Mary-Louise Parker (born August 2, 1964 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina) is an American actress whose work in theater and film has won her international acclaim. She has been the recipient of prestigious awards such as the Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Her best-known works include Boys on the Side, Proof, The West Wing, Angels in America. and her current role on Showtime's Weeds.

Acting was always her passion and she graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts with acting as her major. She then got her start in a bit part on the soap opera Ryan's Hope.