Clea DuVall
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Clea Helen D'Etienne DuVall (born September 25, 1977) is an American actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. She rose to prominence in the late 1990s with supporting roles in The Faculty (1998), But I'm a Cheerleader, and Girl, Interrupted (both 1999). Subsequent film credits include Ghosts of Mars (2001), Identity, 21 Grams (both 2003), The Grudge (2004), Zodiac (2007), and Argo (2012).
On television, DuVall has appeared in recurring and regular roles on series such as Carnivàle (2003–2005), Heroes (2006–2007), American Horror Story (2012–2013), The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015), Better Call Saul (2015–2017), Veep (2016–2019), and The Handmaid's Tale (2018–2022). She also voiced Elsa in the animated sitcom HouseBroken (2021–2023), which she co-created.
DuVall's directorial work includes the comedy features The Intervention (2016) and Happiest Season (2020). She also created, wrote, and executive produced the coming-of-age drama series High School (2022).
Early life
DuVall was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="Tribute_Bio" /> Her forename derives from the novel Clea by Lawrence Durrell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She worked in a coffee shop as a teenager and studied at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Career
1996–2000: Career beginnings
DuVall made her screen debut in the low-budget horror film Little Witches (1996). This was followed by small parts in several independent features, as well as guest appearances on ER and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (both 1997). Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she starred in Robert Rodriguez's sci-fi horror film The Faculty, receiving positive reviews for her portrayal of Stokely "Stokes" Mitchell, a goth high school student.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Also that year, she had a supporting role in the teen comedy Can't Hardly Wait, which later developed a cult following.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
DuVall had roles in several films released in 1999, including the biographical drama Girl, Interrupted, where she appeared as compulsive liar Georgina Tuskin; teen romantic comedy She's All That, which opened atop the U.S. box office;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the independent features Wildflowers and But I'm a Cheerleader. The latter, a satirical comedy in which she played a lesbian undergoing conversion therapy, is often cited as a favorite among fans of LGBTQ cinema.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For her work in Wildflowers, a drama about a 17-year-old intent on finding her birth mother, DuVall received rave reviews,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with Barry Johnson noting in his appraisal for The Austin Chronicle, "[she] has those deep, round, chestnut eyes that convey years of experience with a solitary glance ... [she] always seems to capture that unique blend of wisdom and naiveté ... [here she] takes center stage in an impressive, nuanced performance that makes use of [her] magnetic screen presence".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2001–2015: Film and television roles
DuVall played supporting roles in a variety of features throughout the early 2000s, such as Ghosts of Mars (2001), a space Western directed by John Carpenter; ensemble drama Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001); The Laramie Project (2002), a documentary-style dramatisation of the murder of Matthew Shepard; coming-of-age sports drama The Slaughter Rule (2002); the James Mangold–directed mystery thriller Identity (2003); and the psychological crime drama 21 Grams (2003), the critically acclaimed English-language debut of Alejandro González Iñárritu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
DuVall appeared as a series regular on the HBO drama series Carnivàle from 2003 to 2005, with the Los Angeles Times pointing out that her portrayal of tarot card reader Sophie was "especially good".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She also starred in the television film Helter Skelter (2004) during that period, earning a Satellite Award nomination for her portrayal of real-life cult member Linda Kasabian; and in the hit horror film The Grudge (2004), which grossed US$187Template:Nbspmillion at the box office.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Subsequent credits included guest appearances on CSI (2005), Lie to Me (2009), Numb3rs, Bones, and Law & Order (all 2010), as well as key parts in films such as David Fincher's Zodiac (2007)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the recurring role of Audrey Hanson on the NBC sci-fi series Heroes (2006–2007).
