Christina Hendricks, American actress

Christina Renée Hendricks, born on May 3, 1975, is an accomplished American actress and a former model whose distinctive presence and versatile talent have graced both screen and stage. Her career, marked by a series of critically acclaimed performances, has earned her numerous accolades, including an impressive six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Among her significant triumphs are two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, underscoring her profound impact on the television landscape.

She is perhaps most widely recognized for her indelible portrayal of Joan Holloway Harris in AMC's seminal period drama series, Mad Men. This role, set against the backdrop of 1960s Madison Avenue, cemented her status as a cultural icon. Beyond her critical acclaim, Hendricks has also captivated public imagination; in 2010, she was famously named "the sexiest woman in the world" by a poll of female readers conducted by Esquire magazine, an honor complemented by being voted "Best Looking Woman in America."

Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, where she was born to an American mother and an English father, Hendricks' formative years were spent across diverse American landscapes, including Portland, Oregon, and Twin Falls, Idaho. It was in these early environments that her passion for performance began to blossom, leading her to become actively involved in local theater productions. Following the completion of her high school education in Virginia, she embarked on a significant life change, relocating to the bustling heart of New York City. Here, she initially pursued a career in modeling, a path she entered after participating in a Seventeen magazine cover contest. This led to an extensive and successful international modeling career that spanned over a decade before she made a decisive transition into the world of acting, a move that would ultimately define her public persona.

An Iconic Turn: Joan Holloway in Mad Men

Before achieving global recognition, Hendricks honed her craft through a series of recurring television roles. She appeared in the satirical Hollywood-centric series Beggars and Choosers from 2001 to 2002, and later in the legal drama Kevin Hill from 2004 to 2005. However, it was her casting as Joan Holloway (later Harris) in AMC's critically lauded period drama Mad Men in 2007 that truly launched her into the stratosphere of television stardom. Set in the cutthroat world of 1960s New York advertising, her character, Joan, was a formidable and intelligent office manager who navigated the pervasive sexism of the era with grace, shrewdness, and an undeniable strength. Hendricks remained a central figure in the series until its emotional conclusion in 2015, delivering a performance that resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike.

Her portrayal of Joan garnered immense critical acclaim, solidifying her reputation as an actress of exceptional depth and nuance. Over the course of Mad Men's run, she received an impressive six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, a testament to the consistent excellence of her work. Furthermore, she, along with the ensemble cast, was a recipient of multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, highlighting the collaborative brilliance that made Mad Men such a phenomenon.

Venturing onto the Big Screen

While captivating audiences weekly on television, Hendricks also began to make her mark in feature films during her tenure on Mad Men. She showcased her versatility by collaborating with distinct directorial voices, earning critical notice for her work in a variety of genres. Her performances included the stylish and intense thriller Drive (2011), directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, where she delivered a memorable supporting turn. She then delved into the poignant drama Ginger & Rosa (2012), helmed by Sally Potter, further demonstrating her range. Another notable collaboration was with actor-turned-director Ryan Gosling in his neo-noir fantasy film Lost River (2014), solidifying her presence in independent and art-house cinema.

A Diverse Career Post-Mad Men

Following the conclusion of Mad Men, Christina Hendricks continued to build a remarkably diverse portfolio across both television and film, showcasing her ability to seamlessly transition between genres and character types. On the small screen, she starred in the satirical comedy series Another Period from 2015 to 2016, demonstrating her comedic timing. She also took on a leading role in the gritty SundanceTV drama series Hap and Leonard in 2016, which allowed her to explore a more dramatic and intense character. Her reunion with director Nicolas Winding Refn for a supporting role in his visually stunning and psychological thriller film The Neon Demon (2016) further highlighted her willingness to take on challenging projects. This was followed by appearances in a range of films including the comedy Fist Fight (2017), the suspenseful horror film The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018), and a delightful voice role in the beloved animated comedy Toy Story 4 (2019), where she brought the character of Gabby Gabby to life.

Her return to prominent television roles post-Mad Men saw her starring in the British-Canadian crime drama series Tin Star, which aired from 2017 to 2020. She then charmed audiences in the NBC comedy-crime series Good Girls, which ran from 2018 to 2021, where her portrayal of Beth Boland, a suburban mother turned criminal mastermind, earned her a new legion of fans and underscored her remarkable range from period drama to contemporary dark comedy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christina Hendricks

What is Christina Hendricks most famous for?
Christina Hendricks is most widely recognized for her iconic role as Joan Holloway Harris in the critically acclaimed AMC drama series Mad Men, which aired from 2007 to 2015. Her portrayal of the strong and intelligent office manager in 1960s New York significantly shaped her public image and garnered numerous accolades.
Has Christina Hendricks received any major awards for her acting?
Yes, Christina Hendricks has received significant recognition for her work. She has been nominated six times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Mad Men. She has also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (with the cast of Mad Men) and two Critics' Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Did Christina Hendricks have a career in modeling before acting?
Indeed, before her acting career took off, Christina Hendricks had an extensive and successful career as an international model. She began modeling after participating in a Seventeen magazine cover contest and continued to work in the industry for over a decade, traveling globally, before making the transition to acting.
What are some other notable television series Christina Hendricks has starred in?
Beyond Mad Men, Christina Hendricks has starred in several other popular television series. These include the satirical comedy Another Period (2015–2016), the drama Hap and Leonard (2016), the crime drama Tin Star (2017–2020), and the beloved NBC comedy-crime series Good Girls (2018–2021).
What prominent films has Christina Hendricks appeared in?
Christina Hendricks has made notable appearances in a variety of films across different genres. Her filmography includes the critically acclaimed thriller Drive (2011), the drama Ginger & Rosa (2012), Ryan Gosling's Lost River (2014), the psychological thriller The Neon Demon (2016), the horror film The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018), and she lent her voice to the character Gabby Gabby in the animated hit Toy Story 4 (2019).