Now the recipient of two SAG Awards, a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series, Gillian Anderson's first big break came when she was cast in a starring role in FOX's THE X-FILES in September 1993.

Earlier, Anderson had gained recognition as an actress for her off-Broadway performance in Alan Ayckborne's "Absent Friends" at the Manhattan Theater Club, for which she won a Theatre World Award. She also appeared in Christopher Hampton's "The Philanthropist" at the Long Wharf Theater.

Her love of theater began in high school, when she participated in community theater productions. Later, Anderson studied with the National Theatre of Great Britain at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and then at the Goodman Theater School at Chicago's DePaul University, where she obtained her B.F.A. degree.

Anderson's feature film credits include the soon-to-be-released films "Freak the Mighty" and "Hellcab." In addition, she has recently completed production on the first feature film version of "The X-Files."

Anderson has a 3 year old daughter, Piper, with her ex-husband, Clyde Koltz. She resides in both Vancouver and Los Angeles.