Sarah Jessica Parker.

Sarah Jessica Parker — Actor

Born 25 Mar 1965 Nelsonville, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 61 yr Today

18 min read

Reading time

3,463

Words

Jun 14, 2026

Published

125

Film credits

1

Book

7

Awards

TL;DR

Sarah Jessica Parker gained global fame playing Carrie Bradshaw in HBO’s Sex and the City 1998-2004, earning a Golden Globe in 2000 and an Emmy in 2004. She was born in 1965 in Nelsonville, Ohio, and began her career on Broadway in Annie. She also starred in films like Hocus Pocus 1993 and The Family Stone 2005.

Identity & family.

KIN · 8

Names, aliases, and relatives of Sarah Jessica Parker — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames SJP

Aliases Sarah Jessica, Sarah J. Parker, Sara Parker

PARENTS: Barbara Keck Stephen Parker
SPOUSES: Matthew Broderick
CHILDREN: James Wilkie Broderick Tabitha Hodge Broderick Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick
SIBLINGS: Pippin Parker Timothy Britten Parker

At a glance.

STATS

Sarah Jessica Parker by the numbers — life, work, and family.

61 Age

125 Film credits

1 Book

7 Awards

1 Marriage

3 Children

Who is Sarah Jessica Parker?

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah Jessica Parker — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Sarah Jessica Parker was born on March 25, 1965, in Nelsonville, Ohio, to Barbara Keck, a nursery school teacher, and Stephen Parker, a journalist. Her parents divorced, and her mother later married Paul Forste, bringing the total number of children to eight. She trained in singing and ballet from a young age and was cast in the Broadway production of The Innocents, prompting her family to relocate to New Jersey.

She performed with four of her siblings in The Sound of Music and landed the lead role in the Broadway run of Annie. After a year as the orphan, she attended Dwight Morrow High School while continuing to act, appearing in the made-for-TV movie My Body, My Child 1982 and the sitcom Square Pegs 1982 as high-schooler Patty Green.

Career

Parker’s career gained momentum with the sitcom Square Pegs 1982, though it lasted only one year. She transitioned to film with supporting roles in Footloose 1984 and Firstborn 1984, and the lead in Girls Just Want to Have Fun 1985. After several TV appearances, she landed a role opposite Steve Martin in L.A. Story 1991.

She continued with film roles in Honeymoon in Vegas 1992 opposite Nicolas Cage, Hocus Pocus 1993, and Ed Wood 1994. A Woody Allen admirer, she starred in the TV movie The Sunshine Boys 1996 and the film Miami Rhapsody 1995. 1996 saw roles in The First Wives Club, If Lucy Fell, and Mars Attacks!.

She landed the role of Carrie Bradshaw in the HBO series Sex and the City 1998-2004. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in 2000 and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2004. The show made her a fashion icon.

Personal life

Parker married actor Matthew Broderick on May 19, 1997. They were introduced by her brother Timothy Britten Parker. Before marrying Broderick, she lived with Robert Downey Jr. from 1984 to 1991 and dated John F. Kennedy Jr. She has three children: son James Wilkie Broderick, born in 2002, and twin daughters Tabitha Hodge and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick, born via surrogate in 2009.

She maintains a strict no-nudity clause in her contracts and never did nude scenes on Sex and the City. She is a member of Hollywood’s Women’s Political Committee and serves as UNICEF’s representative for the Performing Arts.

Legacy

Sarah Jessica Parker played Carrie Bradshaw, becoming a global fashion icon. Manolo Blahnik named a shoe, the SJP, after her. The character’s love for designer shoes influenced fashion trends worldwide. Her work on Sex and the City earned her seven Golden Globe nominations and multiple wins, including a Golden Globe in 2000 and a Primetime Emmy in 2004.

Beyond acting, she produced the series and its subsequent films. She buys second-hand clothes for her children and used second-hand costumes on her show Divorce 2016. She was ranked #7 on Forbes’ highest-paid actresses list in 2012. She remains most remembered for playing Carrie Bradshaw.

Filmography.

