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Gillian Anderson was born as Gillian Leigh Anderson on August 9, 1968 in Chicago. Her family moved to Puerto Rico, London and back to Michigan, where she attended Fountain Elementary and City High-Middle School. During her high school days, Gillian Anderson had a reputation for being strong-willed and rebellious. She found an outlet for her behavior when she joined and acted in the community and high school productions.

When Gillian Anderson was young, she wanted to become a marine biologist. However, after experiencing several roles for the Grand Rapids Community Theater, she changed her dreams and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at the Goodman Theater School of Drama in Chicago and graduated in 1990. She also attended a few summer classes with the British National Theater in New York.

At age 22, Gillian Anderson moved to New York and started her acting career at the Manhattan Theatre Club, playing alongside Brenda Blethyn in Alan Ayckbourn’s play, Absent Friends, where she won the 1991 Theatre World Newcomer Award. Gillian Anderson then appeared in Christopher Hampton’s, The Philanthropist.

In 1992, Gillian Anderson moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a waitress while auditioning. Even though she vowed never to accept a TV gig, she changed her mind after being out of work for more than a year. Gillian Anderson lent her voice in the audio book of “Exit to Eden”. However, in 1993, she guest starred in the FOX TV drama, Class of ’96. Her performance in the series was the reason for the X Files script being sent to Anderson.

At age 24, Gillian Anderson decided to audition. Producer Chris Carter wanted her for the role, but FOX wanted an actress with previous TV exposure. Although other actresses were sent it, Carter insisted on Gillian Anderson. She won the role of Special Agent Dana Scully for nine seasons and one big-screen Hollywood film. Gillian Anderson’s performance in The X Files led to several awards including, Golden Globe, Emmy and two SAG Awards for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

During the production of The X-Files movie, Gillian Anderson met assistant art director Clyde Klotz. They married on January 1, 1994 in Hawaii. On September 25, 1994, Gillian Anderson gave birth to daughter Piper Maru, for whom the X-Files episode entitled “Piper Maru” was named. Her marriage ended in 2002. She married the documentary filmmaker Julian Ozanne in 2004, but separated two years later. On November 2006, Gillian Anderson and boyfriend Mark Griffiths had a son named Oscar.