Following appearances in Anamorph (2007) and Passengers (2008) and a small part in the legal drama Conviction (2010), DuVall co-starred in Ben Affleck's Argo (2012), a political thriller based on the Iran hostage crisis of 1979–1981. For her portrayal of Cora Amburn-Lijek, one of the six American diplomats rescued from Iran in 1980, DuVall was awarded—alongside her co-stars—the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Also in 2012, she appeared in the recurring role of Wendy Peyser on the second season of the FX anthology series American Horror Story.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Writing for Slate, Alyssa Rosenberg said of her work in the latter projects, "Where DuVall often played strong, even aggressive characters in the past, in both American Horror Story and Argo, she's turned in good performances by playing deeply vulnerable people trying to be strong in threatening circumstances".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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DuVall starred as Emma Borden, sister of Lizzie Borden—played by Christina Ricci—in the Lifetime television film Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (2014), reprising the role for the limited series The Lizzie Borden Chronicles the following year. The show received mixed reviews, but critics praised the performances of Ricci and DuVall; writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Keith Uhlich said the actresses "have a delectable rapport not too far removed from Bette Davis and Joan Crawford at their hag-horror peak in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since 2016: Directorial debut and subsequent work
DuVall made her feature directorial debut with The Intervention (2016), which she also wrote, starred in, and produced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Acquired by Paramount Pictures after its premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival,<ref name="deadline">Template:Cite web</ref> the comedy-drama was positively reviewed; Andy Webster of The New York Times noted that "DuVall juggles the emotional dynamics with fluid editing and light comic touches".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same year, she starred in the independent features Zen Dogs and Heaven's Floor, and guest-starred in three episodes of AMC's Better Call Saul.
Between 2016 and 2019, DuVall played Marjorie Palmiotti on HBO's political satire series Veep, for which she was twice nominated—alongside her co-stars—for the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, winning in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> She also starred in the independent dramedy All About Nina (2018) and portrayed Sylvia in five episodes of the dystopian Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale (2018–2022), with Judy Berman of Time calling it "the best work of [DuVall's career]".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
DuVall wrote and directed the 2020 romcom Happiest Season,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which premiered on Hulu to a positive critical reception,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> later winning the 2021 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her next project—as creator, writer, director, and executive producer—was the coming-of-age drama series High School, which ran for a single season on Amazon Freevee.<ref>Template:Cite Rotten Tomatoes</ref> Rolling Stone named it one of the best shows of 2022,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> writing in their review, "[DuVall captures] the thrilling, horrifying, profoundly uncomfortable experience of adolescence".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She earned additional praise that year for her portrayal of Malvina "Tommy" Thompson, personal aide to Eleanor Roosevelt, in the Showtime drama series The First Lady.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
DuVall's performance in a 2023 episode of the Peacock murder mystery series Poker Face was particularly well received.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She returned to direct an episode of the show in 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
DuVall is a lesbian.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She came out to close relations when she was 16, publicly coming out in 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> DuVall has said that she was "very closeted" while making But I'm a Cheerleader.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She is close friends with Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne, with whom she worked on Cheerleader and The Intervention.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> DuVall is married and lives in Los Angeles.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Little Witches | Kelsey | |
| 1997 | The Alarmist | Suzy | |
| Niagara, Niagara | Convenience store clerk | ||
| 1998 | How to Make the Cruelest Month | Bell Bryant | |
| Girl | Gillian | ||
| Can't Hardly Wait | Jana | ||
| The Faculty | Stokely "Stokes" Mitchell | ||
| 1999 | A Slipping-Down Life | Nurse | |