FILMS · 125

Browse the complete filmography of Sarah Jessica Parker — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Daily Show

1996
TV

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014
TV

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015
TV

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009
TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Sesame Street

1969
TV

Glee

2009
TV

Sex and the City

1998
TV

Hotel

1982
TV

Project Runway

2004
TV

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003
TV

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

1988
TV

MTV Movie & TV Awards

1992
TV

Chelsea

2016

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 7

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

Lucy Award
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series
Time 100
Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year
Carol Burnett Award

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 1

Sarah Jessica Parker's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Sex and the City 2 the Stories the Fashion the Adventure

by Sarah Jessica Parker

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 15

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

I Tell My Friends Married Life Is Boring, but That’s Just a Fun Thing to Say to Make Single People Feel Better.
Celebrity and the Media Are Reliant on Each Other Always Have Been but We Have Lost the Elegance in That Relationship, Somehow.
Fashion Is a Part of My Work. I Feel a Responsibility to Be Presentable, to Dress up If the Occasion Calls for It. But, Really, Fashion Does Not Play That Big a Role in My Life These Days.
One of the Things That’s Great About New York Is That It Is Not a One Industry Town. It Has Education, Academia, the Service Industry, Arts, Publishing, Theater, Politics, Fashion, Finance, as Well as Movie Making. There Are so Many People Who Are Cogs in the Great Wheel of the City That a Less Bright Light Is Shone on Our Lives. It Still Exists There Are Always Paparazzi at Our House but Being a Public Person Feels Less Like a Business Than It Does in LA. and You Have to Approach It Differently. I Can’t Hide Behind Gates, or in a Car, but If I Can Get a Few Yards from My Front Door, I Can Still Get Lost in a Crowd. I Am Always Moments, Just Moments, from Obscurity on a Crowded Street in New York.
“I Get the Feeling People Are Disappointed with Me Because I Don’t Have the Answers for Them. I Have to Remind Them That I Don’t Have a Ph.D. in Sex or Counseling.
Regarding Her New Steve & Barry Line of Affordable Conservative Womenswear: There’s Not Going to Be Any Inappropriate Midriff Showing, Regardless of Your Age. I Really Don’t Care for It. I Feel Like, as a Culture, We Have Seen Enough Damage Done by It. It’s Provocative in a Way That I Just Don’t Feel Comfortable With.
As a Woman, I Have an Inherent Need to Be All Things to All People, to Make Certain Everybody’s Taken Care Of. I Know I Can’t Sustain That Level All the Time, so I’m Finding the Proper Balance and It’s Made Me Infinitely Happier.
I Have a Team of Style Experts for Being Carrie, but I Am Not Carrie. I’m Not Even Much of a Shopper. I Don’t Feel I Need a Lot of Clothes. but I Work in an Industry Where Appearance Is Everything and Sometimes I Have to Work Hard at Looking Good.
When I Go to a Premiere I Like to Borrow Lovely Clothes and Shoes from Designers. It’s Like the Library: If You Return Them in Good Condition, You Get to Borrow More. I’m Very Lucky.
I Dress Like Most Mothers Quickly!
You Don’t Want to See Me Topless.
People Should Dress the Way They Want. If You Walk Out the Door Feeling Good About Yourself, That’s What Counts.
Don’t Ever Let Other People’s Opinions of You Be Your Opinion of Yourself.
I’ve Destroyed My Feet, but It Was Worth It.
I Love the Smell of Diapers. I Even Like When They’re Wet and You Smell Them All Warm Like a Baked Good.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Sarah Jessica Parker — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Despite playing a lead in a TV series about sexual relationships, Parker has always had a no-nudity clause in her contract. She has never done nude scenes and carefully chooses work that does not embarrass her family.
In Hocus Pocus 1993, she played a witch executed during the Salem Witch Trials. While researching family history on Who Do You Think You Are? 2010, Parker discovered her 10th great-grandmother Esther Elwell was arrested for witchcraft in Salem, with the accusation ending the trials.
Despite her reputation as a fashion icon from Sex and the City 1998, she now buys only second-hand clothes for her children and her shoe line uses Italian cobblers paid a living wage. The costumes on her show Divorce 2016 are all second-hand, after viewing The True Cost 2015 changed her perspective.
She is the only one of the four main female actresses of Sex and the City 1998 not to do nudity on the show, due to a strict no-nudity clause in her contract.
She lived with Robert Downey Jr. from 1984 to 1991.
She admits to being prudish and clean-living, never rebelling as a teenager. She once left a party because of the alcohol, and had reservations about Sex and the City due to its explicit content, but later dedicated herself to the show.
Manolo Blahnik named a shoe in her honor, the SJP.
