Felicity Huffman.

Felicity Kendall Huffman

Born 9 Dec 1962 Bedford, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 63 yr Today

10 min read

Reading time

1,919

Words

Oct 25, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Felicity Huffman won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives in 2005. She received a Golden Globe for her starring role in the 2005 film Transamerica. Huffman’s career was impacted by her 2019 conviction in the college admissions scandal.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Felicity Huffman — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Felicity Kendall Huffman

Nicknames Flicka

Aliases Flicka Huffman

Parents: Roger Tallman Maher
Spouses: William H. Macy
Children: Sophia Macy Georgia Macy

At a glance.

STATS

Felicity Huffman by the numbers — life, work, and family.

63 Age

3 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who is Felicity Huffman?

BIOGRAPHY

Felicity Huffman — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Her parents divorced when she was one year old, and she grew up in Aspen, Colorado. Felicity Kendall Huffman was born on December 9, 1962, in Bedford, New York, to Moore Peters Huffman and Grace Valle Huffman. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy, graduating in 1981 with a major in theater.

Huffman studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has six older sisters and an older brother, and at age thirteen or fourteen she discovered that her biological father was Roger Tallman Maher, a family friend.

Career

Huffman’s breakout role came in 1998 with Aaron Sorkin’s sports comedy-drama Sports Night, where she played Dana Whitaker. She earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for the role. In 2004, she was cast as Lynette Scavo on the ABC series Desperate Housewives, winning the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005 and receiving multiple nominations. The show ran for eight seasons.

In 2005, Huffman starred as Bree Osbourne in the independent film Transamerica, a role that required her to play a transgender woman. Her performance earned her the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama and an Academy Award nomination. She appeared in films including Georgia Rule and television series The Good Doctor and Criminal Minds.

Personal life

Huffman met actor William H. Macy when he taught drama at the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York. They married on September 6, 1997, after a 15-year relationship. The couple has two daughters: Sophia Grace Macy, born August 1, 2000, and Georgia Grace Macy, born March 14, 2002.

In 2019, the college admissions scandal led to Huffman’s arrest and charges. She pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Sentenced to 14 days in jail, a $30,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service, she served her time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, in October 2019.

Legacy

Felicity Huffman’s Emmy and Golden Globe wins for Desperate Housewives and Transamerica define her legacy. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. Her performances, especially as Lynette Scavo, influenced television depictions of working mothers. She continues to act, with recent roles on series including The Good Doctor.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 3

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Felicity Huffman — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 5

A wall of memorable lines from Felicity Huffman — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

My Main Experience Is That This Is a Freelance Business, and in a Freelance Business You’re Always Sure Your Last Job Really Is Your Last Job. with the Show Comes Job Security.
In the New Millennium, We’re Fighting Against the Icon of the Perfect Mother. I Don’t Know About Here, but in America You’re Not Allowed to Talk About How It’s Driving You Crazy, or How You Don’t Like It, or How, If You Have to Give a Bath One More Time, You’re Going to Pull Your Hair Out. Because Then You’re Considered a Bad Mom. There’s a Very Established Conversation or Litany, Which Is, Isn’t Motherhood the Best? to Me, That Question Just Isn’t Applicable. You Can Complain About Your Job, You Can Complain About Your Husband, You Can Complain About Your Friends, but God Forbid You Complain About Your Kids.
There Are so Few Perks About Getting Older. Everything Heads South and You Become Less and Less Attractive, but One of the Perks Is That You Can Usually Learn to Come Home to Yourself. You’re a Little More Comfortable in Your Skin, as Saggy as It Is. and That’s a Gift.
I Feel Ashamed of Us. We Had an Opportunity to Lead the World in a Different Way After 9/11 and We Blew It. and I Don’t Know If We’ll Ever Recover. and Then We Re-elected That Bonehead. I Want to Walk Around Saying, I’m so Sorry. America’s a Dichotomy. It’s Binge and Purge. It’s Really Right-wing, and Also the Left Is Coming Up. It’s Stuff Yourself and Then Starve Yourself.
Whenever I Start to Talk About Acting, People’s Eyes Roll Back in Their Heads and They Lose the Will to Live, so I Don’t Think I’m Going to Go into That.

Did you know?

FACTS · 20

Little-known facts about Felicity Huffman — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Huffman was among dozens charged by the FBI on March 12, 2019 in a college entrance exam cheating scandal; she was sentenced to 14 days in jail.
She married William H. Macy on September 6, 1997, after dating for 15 years. They met when he taught drama at the Atlantic Theatre Company.
Has six older sisters and an older brother.
On Finding Your Roots, she learned her biological father was Roger Tallman Maher.
Jessica Alba was one of her students at the Atlantic Theater Company.
She sang backup to Tina Turner on Oprah as part of a Wildest Dreams segment.
Graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 1981, majoring in theater.
Her parents divorced when she was one; she grew up in Aspen, Colorado.
One of her idols is Tina Turner.
Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.
Daughters Sofia b. 2000 and Georgia b. 2002 with husband William H. Macy.
Was replaced by Diane Venora on the sitcom Thunder Alley 1994.
Turned down a role in The Chameleon 2010 due to Desperate Housewives scheduling.
Friends with Sarah Paulson; they played sisters on Desperate Housewives.
Shares a birthday with Desperate Housewives co-star Jesse Metcalfe.
Sang backup on Rebecca Pidgeon’s album The New York Girls’ Club 1996.
Has German, English, French, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Dutch, and Irish ancestry.
Attended Marcia Cross’s wedding to Tom Mahoney.
Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 7, 2012 at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.
Launched the website What The Flicka on March 1, 2012.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 32

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Felicity Huffman.

