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 an American actress renowned for her diverse roles across television and film. She gained widespread recognition as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files and has since delivered acclaimed performances as Lily Bart in The House of Mirth, DSU Stella Gibson in The Fall, Jean Milburn in Sex Education, and Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. Her talent has earned her numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. Anderson has been a London resident since 2002, marking a significant part of her life and career overseas.

Sections (4)

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

August 9, 1968: Gillian Anderson's Birth

On August 9, 1968, Gillian Leigh Anderson was born. She is an American actress known for her roles in The X-Files, The House of Mirth, The Fall, Sex Education, and The Crown.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Graduation from High School

In 1986, Gillian Anderson graduated from high school.

1990: Bachelor of Fine Arts

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

1992: Move to Los Angeles and Film Debut

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

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September 25, 1994: Birth of daughter, Piper Maru

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

May 1996: Addressed the United States Congress

In May 1996, Gillian Anderson addressed the United States Congress to advocate for increased education and funding for Neurofibromatosis (NF) research projects.

1996: Spokesperson for Feminist Majority Foundation

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

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: Attended FMF event to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan

In March 1999, Gillian Anderson attended a Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) event aimed at stopping gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

2001: Emceed Rock for Choice concert fundraiser

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, supporting reproductive options.

April 2002: Appearance on Hollywood Squares to benefit FMF

In April 2002, Gillian Anderson appeared on Hollywood Squares to support the Feminist Majority Foundation's (FMF) campaign to aid Afghan women and girls.

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2002: Move to London

In 2002, Gillian Anderson moved to London, where she has resided since.

December 29, 2004: Marriage to Julian Ozanne

On December 29, 2004, Gillian Anderson married Julian Ozanne, a documentarian, on Lamu Island, off the coast of Kenya.

2005: Started a crowdfunding venture for Alinyiikira Junior School

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

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April 21, 2006: Announcement of separation from Julian Ozanne

Gillian Anderson announced her separation from Julian Ozanne on April 21, 2006.

2008: Co-founded SAYes

In 2008, Gillian Anderson co-founded South African Youth Education for Sustainability (SAYes), a non-profit organization focused on youth mentoring to empower marginalized young people in South Africa.

2008: Aaron's Diagnosis

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

2010: Joined campaign to boycott Botswana diamonds

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

February 2011: Narrated a short film about an uncontacted tribe

In February 2011, Gillian Anderson narrated a short film about recent footage of an uncontacted tribe spotted from the air 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 Alinyiikira Junior School Philanthropic Project

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

2011: Death of brother Aaron

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

2012: Joined Greenpeace for zero-deforestation law

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

May 2013: Identity Discussion

In May 2013, Gillian Anderson discussed her national identity in an interview with BlogTalkRadio, stating that she feels London is home but is still baffled about her identity.

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 for 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 and played a crucial role in securing funding for the UK's first Dickens statue, located in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

July 2014: Launched the Taught Not Trafficked campaign

In July 2014, Gillian Anderson supported Childreach International's Taught Not Trafficked campaign, which addresses child trafficking.

August 2014: Interview with Glamour magazine

In an August 2014 interview with Glamour magazine, Gillian Anderson expressed her strong feminist views.

2014: Signed Amnesty International's letter for International Women's Day

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

March 2015: Backed the 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 receives financial support from Comic Relief.

September 2015: Signed letter for new approach to conservation

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

November 2015: Named a 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: Sponsoring a refugee minor in the "Jungle" camp in Calais

In March 2016, it was reported that Gillian Anderson is among the artists sponsoring an unaccompanied refugee minor in the "Jungle" camp in Calais.

June 2016: Support for remaining in the European Union and patron of the Temple Legal Centre

In June 2016, Gillian Anderson voiced her support for the United Kingdom to remain a member of the European Union during the referendum. Also in June 2016, she became a patron of the Temple Legal Centre, a London-based organization that offers free family law advice and support to people navigating the legal process.

2016: Signed Burma Campaign UK's pledge

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