Marcia Anne Cross was born on March 25, 1962 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. As a child, Marcia always wanted to be an actress, so she set out to have a career in acting. Cross graduated from the Julliard School in New York, a naturally gifted girl. Her career began in 1984, when she joined the cast of the daytime soap opera _"The Edge of Night" , which went on to be a monster-hit with the critics and audiences. Marcia began to be nominated for very prestigious awards - including the Emmy Award, Golden Globe, Golden Satellite Award, and a Television Critics' Association Award. Marcia even won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2005.
Received her Bachelors degree in Acting from the Juilliard School in New York City.
Received her Masters degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles.
Has played a doctor on "Melrose Place" , "Everwood" and the "Seinfeld" episode "Seinfeld" {The Slicer (#9.7)} .
Longtime companion of Richard Jordan , until his death in 1993; since then, she did not date anyone seriously, until her engagement in 2005.
Nominated for her first awards in 2004 - Golden Globe, Golden Satelitte Award, TV Guide Award and SAG Award.
Was the last of the four main actresses of "Desperate Housewives" to get married for the first time in real-life.
She and her future "Desperate Housewives" co-star, Brenda Strong , both starred in "Everwood" . Strong guest-starred in a few episodes while Cross was a steady cast-member from 2003-2004. They never were in the same episodes. They also both guest-starred in different episodes of "Ally McBeal" .
Placed 28 on VH1s list of "The 40 Hottest People Over 40" in 2005.
Placed 20 on E! Televisions list of "The 50 Most Wicked Women of Primetime" for playing Kimberly Shaw on "Melrose Place" .
She and "Desperate Housewives" co-star Teri Hatcher both made guest appearances on "Seinfeld" as prospective girlfriends of Jerry Seinfeld.
Has suffered from migraine headaches since the age of 14. She is a paid spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKlines migraine medication. She says she takes the medication when the first signs of the onset of migraine occur. With the medication, the pain is bearable and rarely lasts more than five hours. Without the medication, the pain completely wipes her out for up to a full day.
Ranked #91 on People magazines 100 Most Beautiful People in the World .
Was named the Most Beautiful Person at the 2005 Emmy Awards.
Her sister Susan was maid of honor at her wedding to Mahoney and her nephew Jared the ring bearer. Her other sister Ellen sang the song "Only Love Remains" for Marcia and her husband.
During a 2005 interview with the "Desperate Housewives" stars, she was visibly delighted when Jamie Theakston pronounced her name as "Mar-see-ah". Cross turned to her co-star, Eva Longoria , and stated that she loves the way British people pronounce her name. It was revealed that although most Americans called her "Marsha", her co-star Longoria calls her "Mar-see-ah".
Cross, along with her "Desperate Housewives" castmates Brenda Strong and Teri Hatcher , has guest-starred on "Seinfeld" unlike the other two, though, Cross only appeared in one episode.
Has an older sister named Susan and a younger sister named Ellen.
Her favorite charity is the Panzi Hospital in East Congo.
Named one of People Magazines 100 Most Beautiful People in the World .
Practices yoga with Kelly Rutherford and Lisa Rinna.
Was considered for the role of Madeleine White in Inside Man , but was not able to due to her commitment to the television series "Desperate Housewives" . Jodie Foster got the role.
Missed seven episodes of "Desperate Housewives" , near the end of the 2006-2007 season, due to her maternity leave.
Was 7 months pregnant with her twins Savannah and Eden when she completed filming the third series of "Desperate Housewives" .
Her friend, Dana Delany , was the original choice for the role of Bree Van de Kamp on "Desperate Housewives" . Delany was later cast as Katherine Mayfair.
Gave birth to twin daughters (her first and second child) at age 44, Savannah Rose Mahoney and Eden Geneva Mahoney on February 20, 2007 about two months prematurely after she was on a rest bed since January. They were conceived via IVF. Childrens father is her husband, Tom Mahoney.
Was considered for the role of Eden Capwell on "Santa Barbara" , but got cold feet and fled the waiting room before her audition was to begin.
[on the huge success of "Desperate Housewives" (2004) ] The show,has only been on, for like, five minutes; give it some time to settle,in.
