Mother of actress Lilly McDowell (b. 1981) and producer/director Charlie McDowell (b. 1983)

A notable patron of the arts who has set up exhibits in the past, her husband actor Ted Danson sculpts as a sideline.

Returned to old high school in North Little Rock, Arkansas, April 2002, to teach drama workshops to students, fulfilling promise made to parents of teenager Thea Leopoulos, who was killed in a traffic accident in 2001.

Referred to multiple times on "Stargate SG-1" (1997) as the heartthrob of Colonel Jack O'Neill, played by Richard Dean Anderson.

Her "Joan of Arcadia" (2003) co-star Michael Welch played a younger version of Colonel Jack O'Neill in "Stargate SG-1" (1997) episode #7.3, "Fragile Balance".

In both Time After Time (1979) and Back to the Future Part III (1990) she played the love interest of a time traveller who later became one herself. In the former, she was from the time traveller's future and in the latter, she was from his past.

Shares a birthday with Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil, her The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) co-star Seth Green, James Dean and Ethan Phillips.

Played Jason Ritter's mother in "Joan of Arcadia" (2003). Her husband Ted Danson played Ritter's father in Mumford (1999).

Has appeared with Christopher Lloyd in three different films: Goin' South (1978), Back to the Future Part III (1990) and Wish You Were Dead (2002).

Is the third of 4 consecutive winners of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to have the initials "M.S.". The others are: Maggie Smith - California Suite (1978), Meryl Streep - Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), and Maureen Stapleton - Reds (1981).