Who is Andie MacDowell? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Rosalie Anderson MacDowell

Age: 64 Years, 64 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Paul Qualley (m. 1986–1999), Rhett Hartzog (m. 2001–2004)

father: Johnston

mother: Pauline

children: Justin Qualley, Margaret Qualley, Rainey Qualley

Born Country: United States

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Females

Ancestry: British American, Irish American, French American

Notable Alumni: Winthrop University

U.S. State: South Carolina

More Facts

education: Winthrop University

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Childhood & Early Life

Andie MacDowell was born on 21 April 1958 in Gaffney, South Carolina, the United States. Her father Marion St. Pierre MacDowell worked as a lumber executive, and her mother Pauline Johnston as a music teacher. She hails from a family of mixed ancestry, including English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and French heritages.

She attended Winthrop University, a liberal arts university located in South Carolina. Being from a humble background, she had to support herself with minimum wage jobs during her college years. After two years, she decided to drop out after she managed to be spotted by a model agency and signed a contract.

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Career

Andie MacDowell began her modeling career with L’Oreal and Calvin Klein Inc. among other reputed brands. Her modeling assignments soon led her to the world of acting.

She made her film debut with a role in ‘Greystoke-The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes’, a 1984 British adventure film which was directed by Hugh Hudson. The film was based on the novel ‘Tarzan of the Apes’, by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The film starred also renowned actors such as Ralph Richardson, Ian Holm, James Fox and Cheryl Campbell.

She rose to popularity after her role in ‘Sex, Lies and Videotape’, a 1989 American film that was based on the story of a man who filmed women discussing their sexuality. It also tells the stories of married couples whose relationships are impacted because of him.

Andie MacDowell later appeared in a lead role in the award winning film ‘Short Cuts’, a 1993 comedy-drama film, which was directed by Robert Altman. The film tells several stories which are centered on the topics of death and infidelity.

In 1994, MacDowell appeared in a major role in the award winning British romantic comedy ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral.’ The film was directed by Mike Newell. It focuses on the emotional adventures of a man named Charles and his circle of friends, as each of them encounters romance in their lives.

Andie MacDowell also acted in a lot of other successful films in the 1990s. They include ‘Bad Girls’ (1994), ‘Multiplicity’ (1996), ‘The End of Violence’ (1997) and ‘Just the Ticket’ (1999).

She has also appeared in a few television programs, the most recent one being the American-Canadian TV series ‘Cedar Cove’ (2013-15). The show was about Olivia Lockhart, a Municipal Court Judge, whose role was played by MacDowell. The show, based on a novel by Debbie Macomber, focuses on Lockhart’s personal and professional life, as well as the lives of the townsfolk surrounding her.

Some of her more recent works include ‘Breaking at the Edge’ (2013) and ‘Magic Mike XXL’ (2015).

Major Works

*‘Sex, Lies and Videotape’, a 1989 American independent film which was directed by Steven Soderbergh, was the first significant work of Andie MacDowell’s career. The story is about a man who films women while they discuss their sexuality, and how he impacts the relationships of married couples.

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The film not only won the ‘Palme d’Or’ the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival, but it also revolutionized the independent film movement of the early 1990s. It received mostly mixed reviews.

*‘Short Cuts’, an American comedy-drama which was released in 1993, is also regarded as an important work in MacDowell’s career. The film, which was directed by Robert Altman, was actually inspired by nine short stories as well as a poem by Raymond Carver.

In addition to MacDowell, the film also starred actors such as Matthew Modine, Julianne Moore, Fred Ward, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Penn. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics. The cast was awarded a Special Golden Globe Award for their ensemble acting. At the Venice Film festival, the film was awarded with the prestigious Golden Lion and the Volpi Cup as well, for the Best Ensemble Cast.

‘Magic Mike XXL’ a 2015 American drama film, is the most recent significant work of Andie MacDowell. The film was a commercial success, and it grossed a worldwide total of $122.5 million, against a budget of $14.8 million. It received mostly mixed reviews from critics.

Awards & Achievements

Along with her fellow actors, Andie MacDowell won the Golden Globe Special Ensemble Cast Award for the movie 1993 movie ‘Shortcuts.’

Personal Life & Legacy

Andie MacDowell married Paul Qualley in 1986. They had a son and two daughters, Justin, Rainey and Sarah. The couple split up in 1999.

Later in 2001 she married her childhood friend Rhett Hartzog with whom she split up in 2004.

She got engaged to businessman Kevin Geagan in 2006. However, they split up later.

Andie MacDowell Biography