Dana Welles Delany is an American actress. After appearing in small roles early in her career, Delany received her breakthrough role as Colleen McMurphy on the ABC television drama China Beach (1988–1991), for which she received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1989 and 1992.
Delany graduated from Wesleyan University in 1978 with a degree in theater. After graduating, she moved to New York City and began her acting career. She appeared in several off-Broadway productions, and she also had small roles in films and television shows.
After China Beach ended in 1991, Delany continued to appear in films and television shows. She starred in the films Light Sleeper (1992), Tombstone (1993), Exit to Eden (1994), and The Margaret Sanger Story (1995). She also had recurring roles on the television shows The L Word (2004–2009) and Desperate Housewives (2004–2007).
In addition to her acting career, Delany is also a writer and producer. She has written several articles and essays, and she has also produced several films and television shows. She is also a vocal advocate for women’s rights and has spoken out against sexual harassment and assault.
Dana Delany Movies and TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Fan | Saleswoman in record store | |
| 1984 | Almost You | Susan McCall | |
| 1986 | Where the River Runs Black | Sister Ana | |
| 1988 | Masquerade | Anne Briscoe | |
| 1988 | Patty Hearst | Gelina | |
| 1988 | Moon over Parador | Jenny | |
| 1992 | Light Sleeper | Marianne | |
| 1992 | Housesitter | Becky Metcalf | |
| 1993 | Tombstone | Josephine Marcus | |
| 1993 | Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Andrea Beaumont | Voice |
| 1994 | Exit to Eden | Lisa Emerson | |
| 1995 | Live Nude Girls | Jill | |
| 1996 | Fly Away Home | Susan Barnes | |
| 1998 | The Curve | Dr. Ashley | |
| 1998 | Wide Awake | Mrs. Beal | |
| 1999 | Outfitters | Cat Bonfaim | |
| 2000 | The Right Temptation | Anthea Farrow-Smith | |
| 2002 | Mother Ghost | Karen Bennett | |
| 2003 | Spin | Margaret Swift-Bejarano | |
| 2005 | Getting to Know You | Marla | Short |
| 2006 | Superman: Brainiac Attacks | Lois Lane | Voice |
| 2007 | Route 30 | Amish Martha | |
| 2008 | A Beautiful Life | Anne | |
| 2008 | Flying Lessons | Jeanne | |
| 2010 | Multiple Sarcasms | Annie | |
| 2010 | Camp Hope | Patricia | |
| 2010 | Drunkboat | Eileen | |
| 2012 | Freelancers | Lydia Vecchio | |
| 2013 | Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox | Lois Lane[107] | Voice |
| 2017 | Literally, Right Before Aaron | Wendy |
| Year | Title | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Ryan’s Hope | Ryan’s bar patron | |
| 1978–79 | Love of Life | Amy Russell | |
| 1981 | As the World Turns | Hayley Wilson Hollister | |
| 1984 | Threesome | Laura Shaper | |
| 1984 | The Streets | Jeannie | |
| 1985 | Moonlighting | Jillian Armstrong | |
| 1986 | A Winner Never Quits | Nora | |
| 1986 | Liberty | Moya Trevor | |
| 1986–87 | Magnum, P.I. | Cynthia Farrell | |
| 1987 | Sweet Surrender | Georgia Holden | |
| 1988 | Thirtysomething | Eve | |
| 1988–91 | China Beach | Colleen McMurphy | |
| 1990 | A Promise to Keep | Jane Goodrich | |
| 1992 | Cheers | Susan Metheny | |
| 1993 | Wild Palms | Grace Wyckoff | |
| 1993 | Donato and Daughter | Lieutenant Dena Donato | |
| 1994 | The Enemy Within | Betsy Corcoran | |
| 1994 | Texan | Anne Williams | |
| 1995 | Fallen Angels | Helen Fiske | |
| 1995 | Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story | Margaret Sanger | |
| 1996 | For Hope | Hope Altman | |
| 1996 | Wing Commander Academy | Gwen Archer Bowman | |
