Lauren Holly Biography American actress Lauren Holly is best known for her time with the television series Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, and Navy NCIS. But it was her role in the 1994 comedy Dumb & Dumber that truly launched and kept her in the limelight. Lauren Michael Holly was born October 28, 1963 in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Subsequently raised in Geneva, New York, Holly attended Geneva High School. A 1981 graduate, Holly had brains and beauty as she was noted for her academic prowess and her cheerleading. Born to an English professor and an art historian, it was little surprise that Holly pursued her secondary education from the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College. She received her undergraduate degree in English literature, leaving the institution in 1985. Beginning to dabble in acting before her graduation, Holly made her onscreen debut in 1984 with a two-episode stint on Hill Street Blues. She shared the screen with series regulars Daniel J Travanti, Bruce Weitz, and Betty Thomas. But Holly’s real breakout performance came in 1986 with a three year role as Julie Rand Chandler on All My Children. She appeared with long-running stars Susan Lucci, David Canary, Michael E Knight, James Mitchell, and many others.
After some tepidly received films, Holly received another career boost when she joined the cast of the new drama Picket Fences. Playing Maxine Stewart, Holly was a series regular beside Tom Skerritt, Kathy Baker, Holly Marie Combs, and many others. She was with the David E Kelley program until its conclusion in 1996. While with the show, she landed her first truly successful film projects. The first notable role came in 1993 with Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. Jason Scott Lee played the title character, while Holly played his wife. Robert Wagner also starred. But it is her portrayal of Mary Swanson in the 1994 comedy Dumb & Dumber for which she is most associated. Taking the role in this highly commercial and highly successful film, Holly quickly became a household name. It was also a hit for the leads Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Always able to find steady work, it was still a long draught before Holly’s next major appearance. But it finally came in 1999 with a role in Any Given Sunday. Directed by Oliver Stone, the star-studded cast included Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and Ann Margret.
In this year, she also took a recurring role on the medical drama Chicago Hope. Reuniting with Picket Fences creator Kelley, Holly’s character appeared beside Adam Arkin, Hector Elizondo, James Garner, and Carla Gugino. Most recently, Holly became the newest member of Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service in 2005. Quickly establishing herself as a popular regular, she shares the success with fellow regulars Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, Cote de Pablo, and others. In her personal life, Holly has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Danny Quinn from 1991 to 1993. She then had a high-profile, though short-lived, marriage to Dumb & Dumber costar Carrey from 1996 to 1997. Her latest marriage came in 2001 to Francis Greco. They are currently still together and have adopted three children. Her other rumored love interests include Ben Affleck, Edward Burns, Leonardo DiCaprio, and James Woods. | 
