A cool, classic beauty with a vibrant blonde mane and an exuberant flair for the dramatic, Virginia Madsen is one of Hollywoods most versatile and unique actresses. Not only did she receive amazing reviews for her Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated performance in Alexander Paynes hit film “Sideways,” but this Independent Spirit Award-winning actress has an illustrious resume of roles alongside the most notable and respected actors in the business.

This past year, Madsen filmed AMCs “Hell on Wheels” and the independent feature “The Wilderness of James,” the NBC pilot “Hatfields & McCoys,” and also starred in the feature, “The Magic of Belle Isle,” directed by Rob Reiner, opposite Morgan Freeman. She also recently starred in the independent features “The Hot Flashes,” alongside Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah and Wanda Sykes; “Crazy Kind of Love” and TNTs “Hornets Nest.” Madsens other films include starring roles opposite Harrison Ford in the action thriller “Firewall,” Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline in Robert Altmans last film, “A Prairie Home Companion,” and Forest Whitaker in the existential drama “The Ripple Effect.” She also starred opposite Jim Carrey in New Lines 2007 psychological thriller “The Number 23,” directed by Joel Schumacher.

Madsen lives in Los Angeles with her teenage son. Her mother is the Emmy Award-winning Elaine Madsen, and her brother is the gifted actor, Michael Madsen.