Deanna Dunagan: Movies & Box Office

Deanna Dunagan (born May 25, 1940) is a renowned American actress, recognized both for her stage and on-screen performances. Principally active as a stage actress, her multitudinous contributions to theater, television, and film have etched a mark on the industry. She is celebrated for her Tony Award-winning portrayal of Violet Weston in Tracy Letts' August: Osage County as well as her striking performance as 'Nana' in M. Night Shyamalan's 2015 film, The Visit. Her talent further resonates through her performances in recurring roles of Mother Bernadette on the Fox television series The Exorcist, Mrs. Charles on Chicago Med, and as Dr. Willa Sipe in the 2018 film An Acceptable Loss by writer Joe Chappelle. Recently in 2021, she earned accolades for her role as Sharon in the film Stillwater, alongside actors Matt Damon and Abigail Breslin.

Born and raised in Monahans, Texas, Deanna is the eldest of five children with her father being a Coca-Cola bottler and president of the Texas Historical Association. After acquiring a degree in music education from the University of Texas, Austin, and serving briefly in regional theaters, she marked her Broadway debut in 1979. In a career that spans over decades, Dunagan has shown tremendous versatility through varied roles across theater, television, and film. Her love for the city of Chicago led her to move there after the end of a national tour, and she has lived there ever since, gracing over 30 theaters in the Chicago area. Her contribution has been acknowledged with three Joseph Jefferson Awards and three After Dark Awards.