| She's All That | Misty | ||
| Wildflowers | Cally | ||
| Sleeping Beauties | Clea | Short film | |
| The Astronaut's Wife | Nan | ||
| But I'm a Cheerleader | Graham Eaton | ||
| Girl, Interrupted | Georgina Tuskin | ||
| 2000 | Committed | Mimi | |
| 2001 | See Jane Run | Jane Whittaker | |
| Ghosts of Mars | Bashira Kincaid | ||
| Thirteen Conversations About One Thing | Bea | ||
| How to Make a Monster | Laura Wheeler | ||
| 2002 | The Slaughter Rule | Skyla Sisco | |
| 2003 | Identity | Ginny Isiana | |
| 21 Grams | Claudia | ||
| 2004 | The Grudge | Jennifer Williams | |
| 2005 | Two Weeks | Katrina | |
| 2006 | Champions | Billy | |
| 2007 | Zodiac | Linda Del Buono | |
| Ten Inch Hero | Jen | ||
| Itty Bitty Titty Committee | Singer | ||
| Anamorph | Sandy Strickland | ||
| 2008 | Passengers | Shannon | |
| 2009 | The Killing Room | Kerry Isalano | |
| 2010 | Conviction | Brenda Marsh | |
| 2012 | Argo | Cora Amburn-Lijek | |
| 2013 | Armed Response | Lena | Also executive producer |
| 2014 | Jackie & Ryan | Virginia | |
| Zen Dog | Marlene Meeks | ||
| 2015 | Ma/ddy | Dana | |
| Addicted to Fresno | Regina | ||
| 2016 | The Intervention | Jessie | Also writer, director, and executive producer |
| Heaven's Floor | Julia | ||
| 2018 | All About Nina | Paula | |
| 2020 | Happiest Season | Template:N/a | Co-writer and director only |
| 2025 | Swiped | Charlotte |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Dangerous Minds | Nina | Episode: "Evolution" |
| 1997 | ER | Katy Reed | 2 episodes |
| Crisis Center | Laura Thomas | Episode: "Where Truth Lies" | |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Marcie Ross | Episode: "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" | |
| On the Edge of Innocence | Ann | Television film | |
| The Defenders: Payback | Jessica Lane | Television film | |
| 2000 | Popular | Wanda Rickets | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | The Fugitive | Lynette Hennessy | 2 episodes |
| How to Make a Monster | Laura | Television film | |
| 2002 | The Laramie Project | Amanda Gronich | Television film |
| 2003–2005 | Carnivàle | Sofie Agnesh Bojakshiya | Main role |
| 2004 | Helter Skelter | Linda Kasabian | Television film |
| 2005 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Abigail Spencer | Episode: "Shooting Stars" |
| Fathers and Sons | Laura | Television film; uncredited | |
| 2006–2007 | Heroes | Audrey Hanson | Recurring role |
| 2008 | Grey's Anatomy | Jennifer Robinson | 2 episodes |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Mia Latimer | Episode: "Persona" | |
| The Watch | Cassie | Television film | |
| 2009 | Virtuality | Sue Parsons | Television film |
| Saving Grace | Maura Darrell | Episode: "Looks Like a Lesbian Attack to Me" | |
| Lie to Me | Michelle Russell | Episode: "Blinded" | |
| 2010 | Private Practice | Natasha | Episode: "Fear of Flying" |
| Bones | McKenna Grant | Episode: "The Bones on the Blue Line" | |
| Numb3rs | Melanie Bailey | Episode: "Devil Girl" | |
| Law & Order | Amanda Green | Episode: "The Taxman Cometh" | |
| 2010–2011 | The Event | Maya | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | CSI: Miami | Lyla Moore | Episode: "About Face" |
| And Baby Will Fall | Melinda White | Television film | |
| 2012–2013 | American Horror Story: Asylum | Wendy Peyser | 5 episodes |
| 2014 | The Newsroom | Lilly Hart | 2 episodes |
| Lizzie Borden Took an Ax | Emma Borden | Television film | |
| 2015 | The Lizzie Borden Chronicles | Main role | |
| 2015–2017 | Better Call Saul | Lara Cruz | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Brooklyn Animal Control | Madeleine Holmlund | Unsold pilot |
| New Girl | Camilla | Episode: "Wig" | |
| 2016–2019 | Veep | Marjorie Palmiotti | Recurring role (seasons 5–6); main role (season 7) |
| 2018 | Take My Wife | Audience Member | Episode #2.3 |
| The Romanoffs | Patricia Callahan | Episode: "End of the Line" | |
| 2018–2022 | The Handmaid's Tale | Sylvia | 5 episodes |
| 2019 | Broad City | Lesley Marnel | 3 episodes |
| Looking for Alaska | Template:N/a | Director only; episode: "I'll Show You That It Won't Shoot" | |
| 2021–2023 | HouseBroken | Elsa (voice) | Also co-creator, executive producer, and writer |
| 2021 | Q-Force | (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | The First Lady | Malvina "Tommy" Thompson | Recurring role |
| High School | Template:N/a | Creator, director, and writer only | |
| 2023 | Poker Face | Emily Cale | Episode: "The Hook" |
| 2025 | Template:N/a | Director only; episode: "The Big Pump" |
Accolades
See also
- List of female film and television directors
- List of lesbian filmmakers
- List of LGBT-related films directed by women
References
External links
- 1977 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- American film actresses
- American television actresses
- American women film directors
- American lesbian actresses
- American lesbian artists
- American LGBTQ film directors
- LGBTQ people from California
- Actresses from Los Angeles
- LGBTQ television directors
- 21st-century American LGBTQ people
- American women television directors
- American television directors
- American people of French descent