MARY KAY PLACE (Elaine) is best known for her role as country singer Loretta Haggers on the hit comedy series "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," for which she won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy. She is particularly memorable as Meg, the unmarried lawyer who desperately wants a child in Lawrence Kasdan's "The Big Chill," as well as such films as "Bound for Glory," "More American Graffiti," "New York, New York," "Private Benjamin," "Starting Over," "Modern Problems," "Waltz Across Texas," "Explorers," "Smooth Talk," "A New Life," "Samantha," "Bright Angel," "Captain Ron," and the upcoming "Citizen Ruth." Recently, Place had a recurring role on the acclaimed TV series "My So Called Life" and appeared in the provocative PBS miniseries "Tales of the City."

Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Place moved to Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Tulsa. After working as an assistant to producer Norman Lear, Place began writing for numerous TV series, including "M*A*S*H" (Emmy nomination, 1973), "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Phyllis." She also acted in episodes of "All in the Family," "M*A*S*H" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" before beginning "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman." She wrote over 75 songs for her "Mary Hartman" character, and recorded three successful albums, including the Grammy nominated "Tonight! At the Capri Lounge."

Her other television appearances include "Saturday Night Live" (as host), "Fernwood 2-Night," Martin Mull's "The History of White People in America" (ACE nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy), "Mom's on Strike," "The Booth," "Act of Love," "For Love or Money," "The Girl Who Spelled Freedom," "Traitor in My House," "Crazy from the Heart," "Out on the Edge," "Bed of Lies," "Telling Secrets," "Just My Imagination," "In the Line of Duty: The Pride of Vengeance," "My Very Best Friend." "Urban Anxiety," Showtime's "Directed by..." (Kathleen Turner's "Leslie's Folly" and Laura Dern's "The Gift") and PBS's "Talking With," directed by Kathy Bates.

Mary Kay Place frequently works as a director on television, and has done episodes of "Dream On," "Friends," "Baby Boom" and other programs.