Connie Britton
Connie Britton is an American actress known for her versatile performances in both television and film. Born on March 6, 1967, in Boston, Massachusetts, she grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, and pursued her passion for acting from a young age. Britton graduated from Dartmouth College in 1989 with a degree in Asian studies, where she also began participating in theater. After moving to New York City, she adopted the stage name Britton and honed her craft under the guidance of acting coach Sanford Meisner.
She gained prominence for her role as Tami Taylor in the critically acclaimed series *Friday Night Lights*, which earned her multiple Emmy nominations. Britton is also recognized for her work in *American Horror Story*, where she portrayed Vivien Harmon, and as Rayna James in the musical drama *Nashville*. In addition to her television successes, she has appeared in notable films, including *The Brothers McMullen* and *The Mustang*. Beyond her career, Britton is a mother to a son she adopted from Ethiopia in 2011. Her diverse roles and impactful performances have made her a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Subject Terms
Connie Britton
Actress, Producer
- Born: March 6, 1967
Also Known As: Constance Elaine Womack
Contribution: Connie Britton is an award-winning actress, best known for her starring roles in the television shows Friday Night Lights and Nashville.
Early Life
Constance Elaine Womack, who would later go by the name Connie Britton, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 6, 1967; her family moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, when she was very young. Britton knew that she wanted to be an actress as a child, and her family supported her dream. After high school she attended Dartmouth College, where she studied Chinese as a language requirement and graduated with a degree in Asian studies in 1989. At Dartmouth Britton also began acting in the school’s theatrical productions and studying theater.
After graduation, Britton (still using the last name Womack) moved to New York City to pursue acting with her future husband, John Britton. Though the couple’s marriage was brief, Connie decided to use her married name as her stage name when she began performing in New York’s theaters.
Soon after moving to New York, Britton began studying under acting legend Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre. She spent two years there before performing in various theatrical productions in and around New York City.
Life’s Work
Britton starred in her first film, the award-winning The Brothers McMullen, in 1995. After this, in 1995 and 1996, she had a short recurring role in the television series Ellen, as Heather, the sister of regular character Paige Clark. From there, Britton was given a starring role in the television movie thriller Escape Clause (1996). Her next role was on the popular ABC sitcom Spin City. From 1996 to 2000 Britton appeared in ninety-three episodes of the comedy series as accountant Nikki Faber. She also found significant side work while working on Spin City, such as a role in the dramatic thriller No Looking Back (1998) and a part in the failed pilot Cupid (1998). Following Spin City, Britton appeared in three episodes of the television series The Fugitive as the character Maggie Kimble Hume in 2000 and 2001. She then starred in the biographical film Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story (2001) and landed a role on the short-lived television series The Fighting Fitzgeralds (2001). During the same year, she starred in the romantic comedy The Next Big Thing and had minor roles in the film One Eyed King and the political television series The West Wing.
After her rush of work in 2000 and 2001, Britton slowed down. In 2003, she accepted only one role, starring in the short-lived television series Lost at Home. She returned to film in 2004 with roles in the comedy Looking for Kitty and the award-winning sports film Friday Night Lights (2004), based on a novel of the same name. In 2005, she played minor roles in the films Special Ed and The Life Coach, as well as a single-episode role in the television series Life as We Know It.
In 2006, Britton starred in two films, the horror filmThe Last Winter, and the comedy The Lather Effect; she also took on a six-episode role on the popular television series 24. That year she also took on what would be her biggest role to date: Tami Taylor, the football coach’s wife, on the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights (an adaptation of the earlier novel and 2004 film). The show won three Emmy Awards and was nominated for eleven others, including outstanding lead actress in a drama series for Britton in both 2010 and 2011. In Britton also won a Satellite Award for best actress in a series for her portrayal of Tami Taylor.
When Friday Night Lights ended its run in 2011 Britton landed a starring role in the first season of the award-winning drama American Horror Story (Britton’s season of the miniseries was later given the subtitle American Horror Story: Murder House). Her role as character Vivien Harmon was much darker than those Britton had played in the past, and she was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie. She returned to the series to reprise her role in the 2018 episode, "Return to Murder House."
The year 2012 was a busy one for Britton, who, after several small film roles, returned to television as the lead character on the series Nashville (2012–18). She stars as country music singer Rayna James in a role that requires Britton to sing as well as act. For her performance as James she was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best actress in a television drama in 2012 and received an Emmy nomination in 2013 for lead actress in a drama series.
Britton continued to be in demand as an actor during the late 2010s. She appeared in the films The Land of Steady Habits (2018) and The Mustang (2019), and in the series SMILF (2017–19). She earned a 2019 Golden Globe nomination for her starring role as Debra Newell in the drama Dirty John (2018–19).
Personal Life
Britton married boyfriend John Britton in 1991 when she was living in New York City; the couple divorced four years later. In 2011 she adopted a baby from Ethiopia named Eyob Britton.
Principal Works
Film
The Brothers McMullen, 1995
Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story, 2001
The Next Big Thing, 2001
Looking for Kitty, 2004
Friday Night Lights, 2004
The Last Winter, 2006
Conception, 2011
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, 2012
The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, 2012
The Land of Steady Habits, 2018
The Mustang, 2019
Television
Ellen, 1995–1996
Spin City, 1996–2000
The Fugitive, 2000–2001
24, 2006
Friday Night Lights, 2006–2011
American Horror Story, 2011, 2018
Nashville, 2012–18
SMILF, 2017–19
Dirty John, 2018–19
Bibliography
Adams, Erik. “Nashville’s Connie Britton on Trusting Her Voice and the Friday Night Lights Movie.” AV Club. Onion, 10 Oct. 2012. Web. 10 July 2013.
“Connie Britton, Lighting Up Friday Nights.” NPR. NPR, 23 June 2010. Web. 10 July 2013.
Dominus, Susan. “Connie Britton is a Late Bloomer.” New York Times. New York Times, 13 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 June 2013.
Leeds, Sarene. “Q&A: ‘Nashville’ Actress Connie Britton on Her New Superstar Role.” RollingStone. Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2012. Web. 10 July 2013.
Paskin, Willa. “Connie Britton on American Horror Story and Leaving Tami Taylor Behind.” New York Magazine. New York Media, 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 July 2013.