Marcia Gay Harden on a life lived off-screen

Since breaking out in the Coen Brothers' "Miller's Crossing," Marcia Gay Harden has won an Oscar (for "Pollock") and a Tony Award, and says she's appeared in more movies than she can count. But the self-described workaholic is much more comfortable being known as an actress than a celebrity. She talks with correspondent Seth Doane about her TV series, "So Help Me Todd," her interest in pottery, and how her three kids inspired her LGBTQ+ activism.
#sohelpmetodd
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[@djdollase]

I had the privilege of working with this great actor. She was giving, sweet, unpretentious and a great “partner in crime” on set. Will always cherish that brief time. You go, Marcia!!

[@LoriKasprzak-kc7xc]

I loved her best in "Spitfire Grill." 💐🌹💐🌹💐

[@nata3467]

What an amazing mother! Love is Love!!

[@deirdrechilds2288]

She seems like a wonderful woman. I absolutely love So Help me Todd; I hope it stays on air forever 😊😂

[@cynthiacopland8634]

💯! Love her new show

[@elenaferrucci3882]

She is my favorite actress ! I love this and she is soo talented and sweet !!!❤

[@annehere8604]

Fantastic actress! So glad Sunday Morning did a piece on her. Mystic River, Casa de los Babys, Miller's Crossing, The Spitfire Grill, Used People and on and on. Marcia, at the end of Mystic River, when she is calling to her son who is on a float in a parade, is the saddest, most touching moment. Dear god she wrenches your heart in that film. Going on too long, just want to say that if Marcia is in it, I'm watching it.

[@cynthiacopland8634]

“So Help Me Todd” is one ☝🏽 of the best new shows on television 📺! Keep it up ⬆️

[@rufusbayne2230]

She describes gardening and pottery beautifully. I believe we all need something that isolates us for a time and allows us to re-center ourselves. She's a smart woman and a great mother.

[@wlms5293]

I’m not surprised by her creative ways, on screen or off screen, a true artist always finds her way. Now thru gardening & pottery we can not only ‘re-center ourselves, but continue ‘re-inventing’ ourselves into some “brand new” uniquely ours, familiar sort of way. She’s a good inspiration to ‘proceed on in finding things that lay AHEAD.

[@lfa3963]

I've been a fan of Marcia's for years. She's an extraordinary talent. How lovely to see this personal, witty, charming side of her. Nicely done.

[@DanCrowleyNYC]

This was a beautiful interview! What a fantastic mother she is too. I will never forget the first time I saw her on film was in the 1996 indie dramedy The Daytrippers (with legends like Parker Posey, Anne Meara, Liev Schreiber and many more). Her one scene made me fall in love with her acting, and she has continued to radiate wonderful energy.

[@19Bmiller]

Her skill as an actor in unquestioned. It's voice as a parent that inspires me.

[@AnisDumont]

Love her. She's amazing. What a wonderful mom, too.

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

She came into my awareness with Millers Crossing! Long long time ago. Where did all those years go? Way talented actor.

[@anne8511]

I love Marcia Gay Harden! She is perfection.

[@annamarielewis7078]

One of my favorite actresses. Just binged all of Code Black. Love her.

[@Syren90...Aka9]

"They guide me AND my love of them guides me....otherwise what's the alternative?" Periodt.

[@robertlouisburns]

The parents are to guide the children. They have the experience and maturity. Too many outside influences on young impressionable minds. If a parent raises them from a young age to respect their knowledge, they would come to them with questions and not to others. Parents are not friends, they are loving teachers.

[@TheOzMan91]

Charismatic, hard working, humorous, intelligent, kindhearted, sexy. She has it all. An icon in the truest sense of the word.

[@thegreatcatsby409]

She’s so amazing and personable!! I’d love to have dinner with her ❤️

[@meredithjosephblaine6015]

I love So Help Me Todd - it's how I really first discovered Marcia Gay Harden. Then I watched her in her other roles, and she is simply a fantastic actress who easily slips into her various roles! And she seems like a wonderful, caring, loving and fun person!!

[@judyvetrone31]

I can't believe cbs cancelled the show.. It's great! Come on people

[@gabethedinosaur95]

She’s one of the best actresses ever . She deserves all the credit for doing amazing films and being a great woman

[@helend6774]

Always loved her as an actress. Now even more. My husband is a potter and his studio is the basement. Come by and throw down with him anytime, Marcia...

[@jcwolfe1751]

I love her and I love it that she’s open about her kids gender identity. What a great actress and a great mom.

