: Elizabeth McGovern is an American actress and musician known for her distinguished career in film, television, and stage. Born on July 18, 1961, in Evanston, Illinois, McGovern has earned acclaim for her performances in a variety of genres, from period dramas to contemporary films. McGovern gained early recognition in Hollywood with her breakout role in Ordinary People (1980), directed by Robert Redford, where she portrayed Jeannine Pratt. Her performance in this Academy Award-winning film helped launch her career. She received further critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime (1981), a historical drama about the...