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Mary Mara

Mary Mara

Actor · Died June 27, 2022, aged 61 · Syracuse, New York, USA

Mary T. Mara (September 21, 1960 – June 26, 2022) was an American television and film actress. She is known for her main role as Inspector Bryn Carson on Nash Bridges and appearances on primetime dramas ER and Law & Order. Mara's film credits include Blue Steel (1990), Mr. Saturday Night (1992), Love Potion No. 9 (1992), Bound (1996), K-PAX (2001), and Gridiron Gang (2006).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 21, 1960
Died
June 27, 2022 (aged 61)
From
Syracuse, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
45 on Motif · 62 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Down 11% in 30 days

What are Mary Mara's films like?

Across their 14 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
27%
Morality
21%
Self
14%
Society
14%
Survival
13%
Power
8%
Ideas
4%
Romantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 7 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
7
Contemplative
3
Thrilling
3
Hopeful
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Hopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mary Mara's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 45 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mary Mara's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

62 credits, 45 with a Motif page.

  • Break Even(2020)

    as Molly

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Secrets and Lies(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Barfly

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Ray Donovan(2013)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mrs. Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Shameless(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nance

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Krentz

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Prom Night(2008)

    as Ms. Waters

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Saving Grace(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Zoe

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Dexter(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as Valerie Hodges

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Gridiron Gang(2006)

    as Kenny Bates' Mom

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Swedish Auto(2006)

    as Pam

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Undoing(2006)

    as Kasawa

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Judith Anderson

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Bronson

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Moondance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    as Linda Davenport

  • Lost(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jill

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Joan of Arcadia (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah Polonski

  • The Handler (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Natalie Holden

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Saint Sinner (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Munkar

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Corcoran

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Theresa Crane

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • K-PAX(2001)

    as Abby

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Enterprise(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sphere-Builder Presage

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Guardian(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Alison Scanlon

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Denise Tremaine

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Stranger Inside (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Tanya

  • Lloyd (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as JoAnn

  • Boston Public (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Pauline Campbell

  • Gideon's Crossing (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane Lefkowitz

  • The Huntress (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Switched at Birth(1999)

    as Judy

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Miss Jansen

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Sherri Wexler

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlene Ballentine

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Judging Amy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Deborah Mahaffey

  • Farscape(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lyneea

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • A Civil Action(1998)

    as Kathy Boyer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Becker (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Beth

  • Rude Awakening (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Zimmerman

  • The Visitor (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Magnolia Vale

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Julie Stall

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Spicy City (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Alice (voice) · as Alice / Geisha (voice)

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Jane Lefkowitz

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • What Kind of Mother Are You? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Marcy Hackman

  • Profiler (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Atkins

  • Bound(1996)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Nurse #2

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 24 episodes · as Bryn Carson

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • In the Blink of an Eye(1996)

    as Christie

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Hope and Gloria (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Jennifer

  • Just Looking(1995)

    as Alicia

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 9 episodes · as Loretta Sweet

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Linda Walker · as Theresa Carlin

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Love Potion No. 9(1992)

    as Marisa

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Mr. Saturday Night(1992)

    as Susan

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Empire City(1992)

    as Nancy Kraus

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Out of the Rain(1991)

    as Trisha

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • True Colors(1991)

    as Sophia Palmeri

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Hard Way(1991)

    as China

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Defense Attorney Sally Knight · as Defense Attorney Sharkey

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Blue Steel(1990)

    as Wife

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Preppie Murder(1989)

    as Susan Bird

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles from 1989 to 2020; peak year 1991.

Biggest box office

The Hard Way (1991)

$66M worldwide

Highest rated

Bound (1996)

Midcredits 92nd

Film career

19892020

Peak 1991 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 61: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score76th

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s31 · acting2000s25 · acting2010s3 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
9095

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Mary Mara's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 45 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 45 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved12
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Undoing (2006)

97th percentile spread · 54% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Dexter (2006)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mary Mara's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 73 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 85 · severeMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 57 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Mary Mara work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mary Mara's Motif titles; Luis Guzmán shares the most, 2.