When was Felicity Huffman born?

Felicity Huffman was born on December 9, 1962. She is currently 63 years old. Her birth sign is Sagittarius.
Where was Felicity Huffman born?

She was born in Bedford, New York, USA. Bedford is located in Westchester County.
How old is Felicity Huffman?

Felicity Huffman is 63 years old as of 2025. She was born on December 9, 1962.
What is Felicity Huffman's real name?

Her full birth name is Felicity Kendall Huffman. She often goes by Felicity Huffman professionally. Her nickname Flicka is derived from her first name.
What does Felicity Huffman do for a living?

Felicity Huffman is an actress, producer, and director. She is best known for her roles in television series like Desperate Housewives and the film Transamerica. She also works behind the camera as a producer and director.
What nationality is Felicity Huffman?

Felicity Huffman is an American. She was born in the United States and holds U.S. citizenship. Her ancestry includes German, English, French, and other European roots.
Who are Felicity Huffman's parents?

Her parents are Moore Peters Huffman and Grace Valle Huffman. They divorced when she was one year old. She later discovered that her biological father is Roger Tallman Maher.
Who is Felicity Huffman married to?

She is married to actor William H. Macy. They were married on September 6, 1997, after a 15-year relationship. Macy taught drama at the Atlantic Theatre Company where they met.
Does Felicity Huffman have children?

Yes, she has two daughters with William H. Macy: Sophia Grace Macy, born August 1, 2000, and Georgia Grace Macy, born March 14, 2002.
Where did Felicity Huffman go to school?

She attended several schools including The Putney School, Interlochen Arts Academy, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She graduated from Interlochen in 1981.
What awards has Felicity Huffman won?

She has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives and a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for Transamerica. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.
How many awards has Felicity Huffman won?

She has won three major awards: an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also received numerous nominations throughout her career.
What is Felicity Huffman best known for?

She is best known for her role as Lynette Scavo on Desperate Housewives and her Oscar-nominated performance in Transamerica. She is also recognized for her work on Sports Night and The Good Doctor.
How tall is Felicity Huffman?

Felicity Huffman is 5 feet 5 inches tall, or 1.65 meters. Her height has been listed in her professional profiles.
What is Felicity Huffman's nickname?

Her nickname is Flicka. It is a childhood diminutive derived from her first name Felicity. She sometimes uses it professionally as in her website What The Flicka.
Has Felicity Huffman used any other names?

She has also been known as Flicka Huffman. This alias combines her nickname with her surname. It appears in some credits and personal projects.
What is Felicity Huffman known for?

She is known for her roles in Sports Night, Transamerica, Desperate Housewives, and Georgia Rule. Her performance in Transamerica earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Is Felicity Huffman married?

Yes, she is married to William H. Macy. They have been married since September 6, 1997. The couple shares two daughters.
How many award nominations has Felicity Huffman received?

She has received 85 nominations throughout her career. This includes nominations for Emmy, Golden Globe, and other industry awards.
What was Felicity Huffman's role in the college admissions scandal?

Felicity Huffman was charged in 2019 for paying $15,000 to inflate her daughter’s SAT scores. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. She served 14 days in prison and was fined $30,000.
What is Felicity Huffman's educational background?

She studied theater at Interlochen Arts Academy and later attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She also studied at Circle in the Square Theatre School.
Did Felicity Huffman win an Oscar?

No, she did not win an Oscar. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for Transamerica in 2006. She lost to Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line.
Who taught Felicity Huffman drama?

Her husband William H. Macy taught drama at the Atlantic Theatre Company where she was a student. They met through that teaching relationship.
What did Felicity Huffman study at Interlochen?

She majored in theater at Interlochen Arts Academy, graduating in 1981. The school specializes in arts education.
What is Felicity Huffman's ancestry?

She has German, English, French, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Dutch, and Irish ancestry. One of her great-grandfathers founded the Peters Cartridge Company.
When did Felicity Huffman get her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

She received her star on March 7, 2012. It is located at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.
Who are Felicity Huffman's children?

Her daughters are Sophia Grace Macy and Georgia Grace Macy. Sophia was born in 2000 and Georgia in 2002. Both are from her marriage to William H. Macy.
What is the website What The Flicka?

Felicity Huffman launched the website What The Flicka in 2012. It is a site dedicated to women and mothers. She is a regular contributor to the platform.
Did Felicity Huffman appear in any Best Picture Oscar nominated films?

As of 2018, she had not appeared in a film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. She has worked mainly in television and smaller films.
Who is Felicity Huffman's best friend?

Her best friend is Patricia Wolff. They have a close friendship.
What is Felicity Huffman's favorite drink?

She likes herbal tea. This is a personal preference she has mentioned.
Who was Felicity Huffman's childhood celebrity crush?

Her childhood crush was Henry Winkler, specifically his character The Fonz from Happy Days.

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Audited & updated by

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on October 25, 2026

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