Early Life of Hope Davis

Acclaimed actress Hope Davis has performed on stage and screen for several decades. Her early experiences in acting, playwriting and dancing sowed the seeds of her future success.

A childhood in the arts

Hope Davis was born on March 23, 1964 in Englewood, New Jersey. Her mother worked as a librarian and her father as an engineer. Living in close proximity to New York City, Davis and her family enjoyed trips to the ballet and other artistic events.

A young playwright discovers her passion

Collaborating on playwriting with her childhood friend, Mira Sorvino, Davis discovered how much she enjoyed performing for her neighbors. She continued to fuel her passion for the stage as a teenager by studying dance at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School.

Resuming her place on the stage

In 1986, Davis graduated from Vassar College with a degree in cognitive science. Although she was considering work in brain research, playing the role of an elderly Holocaust survivor in a school play encouraged her to pursue an acting career. With the help of former husband Ford Evanson and other friends, Davis launched a theater group that performed in the basement of a Chicago suburb.

Her big break

After just a few years on the Chicago theater scene, Davis earned critical acclaim for her phenomenal performance in 1989 with David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow." In 1990, she made a name for herself with her supporting role in Flatliners.

While fans might know her today as Hillary Clinton in the 2010 HBO/BBC feature "The Special Relationship," Davis began as a young girl with a dream of entertaining friends and family in her suburban backyard. Her groundbreaking performances over the past twenty years started with humble beginnings and tireless dedication.