Elizabeth Folan Gilpin, known as Betty Gilpin, was born in New York City on July 21, 1986. An accomplished American actress, she gained widespread recognition for her role as Debbie “Liberty Belle” Eagan in the Netflix comedy-drama series GLOW (2017–2019), which earned her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
A graduate of Fordham University, Gilpin has an impressive career in television and film, and she currently stars in the Peacock science fiction series Mrs. Davis. She is married to actor Cosmo Pfeil, and they have one child together.
Early Age
Betty Gilpin was born into a family deeply rooted in the performing arts. Her father, Jack Gilpin, is an actor and an Episcopal priest, and her mother, Ann McDonough, is also an actress.
Growing up in the Manhattan South Street Seaport neighborhood, Gilpin was surrounded by a creative and supportive environment. Her father is a first cousin of Drew Gilpin Faust, the former president of Harvard University, indicating a family lineage of notable achievements.
Education
Gilpin attended the Loomis Chaffee School, graduating in 2004.
She furthered her education at Fordham University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 2008. At Fordham, she studied under the acclaimed actress Dianne Wiest, who undoubtedly influenced her craft.
Career
Betty Gilpin began her acting career with guest roles in various television series, including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Fringe, Medium, and Elementary. Her breakthrough role came in 2013 when she was cast as Dr. Carrie Roman in the Showtime comedy-drama series Nurse Jackie. She played this role until the show’s conclusion in 2015.
Gilpin’s performance in GLOW from 2017 to 2019 brought her critical acclaim and several award nominations. She also appeared in numerous films, such as True Story (2015), Isn’t It Romantic (2019), A Dog’s Journey (2019), and The Hunt (2020), for which she won the Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie. The film The Hunt (2020) did stir some public debate due to its politically charged content. However, Gilpin’s performance was praised, and she received the Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie.
In addition to her screen roles, she has performed in off-Broadway productions, showcasing her versatility as an actress. In 2023, she starred in Mrs. Davis, earning critical acclaim for her performance.
Personal Life
She married actor Cosmo Pfeil in 2016 and welcomed their daughter in November 2020. Gilpin previously dated actor and musician Damon Daunno during her high school years at the Loomis Chaffee School.
I’m a passionate content writer with over five years of experience. My hobbies include binge-watching horror movies, reading novels, learning from YouTube, and exploring new places.