Merrin Dungey, born August 6, 1971, in Sacramento, Calif., was active in ballet and dance as well as piano as a child, as well as an accomplished ice skater.

Dungey graduated in 1989 from Rio Americano High School in Sacramento. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA, and was the youngest recipient of the UCLA Acting Award.

She is best-known for her breakout role as Francie Calfo on the successful television drama Alias, which she played from 2001-2003, and reprised in a surprise appearance in the series finale, "All the Time in the World."

Dungey has also appeared in the TV series The King of Queens (1998-present) and Summerland (200 -2005), as well as Kitty Kernaban, Stevie's mother, in Malcolm in the Middle and in an episode of The West Wing.

Dungey has also guest starred on Martin, Living Single, ER, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Friends and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In March 2007, she became part of the cast of the Grey's Anatomy titled Private Practice.