Childhood and Education Journey of Gillian Anderson in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Gillian Anderson. A timeline of key moments.

Gillian Anderson is a celebrated American actress, writer, and activist. She gained widespread recognition for her iconic role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files. Her versatile acting career includes notable performances as Lily Bart in The House of Mirth, DSI Stella Gibson in The Fall, Jean Milburn in Sex Education, and Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. Anderson's contributions to television and film have been recognized with numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 9, 1968: Gillian Anderson Born

On August 9, 1968, Gillian Leigh Anderson was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Graduated High School

In 1986, Gillian Anderson graduated from high school and returned to Chicago to attend The Theatre School at DePaul University.

1990: Earned Bachelor of Fine Arts

In 1990, Gillian Anderson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

1992: Moved to Los Angeles and appeared in The Turning

In 1992, Gillian Anderson moved to Los Angeles and appeared in her first feature-length film, The Turning.

January 1, 1994: Marriage to Clyde Klotz

On January 1, 1994, Gillian Anderson married Canadian art director Clyde Klotz in a Buddhist ceremony in Hawaii after they worked together on The X-Files.

September 25, 1994: Birth of Daughter

On September 25, 1994, Gillian Anderson and Clyde Klotz's daughter was born. The X-Files episode 'Piper Maru' was named after her.

May 1996: Addressed United States Congress

In May 1996, Gillian Anderson addressed the United States Congress, advocating for increased education and funding for neurofibromatosis research projects.

1996: Feminist Majority Foundation Spokesperson

In 1996, Gillian Anderson became the Feminist Majority Foundation's spokesperson and participated as a team leader in the Feminist Majority Foundation's Million4Roe campaign.

February 14, 1999: Performance in Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues

On February 14, 1999, Gillian Anderson participated in a stage performance of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues.

The Vagina Monologues: 20th Anniversary Edition

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March 1999: Attendance at Feminist Majority Foundation Event

In March 1999, Gillian Anderson attended a Feminist Majority Foundation event focused on stopping gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

2001: Emceeing Rock for Choice Concert

In 2001, Gillian Anderson emceed the Rock for Choice concert fundraiser, which featured musicians Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, and Melissa Etheridge, as well as actresses Helen Hunt, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, and Kathy Najimy, and supported reproductive options for unplanned pregnancies, including the morning-after pill.

April 2002: Appearance on Hollywood Squares for Feminist Majority Foundation

In April 2002, Gillian Anderson appeared on Hollywood Squares to raise funds for the Feminist Majority Foundation's campaign to aid Afghan women and girls.

2002: Moved back to London

In 2002, Gillian Anderson moved back to London, having always intended to return.

2002: Moved back to London and made West End debut

In 2002, after The X-Files ended, Gillian Anderson moved back to London and made her West End debut in What The Night Is For.

December 29, 2004: Marriage to Julian Ozanne

On December 29, 2004, Gillian Anderson married Kenyan-born documentary filmmaker Julian Ozanne on Lamu Island.

2005: Ownership of Sri Lanka Estate

In 2005, Gillian Anderson acquired an estate in Sri Lanka that previously belonged to painter Justin Deraniyagala.

2005: Crowdfunding for Alinyiikira Junior School

In 2005, while filming The Last King of Scotland, Gillian Anderson initiated a crowdfunding project to support the Alinyiikira Junior School in Kampala, Uganda.

2008: Co-founded SAYes

In 2008, Gillian Anderson co-founded South African Youth Education for Sustainability (SAYes), an organization dedicated to empowering marginalized young people in South Africa through youth mentoring.

2008: Brother Diagnosed with Glioblastoma

In 2008, Gillian Anderson's brother Aaron was diagnosed with glioblastoma.

2010: Boycott of Botswana Diamonds

In late 2010, Gillian Anderson and other artists joined a campaign to boycott Botswana diamonds in response to the government's treatment of the Kalahari San people.

February 2011: Narration of Short Film about Uncontacted Tribe

In February 2011, Gillian Anderson narrated a short film showcasing recent footage of an uncontacted tribe spotted in the Amazon on the Brazil-Peru border.