Many betting establishments stopped accepting bets on Parker for the 2004 Primetime Emmy Awards because she was so widely predicted to win, and she did.
She was introduced to husband Matthew Broderick through her brother, Timothy Britten Parker.
She was turned down for the role of Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman 1990, which went to Julia Roberts.
She played Annie during the original Broadway run of Annie, third in the list of girls to play her.
Growing up sharing clothes and having only one or two pairs of shoes a year, she developed a shoe fetish shared by her character on Sex and the City 1998. She has a closet in her home just for footwear.
Twin daughters Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge were born via surrogate at East Ohio Regional Hospital.
After her contract with the Gap was terminated, she launched her own perfume, earning seven figures.
Son James Wilkie Broderick was born at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, named after Broderick’s father James and writer Wilkie Collins.
She ranked #7 on Forbes’ List of Highest-Paid Actresses in 2012, with $15 million, mostly from perfume and endorsements.
She was six months pregnant with her son James when filming completed on the fifth season of Sex and the City 1998.
In 2014, Vogue created the video 73 Questions with Sarah Jessica Parker, following her around her apartment in one shot.
With $30 million, she ranked #2 on Forbes’ highest-paid actresses list for 2010-2011, tied with Angelina Jolie, though $18 million came from collaborations with Halston and her fragrance NYC.
She prefers British television comedies, especially Fawlty Towers 1975 and Absolutely Fabulous 1992.
She celebrated her 40th birthday at the Plaza, with guests including Kyra Sedgwick, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Noth, and her Sex and the City co-stars.
Finally won an Emmy in 2004 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series after five consecutive losses.
She is one of eight children: brothers Timothy Britten Parker and Pippin Parker, sister Rachel Parker, and half-siblings Aaron D. Forste, Andrew Forste, Megan Forste, and Allegra Forste. Rachel is a physician’s assistant in cardiac surgery.
Once, live on air, she called the radio show Opie & Anthony to call them out for criticism of her appearance at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards.
She returned to work six months after giving birth to her son James to begin filming the sixth season of Sex and the City 1998.
Her brother Aaron D. Forste is a production assistant on Sex and the City 1998.
Andie MacDowell beat her for the role of Carrie in Four Weddings and a Funeral 1994.
Made her first television special at age 8.
She and husband Matthew Broderick had movies opening on the same day: December 16, 2005—The Producers for him, The Family Stone for her.
Close friends with actor Willie Garson for over 15 years.
A member of the Hollywood Women’s Political Committee.
Counts Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys 1998 as her favorite Sex and the City episode, revealed on Inside the Actors Studio in 2008.
Her father was of Ashkenazi Jewish descent; her mother has German and some English ancestry.
In May 2015, she posted a photo on Instagram teasing a new collaboration with Bloomingdales, which fans misread as hinting at a third Sex and the City movie, leading to a media frenzy and an official denial from Warner Bros.
Originally cast in Wild Oats 2016, she dropped out and was replaced by Demi Moore. Previously, Parker had replaced Moore in Lovelace 2013.
Hosted the 2000 MTV Movie Awards, changing into 15 different outfits during the show.
She sits on the New York City Ballet’s Board of Directors.
Dated singer/songwriter Joshua Kadison; after the breakup, he wrote the song Jessie about dealing with it.
Hosted the 2000 MTV Movie Awards and did a spoof with her Sex and the City co-stars called Sex and the Matrix.
Was offered the role of Danielle Bowden in Cape Fear 1991 but turned it down; the role went to Juliette Lewis.
Received eight consecutive Golden Globe nominations: seven for Sex and the City and one for The Family Stone 2005.
Appeared as a special guest star on several episodes of Shalom Sesame 1987, the Israeli version of Sesame Street.
Sex and the City 1998 made her a fashion icon worldwide due to her extravagant New Yorkian style.
Played a role in the original stage production of The Heidi Chronicles, only to be replaced when it moved to Broadway by Cynthia Nixon, her Sex and the City co-star. Kim Cattrall played in the 1995 film version, making Kristin Davis the only regular cast member not in a version.
Returned to work two months after the birth of her twins to begin filming Sex and the City 2 2010.
Originally set to cameo in Lovelace 2013 as Gloria Steinem, but her scenes were cut; the role was originally Demi Moore’s, who dropped out.
Very close friends with actor Ron Rifkin.
After ending Sex and the City, she negotiated a multi-million dollar contract with The Gap, a brand she never wore once on the show.
Re-negotiated her contract to sell Nutrisse Hair Products for a seven-figure sum.
Attended the School for the Creative and Performing Arts SCPA in Cincinnati with Rocky Carroll.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 45

