Debra Mooney portrayed Supreme Court Justice Verna Thornton on ABC's Scandal.
About[]
Debra Mooney (born August 28, 1947) is an American character actress, best known for her role as Edna Harper on The WB drama series Everwood (2002-2006).
Brief Background[]
She was born Debra Vick, the daughter of Isabel Smith and Harvey M. Vick.
Debra is married to Porter Van Zandt, a well-known stage producer and director. Their daughter, Kristin Mooney, works in the art department on many major feature films.
Career Background[]
She best known for her role as Edna Harper from the WB TV series Everwood.
She also has appeared in the many stage production and played roles of over 80 films and TV shows. Her notable film credits include Chapter Two opposite Marsha Mason, and Tootsie, Dead Poets Society and Domestic Disturbance. On television she also starred of short-lived series Dream Street, Davis Rules and Kirk. Mooney guest-starred on the Roseanne, ER, Everybody Loves Raymond, Grey's Anatomy as Owen Hunt's mother, Bones and Weeds.
From 2012 to 2013, Mooney played the role of Supreme Court Justice Verna Thornton in the second season of ABC drama series Scandal created by Shonda Rhimes. Also in 2014, she had the recurring role in the Netflix comedy series, Arrested Development. In 2014, Mooney joined the cast of The CW series, The Originals in a recurring role as Werewolf Matriarch. In 2016, she was cast in the ABC drama pilot The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez, starring Gina Torres in a title role, with Eric Close, Melora Hardin, and Christina Pickles.
TV Recurring Roles[]
- Shelby Keene on Weeds (2011)
- Ms. Hunt on Grey's Anatomy (2009-2010)
- Judge Patrice Webb on Boston Legal (2007-2008)
- Elaine Donahue on The Closer (2006)
- Edna Harper on Everwood (2002-2006)
- Judge P. Spindle on The Practice (2000-2003)
- Lee on Everybody Loves Raymond (2002-2003)
- Leila Morgan on ER (1999)
- Sally on Kirk (1995-1996)
- Mrs. Rush on Davis Rules (1991-1992)
- Mrs. Wellman on Rosanne (1990)
- Lillian DeBeau on Dream Street (1989)
TV Guest Roles[]
- Theresa on The Neighbors (2012)
- Lydia Bibb on The Mentalist (2011)
- Allison Rose on Bones (2011)
- Maureen on Hawthorne (2010)
- Betty Sue Baker '89 on Cold Case (2008)
- Calista Cod on Pushing Daisies (2008)
- Sylvie on Private Practice (2007)
- Ruth Washington on Joan of Arcadia (2004)
- Marjorie Landsdown on Judging Amy (2001)
- Sister Robert on Will & Grace (2000)
- Ellen Gelman on Just Shoot Me! (2000)
- Mrs. Shaw on Touched by an Angel (1996)
- Sister Dorothea on Mad About You (1995)
- Gloria Metzler on Party of Five (1995)
- Mrs. Sweddler on Seinfeld (1993)
Film Roles[]
- Sister Theresa in The Last Godfather (2010)
- Theresa in Domestic Disturbance (2001)
- Additional Voice in Anastasia (1997)
- Mrs. Anderson in Society (1989)
- Mrs. Mallory in Tootsie (1982)
Theatrical Roles[]
- Mary Phillips in Getting and Spending (1998)
- Esther Franz in The Price (1992)
- Mickey in The Odd Couple (1985)
- Sally Talley in Talley's Folly (1980)
- Faye Medwick / Jennie Malone in Chapter Two (1977)
Trivia[]
- She was nominated in 1975 for a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play for her performance in The Farm at the Academy Festival Theatre in Chicago, Illinois