It hasn’t been an easy ride for Margo Martindale, but her determination and talent have certainly paid off. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Texas, Margo didn’t land her first movie role until she was 38 years old in the 1990 film Days of Thunder. However, her unshakable confidence and memorable performances kept her going strong. Margo, now 68, shares with Closer in an exclusive interview, “I’ve always believed in myself, even when others didn’t. If I didn’t get a role, I’d tell myself it was because I wasn’t pretty enough or because those casting people were jerks! I’ve always managed to turn failure into something positive.”
Her perseverance has certainly paid off. Margo won an Emmy in 2011 for her powerful portrayal of a pot kingpin on Justified, followed by two more Emmys in 2015 and 2016 for her role as a tough Russian agent on The Americans. Along the way, she’s had the unwavering support of her husband of 37 years, singer William Boals, and her daughter, Margaret. "We've worked it out over the years, and it's definitely paid off," Margo says with pride.
Keep scrolling to dive deeper into our exclusive Q&A with Margo Martindale.
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Bringing Bella Abzug to Life in Mrs. America
Margo’s performance as Bella Abzug in the FX on Hulu miniseries Mrs. America is nothing short of captivating. A Texan playing a New Yorker might sound like a challenge, but Margo pulls it off with grace and authenticity. Having lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan since 1974, she was familiar with Bella's iconic hats and her loud, powerful presence in the news. Yet, she admits, “I didn’t know much about her beyond that.”
Why Are Stories Like Bella’s and Phyllis Schlafly’s Still Relevant?
“Because the battles they fought are still relevant today,” Margo explains. “They were the trailblazers, the warriors who paved the way with passion, hope, and promise. They fought harder than we’re fighting now. Maybe their stories will reignite the fire in all of us.”
Were You Involved in the Movement Back in the '70s?
Surprisingly, Margo wasn’t directly involved in the feminist movement of the '70s. She recalls, “My best friend and I were working at Harvard and later moved to New York together. We were always trying to get jobs! We thought we could achieve anything we wanted, so we didn’t feel the need to march.”
How Did You and William Boals Meet?
Margo’s meeting with her husband, William Boals, is a delightful story. “I was performing in a play at Harvard, The Threepenny Opera, alongside Christopher Reeve and some other incredible actors. I was seeing someone from the cast — not Christopher — and thought I was his girlfriend. But when his real girlfriend showed up, I realized I was just the summer fling. However, we became
