GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- When she was a student at City High School Gillian Anderson, by her own admission, spent much of her time in a chair in the principal's office. It was one of the few times she was found sitting still.
At one time considering career paths that included archaeology and marine biology, Anderson made her home on the stage. Early success in local theater was followed by a successful audition for a place in DePaul University's Goodman School of Drama.
After graduation she did well enough to find work, but not enough. On the day her last unemployment check arrived she got a call for the job of FBI agent Dana Scully in a new TV series titled "The X-Files." While reluctant to do television, Anderson liked Scully's strong, independent character and made it her own, winning an Emmy for her efforts.
It wasn't long before she became a worldwide presence - in stage, film, television, books (as both writer and voice talent), radio, and even video games. She earned international awards and accolades, including her work for "The Crown," in which she played former British Prime Minister Maragret Thatcher. Her work in England also led to OBE (Order of the British Empire) status.
The mother of three, Anderson now lives in London. She is a strong supporter of numerous humanities initiatives, such as neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that claimed the life of her brother, as well as women's rights, children's rights, indigenous people's rights, reproductive freedom, and a number of environmental advocacy campaigns. And for the record, she's open-minded about the paranormal.
Story by GF Korreck
Sources: The Grand Rapids Press, March 17, 1991; Biography Today, January, 1997
Image: Martin Kraft; License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