| 1996–2000 | Superman: The Animated Series | Lois Lane | |
| 1997 | Duckman | Dr. Susan Fox | |
| 1997 | True Women | Sarah Ashby McClure | |
| 1997 | Spy Game | Honey Trapp | |
| 1998 | The Batman/Superman Movie: World’s Finest | Lois Lane | |
| 1998 | The Patron Saint of Liars | Rose Cleardon Abbott | |
| 1998 | Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Couples | Johtje Vos | |
| 1999 | Resurrection | Clare Miller | |
| 1999 | Sirens | Sally Rawlings | |
| 1999 | Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story | Elaine Gunn | |
| 2001 | Family Law | Mary Sullivan | |
| 2001 | Final Jeopardy | Alexandra Cooper | |
| 2001–02 | Pasadena | Catherine McAllister | |
| 2002 | Conviction | Martha | |
| 2002–03 | Presidio Med | Dr. Rae Brennan | |
| 2003 | A Time to Remember | Britt Calhoun | |
| 2003–05 | Justice League | Lois Lane, Maggie Sawyer, Loana | |
| 2004 | Baby for Sale | Nathalie Johnson | |
| 2004 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Carolyn Spencer | |
| 2004 | Boston Legal | Samantha Fleming | |
| 2005 | Kojak | Kate McNeil | |
| 2005–06 | Related | Francesca Sorelli | |
| 2006 | The L Word | Senator Barbara Grisham | |
| 2006 | Battlestar Galactica | Sesha Abinell | |
| 2006 | The Woman with the Hungry Eyes | Theda Bara | |
| 2006 | Kidnapped | Ellie Cain | |
| 2007 | The Batman | Lois Lane | |
| 2007–10, 2012 | Desperate Housewives | Katherine Mayfair | |
| 2010 | Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Vilsi Vaylar | |
| 2010 | Castle | Special Agent Jordan Shaw | |
| 2010 | Firebreather | Margaret Rosenblatt | |
| 2011–13 | Body of Proof | Dr. Megan Hunt | |
| 2014–17 | Hand of God | Crystal Harris | |
| 2015 | The Comedians | Julie | |
| 2015 | No Second Chance | Loraine Tansmore | |
| 2018 | Bull | Assistant US Attorney Banner | |
| 2019 | The Code | Colonel Glenn Turnbull, USMC | |
| 2021 | The American Guest | Edith Roosevelt | |
| 2022-present | Tulsa King | Margaret Devereaux | |
| 2023 | The Other Two | Emily Overruled |
Dana Delany Married
Dana Delany is not married. She has never been married and has no children. She has said that she is not interested in marriage, but she has not ruled out having children in the future.
In a 2006 interview, Delany said that she is “not afraid of being alone.” She said that she is “comfortable in her own skin” and that she “doesn’t need a man to complete her.”
Dana Delany Young
Delany was born in New York City, the daughter of Mary and Jack Delany. She has a sister, Corey, and a brother, Sean. She is of Irish and English descent and was raised Roman Catholic. She has stated that, even as a little girl, she always wanted to go into acting.
Dana Delany 2023
Here are some of Delany’s upcoming projects in 2023:
Female Troubles: Delany will star in a new musical called Female Troubles, which will be produced by the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The musical is about a group of women who are trying to find their way in the world.
Tulsa King: Delany will star in the upcoming television series Tulsa King, which will be created by Sylvester Stallone. The series is about a mafia boss who is trying to start a new life in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dana Delany Education
Delany attended Phillips Academy Andover, a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts. She then went on to study acting at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
Dana Delany Instagram
Delany’s Instagram handle is @danadelanyofficial. She has over 30,000 followers on the platform. She uses her Instagram account to share photos and videos from her personal life and her work.