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Sarah Jessica Parker.

When was Sarah Jessica Parker born?

Sarah Jessica Parker was born on March 25, 1965. She was born to Barbara Keck and Stephen Parker in Nelsonville, Ohio.
Where was Sarah Jessica Parker born?

She was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, USA. Her father was a journalist and her mother ran a nursery school.
How old is Sarah Jessica Parker?

As of 2025, Sarah Jessica Parker is 60 years old. She was born on March 25, 1965, and continues to act and produce.
What does Sarah Jessica Parker do for a living?

She is an actor and producer. She gained fame as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City and has produced films and TV shows.
What nationality is Sarah Jessica Parker?

She is American. She was born in Ohio and holds United States citizenship.
What language does Sarah Jessica Parker speak?

Her native language is English. She is a native English speaker from the United States.
Who are Sarah Jessica Parker's parents?

Her parents are Barbara Keck, a teacher, and Stephen Parker, a journalist. They divorced, and her mother later married Paul Forste.
Who is Sarah Jessica Parker married to?

She is married to actor Matthew Broderick since May 19, 1997. They were introduced by her brother Timothy Britten Parker.
Does Sarah Jessica Parker have children?

Yes, she has three children: son James Wilkie Broderick born 2002 and twin daughters Tabitha Hodge and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick born 2009 via surrogate.
Does Sarah Jessica Parker have any siblings?

She has seven siblings, including full siblings Pippin Parker, Timothy Britten Parker, and Rachel Parker, plus half-siblings Aaron D. Forste, Andrew Forste, Megan Forste, and Allegra Forste.
Where did Sarah Jessica Parker go to school?

She attended Dwight Morrow High School, Professional Children’s School, Hollywood High School, HB Studio, and the University of Cincinnati.
What awards has Sarah Jessica Parker won?

She has won several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 2004 and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy 2000. She also received the Carol Burnett Award and was named to the Time 100.
How many awards has Sarah Jessica Parker won?

She has won seven major awards listed on her profile, including Emmys, Golden Globes, and the Lucy Award. She has also received 77 nominations overall.
What is Sarah Jessica Parker best known for?

She is best known for playing Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO series Sex and the City 1998-2004. The role made her a fashion icon and earned her multiple awards.
What is Sarah Jessica Parker's Instagram?

Her Instagram handle is @sarahjessicaparker. She posts photos related to her work and personal life.
How tall is Sarah Jessica Parker?

She stands at 5 feet 3 inches 1.60 meters. Her height is often noted in her acting roles.
What does the nickname SJP stand for?

SJP stands for Sarah Jessica Parker. It is commonly used by fans and media as an abbreviation of her name.
What other names has Sarah Jessica Parker used professionally?

She has used the aliases Sarah Jessica, Sarah J. Parker, and Sara Parker in various credits.
Is Sarah Jessica Parker married?

Yes, she is married to actor Matthew Broderick. They wed on May 19, 1997, and have three children together.
How many children does Sarah Jessica Parker have?

She has three children: James Wilkie Broderick born 2002 and twin daughters Tabitha Hodge and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick born 2009.
Who are Sarah Jessica Parker's siblings?

Her siblings include Pippin Parker, Timothy Britten Parker, and Rachel Parker, plus half-siblings Aaron, Andrew, Megan, and Allegra Forste.
How many award nominations has Sarah Jessica Parker received?

