Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen: A Distinguished Career in Acting and Beyond

Candice Bergen, born on May 9, 1946, in Beverly Hills, California, began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. She is best known for her role as the titular character in the groundbreaking sitcom Murphy Brown, where she earned five Emmy Awards. Bergen also gained critical acclaim for her film work, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Starting Over (1979). Her career has spanned multiple decades and mediums, from television to film and even photojournalism.

Early Life and Career

Born to ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and model Frances Westerman Bergen, Candice grew up in the entertainment industry. She began her career appearing in her father’s act with his famous puppets, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. By her teenage years, she had transitioned into modeling, a profession that paved the way for her acting debut in the 1966 film The Group.

Acclaimed Film Roles

Bergen quickly gained recognition for her talent. Notable films in her early career include Carnal Knowledge (1971) and Gandhi (1982). For Starting Over (1979), she earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her memoir, Knock Wood, published in 1984, offered a glimpse into her life in the spotlight.

Rise to Fame with Murphy Brown

In 1988, Bergen found her iconic role as the lead in Murphy Brown, a sitcom that became a cultural touchstone. As Murphy, a sharp, witty, and politically engaged journalist, she garnered eight Emmy nominations, winning five times. The show became a national topic of conversation in 1992 when Vice President Dan Quayle criticized the character for being a single mother, reflecting the series’ relevance in public discourse.

Bergen’s portrayal of Murphy was so convincing that she was considered for a real-life correspondent position on 60 Minutes after the show’s conclusion in 1998. Alongside her acting, Bergen also pursued photojournalism, with her work published in prestigious magazines like Life and Playboy.

In 2018, Bergen returned to the role of Murphy for a highly anticipated revival on CBS.

Later Television Success

After hosting Exhale with Candice Bergen in 2000, she returned to television in 2005 with Boston Legal, co-starring William Shatner and James Spader. Her portrayal of a powerful attorney earned her nominations for both Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Bergen continued to make guest appearances in hit shows like House and The Michael J. Fox Show, while also appearing in films such as Bride Wars (2010) and Home Again (2017).

Personal Life

Candice Bergen has one brother, Kris Bergen, a film and TV editor. She married French filmmaker Louis Malle in 1980, with whom she had a daughter, Chloe, in 1985. Malle passed away in 1995. In 2000, she married Marshall Rose, a New York real estate executive and philanthropist. Bergen’s second memoir, A Fine Romance, was published in 2015, providing further insights into her personal and professional life.

Bergen remains a beloved figure in American television and film, known for her wit, intelligence, and enduring impact on popular culture.