[@romstar]

She really is a gift 🎁 to her children -☺️ and to us !❤🎉 Coming from Marcia's generation,they don't know how fortunate they are to have such an accepting mom as her ❤😢

[@wlms5293]

CBS “Sunday Morning” a long time favorite, once again has exceeded my expectations! Your coverage of Marcia Gay Hardin & Fran Drescher both confirm the certainty that “Not all my heroes have turned out to be cowboys”. So Y’all keep up the good work, you hear!!!

[@ramiyazje]

Such an amazing actress and a wonderful mom ❤

[@nicholebeck8177]

It feels like she's always been in Hollywood. In the last year I watched her in a movie with Aidan Quinn and now I enjoy "So Help Me Todd". She's great!

[@dennismorris7573]

An absolutely brilliant actress and person.

[@ThePeterbuilt126]

BRAVA Marcha! you've come a long way from the 4th fl. walk up on Morton st...!!!! I will always love you for what you did for me and my partner David in that time. Bless you and your beautiful Children! Peter

[@rosejustice]

I love this woman! Thank you for such a great profile of such a talented lady. ❤️

[@naldo-zm4uu]

I never miss an episode of so help me todd

[@MichelleLacy-o7h]

I also love the show

[@AM-jm5ux]

What an amazing woman and mother my goodness how beautiful the world would be if we followed this way of life ❤

[@michaelmonthey5974]

I love her performance in “Mystic River”.

[@trinasthings]

I love watching her on TV & in movies.

[@berglettemom6045]

I adore her. Thanks for this profile!

[@RightAsAlways5759]

She was always so much fun everytime she was on Law and Order SVU

[@christianfranz2686]

I always loved her as Dana on Svu and how she was always trying to injure Stabler accidentally

[@ogdvb]

You know it may not be the most popular answer when people ask what’s you favorite Marcia Gay Harden role (especially considering the list of great movies directed by great directors in which this great talent appeared🙌🏼) mine would be Nancy in Mona Lisa’s Smile. She was pure diamond in this…pretty ordinary movie. I love this character with her all her neurotic charm, her vulnerability, her loneliness and longing and her huge heart. Marcia gave her so many layers, and she made this character so nuanced. It’s pure joy♥️👏🏼 And also…First Wives Club, anyone? Scene-stealer☝🏼🤭👏🏼

[@Tallwater67]

Big big fan of hers. She makes everything she is in better . A good soul as well . Thoughtful and open minded

[@judibarth7999]

She is amazing and great actress 🎉❤

[@Mia7189]

Huge fan of her work. Totally love her.

[@renaj9206]

She's my favorite actress whose name I don't remember naturally, but when I see her I want more

[@danielleanner2887]

Yes - we are here to parent the children we have. If we don’t, we won’t have them.

[@danastonerock]

Incredible actress!

[@dr.aniasara7038]

Marsha, you are one of my very favorite actors. Love the film, "If I were you." It ended up being quite a hoot. I recommended it to others. Sometimes I don't know its you until the second act, love how you disappear into the characters.

[@TerryJ950]

I was going to recommend this movie to her fans who haven’t seen it. Her acting in it brought me to tears a few times. Great little-known gem of a film.

[@thehouse2015]

I’m glad I stoped to watch this. Love her even more now.

[@thatssomething1]

Man, wish I had a parent who took me to Italy to do art stuff, oh well 😆

[@joysharma5705]

She is a wonderful woman love her movies, Even a greater mom ❤❤❤❤❤

[@stiras1]

Love her! And now that I have learned she’s a mom supporting the LGBT-community, I love her more! It’s so important to have people like her supporting queer youth.

[@zeldasmith6154]

She's fascinating. Good for her being authentic.

[@judyfeldman1315]

Outstanding example of a successful woman and Mother.

[@edithlazenby5839]

They have one great mother there... lucky kids..

[@cadicorniche]

She’s magnificent! So beautiful. So grounded.

[@toddatkin5288]

What a wonderful example. What a great life. One of the best actors of a generation.

[@CKLee-rs4kl]

Thanks for interviewing someone who deserves all the accolades she receives.

[@packardwallsh]

She was outstanding as Ava Gardner in the Sinatra miniseries!

[@MichelleLacy-o7h]

I love her so much🥰🙌 Love her energy such a great actress.

[@debrawashington5222]

Classy, caring and kind!!

[@kirac.7368]

Her character in Basic Instinct is iconic

[@laurabowers2319]

Love her. After seeing this love her more!

[@ChatNowAmerica]

Calling her a groomer is disgusting….

