Merrin Dungey

Dungey was born in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Don Dungey, a general services manager.[1] As a child, she was active in ballet and dance as well as piano. Dungey was also an accomplished ice skater. Dungey graduated in 1989 from Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California. She earned a degree of Bachelor of Arts from UCLA. She was the youngest recipient of the UCLA Acting Award.

Dungey is best-known for her role as Francie Calfo on the successful television drama Alias, which she played from 2001 to 2003, and reprised in a surprise appearance in the series finale episode All the Time in the World.

Dungey has also appeared in the television series The King of Queens (1998-2007) and Summerland (2004 - 2005), as well as Kitty Kernaban, Stevie's mother, in Malcolm in the Middle and an appearance at the beginning of Season One of NBCs The West Wing.

Dungey has also guest starred on various TV series including: Martin, Living Single, ER, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Friends as a wedding planner, The West Wing and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In March 2007, it was announced that Dungey would be part of the cast of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff titled Private Practice, starring alongside Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery.[3] She appeared in the initial two-hour preview special, but, for creative reasons, she was replaced by Tony Award winner Audra McDonald for the actual series.