Raised in Texas and New Mexico in a Quaker family.
Aspired to be an actress from age 5 and began acting at a children's theater in Albuquerque at a young age, but didn't make her professional acting debut until she was in her thirties.
Originated the role of May in Sam Shepard's 1983 play Fool for Love, which also starred Ed Harris. She won an Obie for her performance.