CONNIE BRITTON

Actress ⎮ United States

Biography

After stand-out roles on series such as Spin City, 24, and The West Wing, Connie Britton starred in one of the best reviewed shows on TV, Friday Night Lights. In 2012, she starred in Nashville, earning her first Golden Globe nomination and fourth Emmy nomination. She has also teamed up with Ryan Murphy in the first season of American Horror Story, receiving another Emmy Nomination, and in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. She was most recently seen in Mike White satirical limited-series, The White Lotus, and Dirty John, where she also served as an executive producer and has earned a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nomination for the role.

It is humbling to be receiving the Variety Icon Award, when I have in fact been influenced by so many iconic women around me throughout my life, and my personal goal has always been to reflect women back to themselves so perhaps they know themselves more deeply, more clearly, more powerfully. It is hard to think of myself in relation to the term “icon” since I feel as though the women around me - whatever their stories are, flaws are, dreams are, journeys are - stand as my inspiration and exploration. I’m just getting started, still learning so much about people, women, and the diverse worlds in which we live!

So thank you CANNESERIES. Thank you Variety. For reflecting me back to myself. And in so doing, honoring the enchanted lifelines of each character, each woman I’ve had the privilege to play, and encouraging me further to stay the course, and walk side by side with as many as I can to keep telling stories with humanity and honesty. And most importantly, to celebrate every woman and her power.

"The acting ensemble in HBO's breakout hit The White Lotus includes the multiple Emmy-nominated Connie Britton, who once again proves her versatility and creative courage. Celebrated for and essential to the success of acclaimed programs including Dirty John, Nashville, Friday Night Lights, Britton's Nicole Mossbacher is another deep and layered performance. Britton again draws us in with her deft, subtle ability to communicate the contradictions of a powerful, brilliant businesswoman who finds herself all alone inside her career and her own family and marriage," said Steven Gaydos, senior vice president, global content and executive editor, Variety.