Lea Thompson in Rochester, Minnesota, is an acclaimed American actress, singer, dancer, and director.
She gained fame for her role as Lorraine Baines-McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy and starred in films like Howard the Duck and Some Kind of Wonderful.
In addition to her film career, she starred in the sitcom Caroline in the City and co-starred in Switched at Birth from 2011 to 2017.
Thompson has also directed episodes of popular series like Star Trek: Picard and Resident Alien.
Siblings
Lea has four siblings, two sisters and two brothers.
Coleen Goodrich is one of her older sisters.
Although she is not as publicly known as Lea, Coleen has been supportive of her sister’s career and maintains a close relationship with the family.
Shannon Katona, another older sister, has also stayed out of the spotlight but shares a strong bond with Lea and their family.
Among Lea’s brothers are Andrew and Barry Thompson.
Both brothers have kept relatively low profiles compared to Lea’s Hollywood career and have focused on their personal lives rather than pursuing paths in entertainment.
Career
Thompson began her journey in the performing arts as a ballet dancer.
She trained at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet before transitioning to acting.
Her first significant role came in 1983 when she appeared in Jaws 3-D, marking her entry into the film industry.
Although the film was not critically acclaimed, it provided her with valuable experience and exposure.
Thompson’s breakthrough came with her role as Lorraine Baines McFly in Back to the Future (1985), directed by Robert Zemeckis.
The film became a cultural phenomenon and is often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
Her portrayal of Lorraine, the mother of Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox), earned her widespread recognition.
She reprised this role in the sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990), further cementing her status in Hollywood.
In addition to the Back to the Future trilogy, Thompson starred in several notable films during the 1980s.
She played the lead role in Howard the Duck (1986), a film that has since gained a cult following despite its initial mixed reviews.
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In Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), she portrayed Amanda Jones, a popular girl caught in a love triangle, showcasing her range as an actress.
In the 1990s, Thompson transitioned to television with great success.
She starred in the sitcom Caroline in the City from 1995 to 1999, where she played Caroline Duffy, a cartoonist navigating life and love in New York City.
The show was well-received and earned Thompson a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New Television Series.
After Caroline in the City, Thompson continued to work in television, appearing in various series and made-for-TV movies.
Notably, she had a recurring role on Switched at Birth (2011-2017), where she played Kathryn Kennish, a mother navigating complex family dynamics after discovering that her daughter was switched at birth.
In addition to her acting career, Thompson has ventured into directing.
She has directed episodes of several television series, including Switched at Birth, The Year of Spectacular Men (2017)—a film written and directed by her daughter Zoey Deutch—and episodes of Star Trek: Picard.
Her work behind the camera showcases her versatility and commitment to storytelling beyond acting.
Awards and accolades
Thompson has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, reflecting her talent and versatility in film and television.
Notably, she was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Back to the Future (1985) and won a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Some Kind of Wonderful (1987).
In the realm of television, she won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Series for her role in Caroline in the City (1995-1999).
Additionally, she received nominations for the Satellite Award for Best Actress in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy for the same series.
In 2014, Thompson won the American Movie Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Trouble with the Truth.
Her contributions to the arts have been recognized across various platforms, including nominations from the Daytime Emmy Awards and the Online Film & Television Association.
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