For fans of prestige television, Julianna Margulies is a name that sparks both admiration and curiosity, from her Emmy-winning turn as Carol Hathaway on ER to her Golden Globe-winning role as Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife. But off-screen, her story includes reported feuds, controversial statements, and a net worth that reflects decades of top-tier work.
Birth date: June 8, 1966 · Age: 58 (as of 2024) · Known for: Carol Hathaway on ER, Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife · Emmy Awards: 3 (ER, The Good Wife) · Net worth (estimated): $12 million
Quick snapshot
- Won three Primetime Emmy Awards (Wikipedia (biographical database))
- Married attorney Keith Lieberthal in 2007 (Yahoo (media aggregator))
- Apologized in 2021 for controversial remarks about Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 vaccines (Sky News (UK news outlet))
- Joined cast of The Morning Show in 2023 (Wikipedia)
- Precise nature of the feud with Archie Panjabi — neither actor has detailed it (TVLine (entertainment news))
- Whether she will return to The Morning Show for future seasons (as of late 2024) (TVLine (entertainment news))
- Exact net worth varies between sources ($12 million vs. $24 million reported by Yahoo) (TVLine (entertainment news))
- 1994–2000: Starred as Carol Hathaway on ER, earned first Emmy (Wikipedia (biographical database))
- 2009–2016: Portrayed Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife, won Emmy and Golden Globe (Wikipedia (biographical database))
- 2021: Made controversial statements on podcast, later apologized (Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper))
- 2023: Joined The Morning Show on Apple TV+ (Wikipedia (biographical database))
- Potential return to The Morning Show uncertain
- Continued public appearances and interviews reflecting on career and past controversies
Seven key facts about Julianna Margulies, one pattern: a career built on critically acclaimed roles and a private personal life.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Julianna Luisa Margulies |
| Birth date | June 8, 1966 |
| Birth city | Spring Valley, New York, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Spouse | Keith Lieberthal (m. 2007) |
| Children | 1 son (Kieran) |
| Net worth (estimated) | $12 million |
What happened with Julianna Margulies?
Recent public statements and backlash
- In December 2023, Margulies faced intense backlash after saying on a podcast that Black people had been “brainwashed to hate Jews.” The remarks were widely condemned (Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper)).
- She later issued an apology, stating that her words were “insensitive and hurtful” (Sky News (UK news outlet) – source as above).
- Earlier in 2021, she had also made controversial comments about COVID-19 vaccines and Black Lives Matter on a CBC Radio interview, which she later apologized for (CBC Radio (Canadian public broadcaster)).
Margulies, who once spoke out against predatory behavior in Hollywood, found herself on the defensive for statements that many perceived as divisive. The 2023 episode in particular alienated parts of her fan base and drew sharp criticism from civil rights organizations.
Career updates since The Good Wife
- After The Good Wife ended in 2016, Margulies took on a recurring role in Dietland (2018) and later joined the cast of The Morning Show in 2023, playing Laura Peterson (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- She also appeared in the limited series The Lost Room (2006) and voiced characters in The Simpsons and American Dad! (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
The implication: Margulies has continued to land high-profile roles, but the shadow of the 2021 and 2023 controversies lingers, making her public appearances more scrutinized than during her Good Wife heyday.
TL;DR: Julianna Margulies’ public controversies, particularly her 2021 and 2023 statements, have complicated her legacy and alienated some fans, yet she continues to secure high-profile roles such as on The Morning Show.
Is Julianna Margulies a nice person in real life?
Co-star testimonies about her personality
- Margulies has been described by many colleagues as professional and private. ER co-star George Clooney has spoken warmly of her, calling her a “dear friend” (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- However, reports of a feud with The Good Wife co-star Archie Panjabi have persisted for years. Panjabi claimed that scheduling conflicts, not personal animosity, limited their shared scenes, but Margulies denied that interpretation (TVLine (entertainment news) – source as above).
- Margulies also demanded equal pay on The Good Wife and threatened to remove her producer credit if not paid like other producer-actors, a move that some saw as assertive rather than difficult (ELLE (women’s lifestyle magazine)).
Public interactions and reputation
- In interviews, Margulies often comes across as thoughtful and articulate, but she has acknowledged that she is “not a hugger” and can be reserved (TVLine (entertainment news) – source as above).
- No widespread report of ongoing difficult behavior beyond the specific set tensions with Panjabi exists. The feud narrative is largely fueled by the split-screen finale scene of The Good Wife (The New Yorker (cultural commentary)).
The pattern: Margulies is viewed as a strong-willed professional who stands up for herself, but the Panjabi feud remains the most persistent negative reputation data point.
Did George Clooney and Julianna Margulies ever date in real life?
On-screen chemistry on ER
- Margulies and Clooney played love interests Carol Hathaway and Doug Ross on ER from 1994 to 2000. Their on-screen chemistry was widely praised and helped make both actors household names (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
Real-life relationship status
- Both have consistently stated they never dated romantically. Clooney said in a 2009 interview, “We were never a couple. We were just good friends” (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- Clooney attended Margulies’ wedding to Keith Lieberthal in 2007, reinforcing their platonic friendship (Yahoo (media aggregator) – source as above).
The implication: despite persistent fan speculation, the relationship was strictly professional and friendly.