She has received 77 award nominations over her career, including multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nods.
What was Sarah Jessica Parker's first major role?

Her first major role was the lead in the Broadway production of Annie at a young age. That performance launched her acting career.
What is the no-nudity clause Sarah Jessica Parker has?

She has a strict no-nudity clause in her contracts and never did nude scenes on Sex and the City or in films. She carefully chooses roles that do not embarrass her family.
Why did Sarah Jessica Parker become a fashion icon?

Her role as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City made her a fashion icon. The character’s love for designer shoes and stylish outfits influenced fashion trends worldwide, and Manolo Blahnik even named a shoe after her.
What is Sarah Jessica Parker's involvement with UNICEF?

She serves as UNICEF’s representative for the Performing Arts. She is also a member of Hollywood’s Women’s Political Committee.
What film did Sarah Jessica Parker star in with Nicolas Cage?

She starred opposite Nicolas Cage in the 1992 comedy Honeymoon in Vegas. The role showcased her comedic talent.
How did Sarah Jessica Parker's family history connect to the Salem Witch Trials?

On Who Do You Think You Are? 2010, she discovered that her 10th great-grandmother Esther Elwell was arrested for witchcraft in Salem. The accusation helped end the Salem Witch Trials.
What is Sarah Jessica Parker's favorite episode of Sex and the City?

She revealed on Inside the Actors Studio that her favorite episode is Valley of the Twenty-Something Guys 1998.
Did Sarah Jessica Parker win an Emmy for Sex and the City?

Yes, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2004 after five consecutive losses.
What perfume does Sarah Jessica Parker sell?

She launched her own perfume NYC, which became a best-seller. The fragrance contributed significantly to her earnings, with $18 million of her 2010-2011 income coming from it.
How did Sarah Jessica Parker meet her husband Matthew Broderick?

They were introduced by her brother Timothy Britten Parker. They married in 1997 and have three children.
What was Sarah Jessica Parker's role in Hocus Pocus?

She played the witch Sarah Sanderson in the 1993 film Hocus Pocus. The film has become a Halloween classic.
Did Sarah Jessica Parker attend college?

She attended the University of Cincinnati but left to pursue a full-time acting career. She also studied at the HB Studio.
What is Sarah Jessica Parker's connection to Manolo Blahnik?

Manolo Blahnik named a shoe style SJP in her honor. The shoe references her character Carrie Bradshaw’s love for designer footwear on Sex and the City.
Why did Sarah Jessica Parker start buying second-hand clothes?

After watching the documentary The True Cost 2015, she became conscious of fast fashion’s impact. She now buys second-hand clothes for her children and uses second-hand costumes on her show Divorce 2016.
What is Sarah Jessica Parker's height?

She is 5 feet 3 inches 1.60 meters tall.
Does Sarah Jessica Parker have a shoe line?

Yes, she has a shoe line that makes high-quality shoes created by Italian cobblers. The shoes are made to last and produced for a living wage.
What was Sarah Jessica Parker's first TV appearance?

She made her first television special at the age of 8, and later appeared in the made-for-TV movie My Body, My Child 1982.
How many siblings does Sarah Jessica Parker have in show business?

Two of her siblings, Timothy Britten Parker and Pippin Parker, are also in show business. Her sister Rachel chose to become a physician’s assistant.
What political committee is Sarah Jessica Parker part of?

She is a member of the Hollywood Women’s Political Committee, which advocates for various political causes.
Did Sarah Jessica Parker date Robert Downey Jr.?

Yes, she lived with Robert Downey Jr. from 1984 to 1991. She also dated John F. Kennedy Jr. before marrying Matthew Broderick.
What is the name of Sarah Jessica Parker's son?

Her son is James Wilkie Broderick, born in 2002. He was named after Broderick’s father James and writer Wilkie Collins.
How did Sarah Jessica Parker's childhood influence her shoe fetish?

Growing up with many siblings, she had to share clothes and had only one or two pairs of shoes a year. This led to a shoe fetish that was also adopted by her character Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City.
What was Sarah Jessica Parker's role in Square Pegs?

She played Patty Green, a high-schooler, in the 1982 sitcom Square Pegs. It was her first major television role.

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Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on June 14, 2026

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