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Gillian Anderson - Biography

The actress rose to fame playing Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files 


gillian anderson bafta© Photo: Getty Images
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
Updated: November 16, 2023
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Gillian Anderson's early life

Gillian Anderson was born in Chicago in August 1968, two years before her parents relocated to London. Nine years later the family moved back to the US, where they settled in Michigan. 

Gillian Anderson's acting career

At the age of 24, Gillian rose to fame portraying Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, a role that won her a Golden Globe and an Emmy.

After the show came to an end, Gillian went on to play Lily Bart in turn-of-the-century drama The House Of Mirth and Lady Dedlock in the BBC's Dickens adaptation Bleak House in 2005. She also starred in small, independent movies like The Mighty Celt and The Last King Of Scotland.

Since then, the actress has featured in a number of major dramas, including The Fall, Sex Education, The Crown, and The Great. 

Gillian Anderson's personal life 

In 1994, Gillian tied the knot with Clyde Klotz, an X-Files assistant art director. The couple went on to welcome a daughter named Piper in September that year. 

The couple divorced in 1997, and Gillian later moved on with journalist Julian Ozanne, whom she wed in December 2004. Their separation was announced in 2006.

The actress went on to meet businessman Mark Griffiths, with whom she welcomed two children: Oscar, born November 2006 and Felix, born October 2008. Their relationship ended in 2012.

From 2016 to December 2020, Gillian was in a relationship with screenwriter and dramatist Peter Morgan. The pair were later spotted walking hand-in-hand in 2023. 

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