Mary McDonnell joined Kevin Costner and Graham Greene on-screen in the iconic 1990 Western epic Dances with Wolves. The actress starred opposite Costner who plays a lieutenant who questions his assignment when he gets to know a neighbouring Sioux settlement.
Find out what Mary's been up to, her 37-year marriage and the acting legacy her daughter is carrying on today.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesMary McDonnell has been nominated twice for an Academy Award
Who is Mary McDonnell?
Actress Mary McDonnell is best known for her roles in '90s classics like Dances with Wolves, hit series High Society and 1996's Independence Day.
Born on 28 April 1952, the two-time Oscar nominee continued to find success into the 2000s with projects like Donnie Darko (2001), Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) and ER.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesRandle Mell is also an actor and worked with Mary on 'Grand Canyon' (1991)
Marriage to Randle Mell
Randle Mell co-starred with his wife Mary in Grand Canyon (1991), but he actually met his future bride years prior during a 1978 play reading, where he has said he "fell head over heels" instantly.
They started out as fast friends and tied the knot in 1984. Randle is best recognised for projects like 1997's The Postman and Wyatt Earp in 1994.
© Getty ImagesOlivia works as an actress and singer
Olivia Mell
Mary and Randle's only daughter Olivia works as an actress and singer. She has appeared on-screen in short films like The Orchard (2009) and Brokers (2009).
Olivia also worked on an episode of Major Crimes, which her mother has starred in, as a wedding singer. She has several music videos uploaded to her YouTube channel and last shared single 'Strange' eight years ago.
© Getty ImagesMichael is the youngest child of Mary and then-husband Randle
Michael Mell
Their younger child, son Michael, was born in 1995. According to his Facebook page, Michael currently works as a musician.
He most recently posted photos from what appears to be a video shoot with the caption: "Gotcha suckas!”
© Getty ImagesMary McDonnell is still busy at work on-screen
Where is she now?
Mary and Randle decided to go separate ways and divorced in 2021 after 37 years of marriage at Los Angeles Superior Court. The pair listed their Pacific Palisades home for $3.4 million the previous February.
McDonnell is still acting, recently appearing in festive TV series The Twelve Dates of Christmas (2025) and upcoming Marvel mini-series VisionQuest which stars Paul Bettany and James Spader.
