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Brenda Strong

Brenda Strong

Actor, also producer · Born March 25, 1960 (66) · Brightwood, Oregon, USA

Brenda Lee Strong is an American actress. She began her career in television, including guest starring appearances in Twin Peaks, Party of Five, Seinfeld, Scandal, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Blossom and Sports Night. She also starred as Mary Alice Young on Desperate Housewives.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 25, 1960 (66)
From
Brightwood, Oregon, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
68 on MovieCove · 100 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 64 days to Oct 27Down 49% in 30 days

What are Brenda Strong's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove 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
43%
Morality
22%
Self
13%
Survival
10%
Society
9%
Ideas
1%
Power
1%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFaith2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 5 · Dark 5

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 12 · Intense 2

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 5

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 11 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 11 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 6
Herald
1 of 6
Hero
1 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Warm
10
Hopeful
12
Melancholic
9
Absurd
4
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet11
  • Ambiguous6

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 Brenda Strong's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 57 of their 68 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Brenda Strong's titles on MovieCove; 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

100 credits, 68 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Rooster(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joanie

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Marshals(2026)

    Show 1 episode · as Samantha Clarkson

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Unprisoned(2023)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nadine Gregory

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Sweeter Than Chocolate(2023)

    as Helen Sweet

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • 61st Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Kim Pearson

  • Deported(2020)

    as Mrs. Becker

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • #3 Normandy Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • All Rise(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Jean Rubenstone-Frost

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Reign of the Supermen(2019)

    as Lillian Luthor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • 13 Reasons Why(2017)

    Show 22 episodes · Director · as Nora Walker

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Fallen(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Love by Chance(2016)

    as Helen Michaels

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Suzie Mankiewicz

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Ice Sculpture Christmas(2015)

    as Chef Gloria

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Leisure Class(2015)

    as Charlotte

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Supergirl(2015)

    Show 24 episodes · as Lillian Luthor

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Fear the Walking Dead(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ilene Stowe

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Teacher of the Year(2014)

    as Ellen Behr

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • I Did Not Forget You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer · Producer

  • The Mysteries of Laura(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Margot Preston

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago P.D.(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Attorney Green

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Dallas(2012)

    Show 40 episodes · as Ann Ewing

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Blood Relatives(2012)

    Show 65 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joan Reston

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Rizzoli & Isles(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mel Gaynor-Randle

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Paula

  • Ocean of Pearls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Mary Stewart

  • A Plumm Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Viv

  • The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided(2006)

    as Mary Ann Steed

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Help Me Help You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shark(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Olivia Hartnell

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Family in Hiding(2006)

    as Carol Peterson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Kid & I(2005)

    as Bonnie Roman

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Work and the Glory II: American Zion(2005)

    as Mary Ann Steed

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Senator Hayley Winters

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Work and the Glory(2004)

    as Mary Ann Steed

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Missing Brendan(2003)

    as Joyce Calden

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Judy Beacon

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 177 episodes · as Mary Alice Young

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation(2004)

    as Sgt. Dede Rake

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Going to the Mat(2004)

    as Patty Newfield

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Help (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 7 episodes · as Arlene Ridgeway

  • Exposed(2003)

    as Susan Andrews

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Lyon's Den (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Iris

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Bram & Alice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Red Dragon(2002)

    as Dinner Guest

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · as Julia Brown

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Kathy Jarrow

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Teddy Bears' Picnic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Jackie Sloane Chevron

  • The Michael Richards Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Beth

  • Full Disclosure(2000)

    as Dr. Helen Corey

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Flomm

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Leigh Sapien

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Eva

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Amelia

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Scandal of 1920 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Beatrice Kaufman

  • Get Real (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Olivia Clark

  • The Deep End of the Ocean(1999)

    as Ellen

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Undercurrent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Renee Rivera

  • Sports Night(1998)

    Show 7 episodes · as Sally Sasser

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Black Dog(1998)

    as Melanie

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Dawson's Creek(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Kay Liddell

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Get a Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Emily LaCrosse / Psychiatrist

  • Starship Troopers(1997)

    as Captain Deladier

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry Hill

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 8 episodes · as Mrs. Mackoul

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • The Craft(1996)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Miss Frost · as Mrs. Frost

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Party of Five(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · as Kathleen Isley

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Island City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Dr. Sammy Helding

  • My Life(1993)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Malice(1993)

    as Claudia

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Second Half (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Heather

  • The John Larroquette Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Christine Taylor

  • Grapevine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Allison

  • Stepfather 3(1992)

    as Lauren Sutliffe

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Beatrice Kaufman

  • Scorch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · as Allison King

  • Sibs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Naomi

  • Herman's Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Paige Holland

  • Blossom(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • People Like Us(1990)

    as Brenda Primrose

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 5 episodes · as Jones

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 5 episodes · as Sue Ellen Mischke

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Skin Deep(1989)

    as Real Estate Agent (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues(1987)

    as Desiree

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Rashella

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Spaceballs(1987)

    as Nurse

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Weekend Warriors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Danielle

  • Sledge Hammer!(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Jan Sinclair

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • MacGyver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Lila

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Nadine Aurora

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Vicki

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Miss America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Arizona 1980

  • Song of the Bigfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles, 98 of them dated from 1954 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

The Deep End of the Ocean (1999)

$28M worldwide

Highest rated

Desperate Housewives (2004)

Midcredits 81st

Film career

19542026

Peak 2015 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting97 of 99: 96 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndDirecting2 of 99: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleProducing2 of 99: 1 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1950s1 · acting1980s12 · acting1990s29 · acting2000s32 · acting2010s18 · 16 acting · 3 crew2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
9202

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 MovieCove, 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 Brenda Strong's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 30; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 68 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up26
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 68 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · producer

Fallen (2017)

92nd percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Twin Peaks (1990)

Midcredits 98th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; 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 MovieCove 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 Brenda Strong's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 39 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles16–61 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles40–82 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles27–66 · median 47 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Brenda Strong work with?

People who share at least 2 of Brenda Strong's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Gerald N. Lund shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers