| Megan Gallagher | |
| Birth Date: | February 6, 1960 |
| Birth Place: | Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years Active: | 1984–present |
| Spouse: | Jeff Yagher |
| Children: | 2 |
Megan Gallagher (born February 6, 1960) is an American theater and television actress. Having studied at the Juilliard School under the supervision of John Houseman, Gallagher began her career on stage, and has appeared in several Broadway theatre productions, winning a Theatre World Award for her role in A Few Good Men.
From there, Gallagher moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting in film and television; after making a screen debut in George Washington, she graduated to recurring roles in Hill Street Blues and China Beach, and starring roles in The Slap Maxwell Story, The Larry Sanders Show and Millennium. The role of Catherine Black in that series had been written with Gallagher in mind.
Gallagher was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1960, to Aileen and Donald Gallagher.[1] She was the fifth of six children. Her mother had also been an actor in her youth, retiring when she began a family. Gallagher credits her own career to her mother, who would take her to Broadway theatre productions as a child. She has also cited Mary Tyler Moore and Katharine Hepburn as influences on her career. She attended Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School, where she elected not to attend her high school prom in order to continue her rehearsals at a local community theatre, Genesius Theatre.[2]
Gallagher moved to New York City to study acting at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of John Houseman.[3] [4] She then relocated to Los Angeles.
Gallagher began her career on stage, appearing in a production of Paul Osborn Oliver Oliver before being cast in the 1989 Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. Her portrayal of LCDR JoAnne Galloway in the latter production earned her a Theatre World Award,[5] and an Outer Critics Circle Award.[6] In 1993, she took part in Broadway productions of both parts of Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes—Millennium Approaches and Perestroika.[7]
Gallagher's television debut was in the miniseries George Washington.[8] She gained the lead role in the pilot At Your Service, and a guest spot in the first episode of L.A. Law.[2] She then went on to appear as a series regular towards the end of Hill Street Blues run,[3] before going on to play a recurring role in China Beach; she still maintains a friendship with China Beach co-star Robert Picardo. Gallagher's role of Catherine Black in Millennium had been written by creator Chris Carter with her in mind specifically, as he had been impressed with her work as Jeannie Sanders on The Larry Sanders Show. Gallagher was also keen to work with Carter, having admired his creation of the character Dana Scully for The X-Files, whom she saw as a positive example of an intriguing female character on television. Gallagher also appeared in the legal drama Suits, acting alongside her Juilliard classmate Wendell Pierce.
Gallagher is married to actor Jeff Yagher,[9] and has two children, a pair of twins.[10] She is related by marriage to actress Catherine Hicks and make-up artist Kevin Yagher.[9]
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Ambulance | Sandra Malloy |
| 1991 | In a Strangers Hand | Laura McKillin |
| 1995 | Breaking Free | Annie Sobel |
| 1996 | Crosscut | Annie Hennessey |
| 2001 | Blind Obsession | Rebecca Rose |
| 2002 | Contagion | Dr. Diane Landis |
| 2002 | Van Wilder | Holyoake Hottie |
| 2003 | Inhabited | Meg Russel |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | 40s Woman |
| 2011 | Alyce Kills | Ginny |
| 2015 | Get a Job | Abbey |
| Year | Title | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sins of the Past | Ellen Easton | |
| 1984 | George Washington | Peggy Shippen | |
| 1986 | L.A. Law | Leslie Aaron | |
| 1986 | Hill Street Blues | Tina Russo | |
| 1987 | The Slap Maxwell Story | Judy Ralston | |
| 1989 | Champagne Charlie | Pauline | |
| 1989 | China Beach | Wayloo Marie Holmes | |
| 1991 | Law & Order | Monica Devries | |
| 1991 | Blossom | Arlene | |
| 1991 | Pacific Station | Sandy Calloway | |
| 1991 | ...And then She Was Gone | Laura McKillin | |
| 1992 | The Larry Sanders Show | Jeannie Sanders | |
| 1993 | Picket Fences | Sydney Hall | |
| 1993 | Empty Nest | Heather Cook | |
| 1993 | Nurse Garland / Mareel | ||
| 1995 | Nowhere Man | Alyson Veil | |
| 1996 | ER | Kathy Snyder | |
| 1996 | Millennium | Catherine Black | |
| 1998 | The Christmas Takeover | Elyse Madison | |
| 1999 | The Outer Limits | Terry Russo | |
| 1999 | Lethal Vows | Lorraine Farris | |
| 2000 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Carrie | |
| 2000 | Lt. Jaryn | ||
| 2001 | Family Law | Jamie Washington | |
| 2002 | Without a Trace | Mrs. Freedman | |
| 2003 | The District | Dr. Cherry | |
| 2003 | 1st to Die | Jill Barnhart | |
| 2004 | Life as We Know It | Leslie Miller | |
| 2006 | 7th Heaven | Rose's Mom | |
| 2007 | 24 | Jillian Wallace | |
| 2010 | The Mentalist | May Nelson | |
| 2013 | Suits | Laura Zane | |
| 2017 | Double Mommy | Tricia Bell | |
| 2017 | Designated Survivor | Alice Rowland |