Mare Winningham at a Glance
- Categories: Celebrities > Actors, Celebrities
- Net Worth: $2.5 Million
- Birthdate: May 16, 1959 (65 years old)
- Birthplace: Phoenix
- Gender: Female
- Profession: Actor, Singer-songwriter
- Nationality: United States of America
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Mare Winningham’s Net Worth: A Deep Dive into Her Career and Life
Introduction: The Versatile Talent of Mare Winningham
Mare Winningham is a celebrated American actress and singer-songwriter, known for her remarkable versatility and captivating performances across film, television, and stage. With a career spanning several decades, she has consistently delivered compelling portrayals, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated following. This article delves into Mare Winningham’s net worth, exploring her career highlights, early life, personal endeavors, and the factors that have contributed to her success.
What is Mare Winningham’s Net Worth?
Mare Winningham’s estimated net worth is $2.5 million. This figure reflects her earnings from a prolific career in acting, singing, and songwriting. Her income has been generated through various avenues, including film and television roles, stage performances, and music sales. Winningham’s sustained success in the entertainment industry has allowed her to amass this notable net worth.
Early Life and Education: Shaping a Future Star
Born to Marilyn Jean and Sam Neal Winningham, Mare was the third of five children. Her family moved to California, where she spent her formative years in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles. From a young age, Winningham displayed a passion for performing, actively participating in school plays and local theater productions. This early exposure to the performing arts laid the foundation for her future career.
Winningham’s educational journey included Chatsworth High School, where she honed her acting and singing skills under the guidance of drama teacher Robert Carrelli. Notably, she attended high school alongside fellow aspiring actors Kevin Spacey and Val Kilmer, who would also achieve significant success in Hollywood. After graduating, Winningham continued her studies at California State University, Northridge, focusing on theater and music, further developing her skills and knowledge in the performing arts.
Career Beginnings: From TV Guest Spots to Emmy Recognition
Mare Winningham’s professional acting career began in the late 1970s with guest appearances on popular television shows. These early roles provided her with valuable experience and exposure, paving the way for more significant opportunities. Her breakthrough role came in 1980 when she starred in the television movie “Off the Minnesota Strip.” Winningham’s portrayal of Marlene, a pregnant teenager, earned her an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, a significant achievement that established her as a rising talent in the industry. This early recognition helped solidify her position as an actress to watch.
Film Success: Academy Award Nomination and Memorable Roles
Throughout the 1980s, Mare Winningham continued to build her filmography, appearing in a variety of movies that showcased her acting versatility. Some of her notable film roles include “One Trick Pony” (1980), “Threshold” (1981), and “Missing” (1982). In 1985, she starred in the coming-of-age drama “St. Elmo’s Fire,” alongside Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, and Demi Moore, further solidifying her status as a rising star. This role helped her gain wider recognition and appeal to a broader audience.
In 1995, Winningham received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film “Georgia.” This recognition marked a significant milestone in her career, demonstrating her ability to deliver powerful and nuanced performances. The nomination highlighted her talent and further elevated her standing within the industry.

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Television Acclaim: Dominating the Small Screen
Winningham has consistently delivered powerful performances on television, earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades. She secured a second Emmy Award for her role in the 1998 television movie “The Boys Next Door,” a poignant drama focusing on the lives of developmentally disabled adults. Her portrayal demonstrated her ability to bring depth and sensitivity to her roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress. This win further solidified her status as a respected television actress.
Some of her other notable television appearances include guest roles and recurring characters in popular series such as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Affair.” In 2011, she joined the cast of the hit anthology series “American Horror Story,” appearing in multiple seasons and earning critical praise for her performances. These roles demonstrated her range and ability to embody diverse characters.
Stage Career: A Broadway and Theatre Presence
Mare Winningham has also enjoyed a successful stage career, showcasing her versatility as a performer. She made her Broadway debut in 2007 in the musical “110 in the Shade,” earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. This recognition highlighted her skills and her ability to captivate audiences on stage. Winningham has continued to work in theater, appearing in productions such as “Tribes” (2011) and “The End of Longing” (2017).
In 2019, she appeared in the Broadway production of “Girl from the North Country,” a musical featuring the songs of Bob Dylan, which earned her a second Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her stage performances have been lauded for their emotional depth and naturalism, further cementing her reputation as a versatile and accomplished actress in theater.
Singing and Songwriting: A Musical Side
In addition to her acting career, Mare Winningham is a talented singer-songwriter. She has released several albums, including “What Might Be” (1992), “Lonesomers” (1998), and “Refuge Rock Sublime” (2007). Her music often reflects her folk and country influences, combining introspective lyrics with her emotive and soulful vocals. This showcases her artistic depth.
Winningham has also contributed her singing talents to film and television projects, including her performance of the Oscar-nominated song “A Soft Place to Fall” in the film “The Horse Whisperer” (1998). This highlights her additional talents and enhances her artistic profile.
Personal Life: Relationships and Resilience
Mare Winningham has been married three times and is the mother of five children. In 2021, she married Anthony Edwards, her co-star from “ER.” Throughout her life, she has faced various personal challenges, including the loss of her home in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Despite these challenges, Winningham has remained dedicated to her craft, consistently contributing to the arts and demonstrating resilience.
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Conclusion: A Legacy of Talent and Versatility
Mare Winningham has carved a remarkable path in the entertainment industry, showcasing her talents across multiple platforms. Her estimated net worth of $2.5 million reflects her successful and enduring career. From her early Emmy-winning performance to her Academy Award nomination and Broadway appearances, Winningham has consistently delivered compelling performances, captivating audiences with her versatility and depth. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors and a testament to the power of dedication and artistic excellence.