- Was a competitive and synchronized swimmer as a child and still swims to keep in shape.
- Went to the United Nations with Edward James Olmos. to raise profile of humanitarian concerns.
- The role of Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica (2004) was written with her in mind. She was the first actor offered the role by creator Ronald D. Moore.
- Plays the First Lady during a devastating attack by aliens in Independence Day (1996), and the President after a devastating attack by robots in Battlestar Galactica (2004).
- After graduation, she moved to New York City. While looking for acting work, she supported herself by selling Fuller brushes door to door in Rockefeller Center. In the classic struggling-actress tradition, she also worked as a waitress.
- Has taught acting classes with her husband, Randle Mell, even after being nominated for an Academy Award.
- Twice played alongside a non-human named Boomer; a dog in Independence Day (1996) and a Cylon in Battlestar Galactica (2004).
- Gave birth to her 1st child at age 35, a daughter Olivia Mell on October 4, 1987. Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 42, a son, Michael Elliott Mell, on August 26, 1994. She shares them with her husband Randle Mell.
- Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1990" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 42.
- Was offered the part of May-Alice Culhane in Passion Fish (1992) before it was even written.
- Was a cast member of the medical drama E/R (1984) and also had a recurring role on the 1990s medical drama of nearly the same name, ER (1994).
- Has appeared in four films with Alfre Woodard: Grand Canyon (1991), Passion Fish (1992), Blue Chips (1994) and Mumford (1999).
- Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, McDonnell and her family lived for a time just outside Philadelphia in Upper Merion Township, where she attended Port Kennedy Kindergarten, 1957-58. The family then moved to Ithaca, New York. McDonnell attended Attended Fredonia State University (SUNY-Fredonia).
- Has been a huge fan of Vanessa Redgrave since the 1970s.
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