[@rufusbayne2230]

It's surreal but I know someone who's son committed suicide because his parents refused to accept he was gay. The father makes deliveries to my store twice each week. From the moment he walks in until he leaves I'm thinking "You killed your son" and I wonder "do you feel any remorse or guilt?" Is it possible they alleviate their guilt by placing the blame on satan and an evil world? I'll always wonder. All I know is it makes me sad.

[@waw63nyc]

Don't you just hate when the networks just pull a series off-air without any notice, i.e., CODE BLACK. Love you, MGH!

[@suzanne4504]

I love anything she does.

[@robertlouisburns]

The parents are to guide the children. They have the experience and maturity. Too many outside influences on young impressionable minds. If a parent raises them from a young age to respect their knowledge, they would come to them with questions and not to others. Parents are not friends, they are loving teachers.

[@tobechukwuokonkwo5957]

All I have to say, is.........THE MIST! Wow, she deserved another Oscar for this role, even though she played the villain - she was incredible, ladies and gentlemen

[@christinetucci9227]

I'm so grateful for MGH's voice for the LGBTQ community!

[@lisakeeney2817]

Awww I love her for her acting talents and what a great, kind, loving mom she is! ❤👏👏👏👏👏

[@bcb7443]

A wonderful woman!!

[@angelamurphy9472]

More parents should be so wise!

[@travisgrant5608]

I have always liked Marcia in everything I have ever seen her in. Now, after this interview I like her even more if that's even possible. How fortunate her 3 children are to have her as their mother. 👍🤗💞

[@lydiaboyce3918]

This is a great actress. I enjoy her work so much .

[@bucketree]

Love her one of my all time favs ❤❤❤❤great parenting too 😊

[@jkbjkb8899]

I love "so help me Todd" such a nice family show,

[@Gary-xs6ex]

Love her❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@clamourincessant6974]

Such a terrific actor. She was excellent in The Mist and a blast in Confess, Fletch. (And I'm 20 years younger than her and would absolutely date her if possible.)

[@christinahagar4816]

Loved her on Meet Joe Black.

[@cyrilscholz1972]

Love her meet Annalena Baerbock

[@kayeherrera3821]

Great enterview ❤ i really enjoyed it so real thank you 😊❤🦋🍀☘️

[@anonamouse.p4115]

MARCIA GAY HARDEN stole hearts in her Film roles, and I adored her in CODE BLACK the emergency room drama. Yet that was Twenty-One roles ago in 2018; what a woman and what a Mum. Brava x!

[@shawntrader4839]

c'mon man ALL Three?

[@--ag]

All three..

[@leeinvegas]

Her tv show on CBS is great . Glad it’s back .

[@lipscombbrooke]

So help me Todd is a fun show to watch. The wardrobe! Keep filming! I want to watch more🎉

[@wlms5293]

And not to be out done, i forgot to mention Josh’s Mom.

[@davidbreen4830]

5:40 Yikes!

[@robertlouisburns]

Waiter, waitress. Butler, maid. Actor, ACTRESS.

[@dobazajr]

They forgot to mention her role in The Mist. She was so good in that film.

[@diane8937]

They DID. Please read!

[@VictorRook]

Surprised they didn't mention her role in The Mist. She was incredible in that.

[@michaellarsen2187]

Scary good yeah

[@stevehilderbrand6058]

Has anyone ever considered doing a biopic of Kitty Carlisle Hart starring MGH?

[@juliebransfield529]

She was great in spitfire grill

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

About how movie stars become such a huge inspiration of life, give us Code Black back, really emotional, for how many medical dramas we have to get used too, Code Black is not too creepy, not too medical in order to feel like getting all diseases of patients on screen . ..no, just fair enough realistic cases of casual situations, saving lives is still the most exciting show possible. When private stories inside a hospital become more important than patients to be saved it's not very nice either, some producers are really great, some movie set teams are just perfect, some TV shows are to be saved ..like patients in Code Black❤🎉❤

[@shannonbowman5990]

❤😊

[@bbygrlpt2]

Man poor lady lol

[@dorinda4ever]

❤Fabulous

[@TheGirlwithTheGlasses]

Amazing…thank you!

[@okay5045]

Oh please give it a break already.

[@lizgorley]

Amazing woman!

[@mariaroldan4200]

Sorry, I like her, love that she travels with her kids, I like the show, but all that other stuff is bs.

[@claudetteholloway1126]

Great actor...

[@jimmyjames6267]

"She Had Man Hands"

[@abuela66]

An amazing actor!

[@Orfeo68]

Can’t believe people would call a loving mother a “groomer” that’s insane