Holland Taylor

Biography

Holland Virginia Taylor, born on January 14, 1943, is a distinguished American actress celebrated for her versatile performances across television and film. She garnered critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999 for her compelling role as Judge Roberta Kittleson in ABC's legal drama, The Practice, which aired from 1998 to 2003. Taylor is perhaps best known for her role as the sharp-witted Evelyn Harper on CBS's hit sitcom Two and a Half Men (2003–2015), a portrayal that earned her four additional Primetime Emmy nominations.

Her television career boasts a range of memorable performances, including roles in the sitcoms Bosom Buddies (1980–1982), The Powers That Be (1992–1993), and The Naked Truth (1995–1998). Taylor also appeared in notable series such as All My Children (1981–1983) as Jill Ollinger, Peggy Peabody in The L Word (2004–2008), and Ida Silver in Mr. Mercedes (2017–2019). In 2020, she received her eighth Emmy nomination for her captivating portrayal of Ellen Kincaid in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood.

On the big screen, Taylor has appeared in a variety of films, including Romancing the Stone (1984), Legally Blonde (2001), and Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020). Additionally, she created and performed in the one-woman show Ann, inspired by the life of Ann Richards, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress.