**Frances McDormand** (born in 1957) is an American actress renowned for her intense screen presence and her ability to embody complex and authentic characters. The wife of director Joel Coen, she is a central figure in the Coen brothers' films, celebrated for her role as the astute police chief Marge Gunderson in *Fargo* (earning her an Oscar in 1996).

She has since won two additional Best Actress Oscars: for her portrayal of the determined Mildred Hayes in *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* (2017) and the poignant Fern in *Nomadland* (2020), a film she also produced. Her acting style is characterized by her portrayal of strong, resilient, and often anti-glamour women who face life with candor and realism. Other significant works include *Mississippi Burning* and *Almost Famous*.