Mary Beth Peil, born on June 25, 1940, in Davenport, Iowa, is an American actress and soprano. She began her career as an opera singer in 1962 with the Goldovsky Opera Theater and won two major singing competitions in 1964, the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

These achievements earned her a contract with the Metropolitan Opera National Company, where she performed as a leading soprano from 1965 to 1967. Throughout the 1970s, she continued to perform in operas, notably creating the role of Alma in the world premiere of Lee Hoiby's "Summer and Smoke" at the Minnesota Opera in 1971.

Transitioning to musical theater in 1983, she performed the title role in Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate" and later joined the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I" as Anna Leonowens.

Her Broadway debut earned her a Tony Award nomination in 1985. She has remained a stage actress in musicals and plays, receiving an Obie Award and nominations for a Drama Desk Award, a Helen Hayes Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards. In 2017, she received a second Tony nomination for her portrayal of Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna in "Anastasia".

Mary Beth Peil made her film debut in the 1992 movie "Jersey Girl" and her first television appearance in 1994 on the program "Law & Order".

She is best known for her roles in the main casts of two television series: as Evelyn 'Grams' Ryan in "Dawson's Creek" (1998-2003) and Jackie Florrick in "The Good Wife" (2009-2016). Her notable film credits include "The Odd Couple II" (1999), "The Stepford Wives" (2004), "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006), "Mirrors" (2008), "Maladies" (2012), and "Collateral Beauty" (2016).

In 2020, she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Drama Series for her role in "After Forever".

Mary Beth Peil was married to clarinetist Jerry Kirkbride for 22 years before they divorced.