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.
Early life and education Gallagher was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1960, to Aileen and Donald Gallagher. 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.
Gallagher moved to New York City to study acting at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of John Houseman. She then relocated to Los Angeles.
Career 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, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. 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.
Gallagher's television debut was in the miniseries George Washington. She gained the lead role in the pilot At Your Service, and a guest spot in the first episode of L.A. Law. She then went on to appear as a series regular towards the end of Hill Street Blues run followed by a series regular role on The Slap Maxwell Story before going on to become a series regular in the second season of 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.
Personal life Gallagher is married to actor Jeff Yagher, and has two children, who are twins. She is related by marriage to actress Catherine Hicks and make-up artist Kevin Yagher.
Filmography Film 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 2017 Last Rampage Mrs. Cooper
Television 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 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 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 Star Trek: Voyager 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 2017Designated SurvivorAlice Rowland
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