

1984: Best supporting actress: won for "Swing Shift".

1986: Best actress: nomination for "Housekeeping".

1987: Best actress: won for "Running on Empty".

L.A. Film Critics Association:

1987: Best actress: won for "Running on Empty".

Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards):

1996: For outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

1996: For outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series: nomination for the "Chicago Hope" cast.

1997: For outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

1997: For outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series: nomination for the "Chicago Hope" cast.

1998: For outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

1998: For outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series: nomination for the "Chicago Hope" cast.

1999: For outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series: nomination for "Chicago Hope".

2005: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nomination for "Jack & Bobby".

Filmography

Movies (TV and Cinema)

2005: "Wallflowering" as Peg Small: movie has not yet been released

2004: "Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman" (TV) as Rose

2004-?: "Jack & Bobby" (TV Series) as Grace McCallister: wonderful and intelligent tv series on the WB. Christine earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2005 for this role!

2004: "The Book of Ruth" (TV) as Maylene

2003: "Out of the Ashes" (TV) as Gisella Perl

2003: "Open House" (TV) as Samantha Morrow

2002: "Women vs. Men" (TV) as Dana

2002: "The Pilot's Wife" (TV) as Kathryn Lyons

2001: "My First Mister" as Mall patron walking past J with daughter, Christine also directed the movie.

2000: "An American Daughter" (TV) as Lyssa Dent Hughes aka Trial by Media

1999: "Judgment Day: The Ellie Nesler Story" as Ellie Nesler

1997: "Hope" (TV) as Emma Percy: Movie was directed by friend Goldie Hawn.

1997: "SUBWAYStories: Tales from the Underground" (TV) as Red Shoes Woman (segment "The Red Shoes")

1996: "A Weekend in the Country" (TV) as Ruth Oakley

1996: "Pie in the Sky" as Ruby

1995-1999: "Chicago Hope" (TV Series) as Dr. Kate Austin

1995: "Lieberman In Love" as Shaleen: Christine also directed this short movie.

1995: "The Four Diamonds" (TV) as Dr. Burke/Sorceress Reptannehan

1995: "Hideaway" as Lindsey Harrison

1992: "The Good Fight" (TV) as Grace

1992: "The Fear Inside" (TV) as Meredith Cole

1992: "Leaving Normal" as Darly

1991: "Crazy from the Heart" (TV) as Charlotte Bain

1991: "The Doctor" as Anne MacKee

1990: "Three Hotels" (TV)

1990: "Funny About Love" as Meg Bergman

1989: "No Place Like Home" (TV)

1989: "Gross Anatomy" as Dr. Rachel Woodruff aka A Cut Above

1989: "Miss Firecracker" as Clara Archer

1988: "Running on Empty" as Annie Pope/Cynthia Manfield

1987: "Stacking" as Kathleen Morgan aka Season of Dreams

1987: "Housekeeping" as Sylvie

1987: "Amerika" (mini TV Series) as Althea Milford

1986: "Just Between Friends" as Sandy Dunlap

1986: "Desert Bloom" (voice) (uncredited) as Rose Chismore (adult)

1985: "Love Lives On" (TV) as Marilyn

1984: "Single Bars, Single Women" (TV) as Elsie

1984: "Swing Shift" as Hazel

1982: "The Executioner's Song" (TV) as Brenda Nicol

1981: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains" as Aunt Linda aka All Washed Up

1981: "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" as Dr. Clare Scott

1980: "The Henderson Monster" (TV) as Dr. Louise Casimir

1979: "And Justice for All" as Gail Packer

1978: "The Harvey Korman Show" (TV Series)

1978: "The Last Tenant" (TV) as Carol

1978: "Dr. Scorpion" (TV) as Tania Reston

Director - filmography

2001: My First Mister

1995: Lieberman In Love

1994: Chicago Hope (TV Series)

Herself - filmography

2001: "The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards" (TV) as Herself - Presenter

2000: "The 54th Annual Tony Awards" (TV) as Herself

1999: "Intimate Portrait: Laura Dern" (TV) as Herself

1998: "The 52nd Annual Tony Awards" (TV) as Herself

1998: "Intimate Portrait: Christine Lahti" (TV) as Herself

1996: "Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary" (TV) as Herself

1996: "The 68th Annual Academy Awards" (TV) as Herself - Winner: Best Short Film, Live Action for "Lieberman in Love"

Archive Footage

2004: "101 Biggest Celebrity Oops" (TV) as Herself

Notable TV Guest Appearances

2004: "The Tony Danza Show" playing Herself (episode # 1.33) 27 October 2004

2004: "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" playing Herself 20 October 2004

2003: "Mad TV" playing Herself (episode # 9.7) 15 November 2003

2003: "The Caroline Rhea Show" playing Herself 6 June 2003

2001: "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" playing Herself 17 October 2001

2001: "Ally McBeal" playing "Sydney Gale" in episode: "Queen Bee" (episode # 4.21) 7 May 2001

2000: "Dennis Miller Live" playing Herself in episode: "A Female President" (episode # 7.18) 2 June 2000

1998: "Ellen" playing Herself in episode: "Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute: Part 1" (episode # 5.19) 13 May 1998

1998: "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing Herself 2 March 1998

1997: "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing Herself 22 April 1997

1996: "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing Herself 25 June 1996

1994: "Frasier" playing "Laura" (voice) in episode: "Author, Author" (episode # 1.22) 5 May 1994