June 2011: Ambassador for Survival International

In June 2011, Gillian Anderson became an ambassador for Survival International, an organization that champions tribal peoples around the world.

2011: End of Philanthropic Project for Alinyiikira Junior School

In 2011, Gillian Anderson concluded her philanthropic project benefiting the Alinyiikira Junior School in Kampala, Uganda, which she had started in 2005.

2011: Brother Aaron's Death

In 2011, Gillian Anderson's brother Aaron, who had neurofibromatosis, died of a brain tumor at the age of 30.

2011: Brother's Death from Neurofibromatosis

In 2011, Gillian Anderson's brother, Aaron, passed away from Neurofibromatosis type I.

2012: End of Estate Ownership in Sri Lanka

In 2012, Gillian Anderson ended her ownership of the estate in Sri Lanka that formerly belonged to Justin Deraniyagala.

2012: Joined Greenpeace for Amazon Protection

In 2012, Gillian Anderson joined Greenpeace in standing with the people of Brazil for a zero-deforestation law to save the Amazon.

May 2013: National identity interview on BlogTalkRadio

In May 2013, during an interview with BlogTalkRadio, Gillian Anderson discussed her national identity and expressed her bafflement about whether she felt more British than American, noting that London felt like home.

2013: Backed the Cheetah Conservation Fund

In 2013, Gillian Anderson backed the Cheetah Conservation Fund by creating a short film together with the fund, advocating CCF's action to prevent the extinction of the cheetah.

2013: Patron of the Charles Dickens Statue Fund

In 2013, Gillian Anderson became a patron of the Charles Dickens Statue Fund, playing a key role in securing funding for the UK's first Dickens statue located in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

July 2014: Support for Taught Not Trafficked Campaign

In July 2014, Gillian Anderson supported Childreach International's Taught Not Trafficked campaign, launched to address child trafficking.

August 2014: Glamour Magazine Interview on Feminism

In August 2014, Gillian Anderson told Glamour magazine that she has feminist bones and little tolerance for how people react to women.

2014: Signatory of Amnesty International Letter

For International Women's Day 2014, Gillian Anderson was one of the artist signatories of Amnesty International's letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, campaigning for women's rights in Afghanistan.

March 2015: Backing Women at the Well Drop-in Centre

In March 2015, Gillian Anderson supported the Women at the Well drop-in centre for vulnerable women in London, which is financially supported by Comic Relief.

September 2015: Letter for New Conservation Approach

In September 2015, Gillian Anderson was among the artists who signed a letter advocating for a new approach to conservation that respects the rights of tribal peoples.

November 2015: Friend and Supporter of Positive Luxury

In November 2015, Gillian Anderson was named a friend and supporter of Positive Luxury, a company that informs consumers on brands' commitment to quality, craftsmanship, service and sustainability.

2015: Patron of the International Literacy Centre

In 2015, Gillian Anderson became a patron of the International Literacy Centre (ILC) – European home of Reading Recovery.

January 2016: Launch of ILC's Reading Recovery Read Aloud Campaign

In January 2016, Gillian Anderson helped launch the International Literacy Centre's (ILC) Reading Recovery Read Aloud campaign.

March 2016: Internet Charity Auction for Great Ormond Street Hospital

During February and March 2016, Gillian Anderson held an internet charity auction benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) children's hospital in London.

June 2016: Patron of the Temple Legal Centre

In June 2016, Gillian Anderson became a patron of the Temple Legal Centre, a London-based organization that provides free family law advice and support to people navigating the legal process.

June 2016: Opposition to Brexit

In June 2016, Gillian Anderson publicly expressed her opposition to Brexit leading up to the referendum on the issue.

2016: Signed Burma Campaign UK's Pledge

For International Women's Day 2016, Gillian Anderson was among the high-profile women who signed Burma Campaign UK's pledge to end and investigate crimes of sexual violence against girls and women in Myanmar.

September 2024: BBC Interview Elaboration on National Identity

In a September 2024 interview with the BBC, Gillian Anderson elaborated further on her national identity, stating, "My cells are American, but my soul is British".