Elizabeth McGovern is an American actress and musician, best known for her role as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, in the popular television series Downton Abbey. Born on July 18, 1961, in Evanston, Illinois, she began her acting career in the early 1980s and gained recognition for her performance in the film Ordinary People. In addition to acting, McGovern is also a talented musician. She has released several albums and often performs with her band, Sadie and the Hotheads. Throughout her career, she has received various accolades for her work in film, television, and theater.