Is part German

The Counting Crows song "Butterfly in Reverse" was written for her.

Her critically acclaimed role as a jaded London prostitute named Poopay in "Communicating Doors" played in New York City at the Variety Arts Theatre on Third Avenue, 1998.

Is part Swedish.

Considered for the role of Susan Mayer in "Desperate Housewives" (2004).

Son, William Atticus, born 7 January 2004.

Split with actor Billy Crudup in November of 2003, after seven years. She was seven months pregnant with his child at the time.

Performed in "Proof," which first opened at Manhattan Theatre Club, then moving to Broadway. She won the Tony award for Best Actress in a Play for this in 2001.

Won Broadway's 2001 Tony Award as Best Actress (Play) for "Proof." She had previously received a Tony nomination in the same category in 1990 for "Prelude to a Kiss."

Graduated from the prestigious North Carolina School of Arts.

Recently broke up with her "Weeds" (2005) co-star, Jeffrey Dean Morgan [June 26, 2007].

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1990" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 42.

Nominated for the 2005 Tony Award for "Reckless" (Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play).

Turned down the opportunity to replace Shannen Doherty on "Charmed" (1998).

For the film The Best Thief in the World (2004), originally Eric Stoltz was offered the role of her husband, but Mary-Louise Parker wanted someone older so asked the producers to hire the actor David Warshofsky. The film never received a theatrical release.

At age 43, she adopted her second child, a baby girl from Africa, named Ash. This is apparently a shortened version of her birth name, Aberash. The girl's full name is Caroline Aberash Parker.