Written by: Lisa Chang

Gretchen Mol: The Actress Who Brought Gillian Darmody to Life

Gretchen Mol is an American actress known for her captivating performance as Gillian Darmody in the critically acclaimed HBO series Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014). With a career spanning over two decades, Mol has made a significant impact in the film and theater industry, showcasing her versatility and range as an actress.

Early Life and Education

Mol was born on November 8, 1972, in Deep River, Connecticut, to Janet (née Morgan), an artist and teacher, and her father, a teacher at RHAM High School. She grew up with a passion for the arts, encouraged by her family, and attended high school with Broadway actor Peter Lockyer, with whom she performed in school musicals and plays.

• She attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and graduated from the William Esper Studio.
• Before pursuing a full-time acting career, Mol took a job as an usher at the Angelika Film Center in New York, where she followed her brother, who was attending NYU film school.

Stage Career

Mol's acting career began in summer stock theatre in Vermont, where she played a variety of roles, including Godspell and 110 in the Shade. Her breakthrough role came when she played Jenny in Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things on stage in both London and New York in 2001.

• In 2004, Mol spent a year singing and dancing as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago.
• In 2014-2015, Mol played the role of Emily in the Broadway debut of Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Disgraced.

Film Career

Mol has appeared in over 30 feature films, showcasing her range and versatility as an actress. Some of her notable film credits include:

• Rounders (1998)
• Celebrity (1998)
• The Thirteenth Floor (1999)
• The Notorious Bettie Page (2005), where she played the title character
• 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
• Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Awards and Nominations

Mol has received critical acclaim for her performances, earning several award nominations, including:

• A Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Boardwalk Empire
• A Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Play for The Shape of Things

Personal Life

Mol is married to Tod Williams, a director and writer, and they have two sons together. Her brother, Jim Mol, is a director and editor in the film industry.

With a career marked by versatility and a passion for her craft, Gretchen Mol continues to captivate audiences with her performances, both on stage and screen.