Virginia Madsen (born
September 11,
1961) is an
American actress. She came to fame during the 1980s, having appeared in several films aimed at a teenage audience. During the 2000s, she once again became known after an
Academy Award- and
Golden Globe-nominated role in the film
Sideways.
Biography
Early life
Madsen was born in
Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Elaine (
née Melson), an
Emmy-winning
poet,
producer and
playwright who often works for
PBS, and Calvin Madsen, a
fireman.
Madsen's mother left a career in corporate business to pursue a writing career.
Madsen's brother is actor
Michael Madsen. Her paternal grandparents were
Danish and her mother has
Irish and
Native American ancestry.
Madsen is a graduate of
New Trier High School in
Winnetka, Illinois.
