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| Carrie Preston | |
|---|---|
| Name | Carrie Preston |
| Birth date | 21 June 1967 |
| Birth place | Macomb, Illinois |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, director |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse | Michael Emerson |
| Alma mater | Transylvania University, Brandeis University |
Carrie Preston (born June 21, 1967) is an American actress, producer, and director known for her versatile work across television, film, and theatre. She gained prominence for her character work in both comedic and dramatic roles, collaborating with prominent creators and companies in the entertainment industry. Preston has earned critical acclaim and industry recognition for performances that span mainstream series and independent productions.
Preston was born in Macomb, Illinois and raised in a family connected to midwestern communities. She attended Macomb High School before matriculating at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, where she studied theater and liberal arts. She later pursued graduate studies at Brandeis University, earning a Master of Fine Arts and refining skills that would inform her stage and screen career. During this period she worked with regional theatre companies and engaged with academic programs that included collaborations with theatre practitioners and conservatories.
Preston's career began on the stage, performing in regional and off-Broadway productions associated with institutions such as The Guthrie Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and other American theatre ensembles. Transitioning to screen, she took supporting roles in films distributed by studios including Miramax and appeared in projects featuring directors from the independent film community. On television, she established ongoing working relationships with showrunners and producers at networks and platforms like HBO, CBS, AMC (TV network), and streaming services. She co-founded a production company that developed independent projects, partnering with peers from theatrical and film circles to produce, direct, and act in auteur-driven work.
Preston achieved widespread recognition for a recurring role on the crime drama series The Good Wife produced by CBS Television Studios, where she portrayed a memorable supporting character over multiple seasons. She earned further prominence for her portrayal of a key supporting figure on the serialized drama The Good Fight, an associated legal and political spin-off. On cable television, Preston delivered a critically lauded performance as a complex character in the anthology crime series True Blood, produced by HBO. She also appeared in the cult-favorite mystery-thriller series Person of Interest, developed by Jonathan Nolan and J. J. Abrams for CBS; her recurring role on that series included collaboration with co-stars from Lost (TV series) alumni and character actors across episodic television.
In film, Preston has performed in independent features and studio-backed movies, sharing screen credits with actors who emerged from stage and indie circuits. Her stage work includes leading roles in contemporary plays staged at regional houses and national festivals, often under the direction of notable theatre directors associated with Lincoln Center and university-affiliated programs. Preston has also directed short-form projects and produced films that premiered at film festivals organized by institutions such as the Sundance Film Festival and regional arthouse circuits.
Preston's television work has been recognized with nominations and awards from industry organizations. She received acclaim from critics' circles and was honored with awards presented by television academies and guilds relating to ensemble and guest acting categories. Her peers in theatre have acknowledged her stage work with citations from regional award bodies and festival juries. Prestigious festivals and media outlets have profiled her career, and she has been a guest at panels organized by institutions including PaleyFest and film festivals that spotlight television and independent cinema.
Preston is married to actor Michael Emerson, with whom she has collaborated on stage and screen projects. The couple met while working in regional theatre and have shared credits in series and theatrical productions. They maintain residences that allow proximity to major production centers including New York City and Los Angeles. Preston keeps aspects of her private life discreet while participating in public industry events such as award ceremonies and panels hosted by organizations like the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
Preston has supported charitable initiatives tied to arts education and visibility for performing artists, working with nonprofit organizations and arts institutions that promote access to theater programs in schools and communities. She has participated in benefit performances and fundraising events for organizations such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and regional arts councils. Additionally, Preston has aligned with advocacy groups focused on mental health and arts funding, appearing at benefit screenings and panel discussions organized by cultural organizations and universities.
Category:1967 births Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American stage actresses Category:People from Macomb, Illinois