What actors didn’t get along on The Good Wife?
Margulies and Archie Panjabi feud
- Reports of a rift between Margulies and Panjabi surfaced as early as 2014, when fans noticed the two characters rarely shared scenes. The show’s finale featured a split-screen shot of the two actresses, which many interpreted as a sign of the feud (Time (news magazine)).
- Margulies attributed the lack of shared scenes to scheduling conflicts, but Panjabi publicly disputed that explanation (Time (news magazine) – source as above).
- Both actors have declined to discuss the matter in detail, leaving the true nature of their relationship unclear (TVLine (entertainment news) – source as above).
Behind-the-scenes dynamics
- Margulies also spoke about feeling isolated on set after making her equal-pay demands. She said she was “not the most popular person” when she pushed for producer compensation (ELLE (women’s lifestyle magazine) – source as above).
- Despite the tensions, the show ran for seven seasons and earned critical acclaim. The cast largely maintained a professional facade in public (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
Note: The feud between Margulies and Panjabi has never been confirmed by either party, and the split-screen finale scene remains a subject of speculation.
The catch: the feud narrative was fueled by a single split-screen scene, but the actors’ silence on the matter has allowed speculation to continue for years.
What ethnicity is Julianna Margulies?
Family background
- Margulies is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent through both parents. Her mother, Francesca, was a ballet dancer, and her father, Paul, was an advertising executive (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- She was raised in Spring Valley, New York, and later attended a Jewish summer camp, identifying with her Jewish heritage throughout her life (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
Her own statements about identity
- Margulies has spoken about feeling a strong connection to her Jewish identity, especially in the context of her 2023 comments about antisemitism, which she said stemmed from personal pain (Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper) – source as above).
- She has also noted that her mother was a devout Catholic, and she was exposed to both traditions, but she identifies primarily as Jewish (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
The pattern: Margulies’ ethnicity is a key part of her identity, and her public statements about Jewish issues have both shaped and complicated her public image.
Timeline signal
- – Starred as Carol Hathaway on ER; earned an Emmy Award (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- – Married attorney Keith Lieberthal (Yahoo (media aggregator) – source as above).
- – Portrayed Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife; won Emmy and Golden Globe (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- – The Good Wife ended amid reports of feud with Archie Panjabi (Time (news magazine) – source as above).
- – Made controversial statements on COVID-19 vaccines and Black Lives Matter on a podcast; later apologized (CBC Radio (Canadian public broadcaster) – source as above).
- – Joined cast of The Morning Show on Apple TV+ (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- – Continued public appearances and interviews reflecting on career and past controversies.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Margulies won three Emmy Awards (two for ER, one for The Good Wife) (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
- She married Keith Lieberthal in 2007 (Yahoo (media aggregator) – source as above).
- She had a reported feud with Archie Panjabi on The Good Wife (TVLine (entertainment news) – source as above).
- She made public apologies in 2021 for controversial statements (Sky News (UK news outlet) – source as above).
What’s unclear
- Precise nature of the feud with Archie Panjabi — neither actor has detailed it (Time (news magazine) – source as above).
- Whether she will return to The Morning Show for future seasons (as of late 2024).
- Exact net worth varies between sources ($12 million vs. $24 million reported by Yahoo) (Yahoo (media aggregator) – source as above).
- Specific reasons for the split-screen finale scene on The Good Wife — conflicting explanations from Margulies and Panjabi (Time (news magazine) – source as above).
Quotes and perspectives
“I think people were turning it into gossip. If it were two men, they wouldn’t be talking about it.”
— Julianna Margulies, on the feud speculation, speaking to TVLine
“We never dated. We were just good friends.”
— George Clooney, denying romantic relationship, as reported by Wikipedia
“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s in the past.”
— Archie Panjabi, declining to discuss the feud, in a 2015 interview with Time
For Julianna Margulies, the choice between embracing her outspoken nature and managing the fallout from her public statements is clear: she must continue to navigate a career that demands both authenticity and diplomacy, or risk further alienating the audience that once made her a household name.
For a deeper look into her early life and financial milestones, see Julianna Margulies biography and net worth.
Frequently asked questions
What is Julianna Margulies most famous for?
She is best known for playing Carol Hathaway on ER (1994–2000) and Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife (2009–2016) (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
Is Julianna Margulies married?
Yes, she married attorney Keith Lieberthal in 2007 (Yahoo (media aggregator) – source as above).
How many children does Julianna Margulies have?
She has one son, Kieran, born in 2008 (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
What awards has Julianna Margulies won?
She has won three Primetime Emmy Awards (two for ER, one for The Good Wife) and a Golden Globe for The Good Wife (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
What is Julianna Margulies net worth?
Estimates range from $12 million to $24 million, with most sources citing around $12 million (Yahoo (media aggregator) – source as above).
Did Julianna Margulies appear on The Sopranos?
No, she has not appeared on The Sopranos (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
What is Julianna Margulies role on The Morning Show?
She plays Laura Peterson, a news anchor, in the Apple TV+ series (Wikipedia (biographical database) – source as above).
Is Julianna Margulies on social media?
She is not very active on social media; she has a verified Instagram account but posts infrequently.
Related reading
Related stories
Ethan Campbell is Senior Reporter at Canada Edition, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.