Brief Introduction of Margaret Qualley
Sarah Margaret Qualley is an American actress who has rapidly risen to prominence in Hollywood. The daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley, she initially trained as a ballet dancer before transitioning to acting. Qualley first gained recognition for her role in the HBO series The Leftovers (2014–2017). Her career has since been marked by critically acclaimed performances in films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) and the Netflix miniseries Maid (2021), for which she received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Most recently, she has garnered further praise for her roles in Yorgos Lanthimos’s films and a second Golden Globe nomination for the body horror film The Substance (2024).
Margaret Qualley Overview
| Full Name | Sarah Margaret Qualley |
| Date of Birth | October 23, 1994 |
| Age | 30 years old |
| Birthplace | Kalispell, Montana, U.S. |
| Parents | Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley |
| Siblings | Justin Qualley (brother), Rainey Qualley (sister) |
| Height | 5′ 8″ (1.73 m) |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Dancer |
| Spouse | Jack Antonoff (m. 2023) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3 million (as of 2024/2025) |
Early Life and Education of Margaret Qualley
Sarah Margaret Qualley was born on October 23, 1994, in Kalispell, Montana, to actress and model Andie MacDowell and former model and musician Paul Qualley. She is the youngest of three children, with an older brother, Justin, and an older sister, Rainey, who is also an actress and singer. The family lived on a ranch in Missoula, Montana, before moving to Asheville, North Carolina, when Margaret was four. Her parents divorced when she was five, after which she split her time between them, as they lived only three miles apart.
From a young age, Qualley was immersed in the arts. She and her sister were introduced to society as debutantes at the Bal des débutantes in Paris. Her primary passion was dance, and at 14, she left home to study at the North Carolina School of the Arts. She continued her training as a ballet dancer, earning an apprenticeship at the American Ballet Theatre and studying at New York’s Professional Children’s School. However, at 16, after being offered an apprenticeship with the North Carolina Dance Theater company, she decided to quit professional ballet. To remain in New York, she began a career in modeling. She later shifted her focus to acting, attending a summer program at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and briefly enrolling at New York University before leaving to pursue acting roles.
Margaret Qualley’s Career
Modeling and Early Roles
At 16, Qualley began modeling to support herself in New York after deciding to quit ballet. She made her debut during New York Fashion Week for Alberta Ferretti in 2011 and has since worked for major brands like Chanel, for whom she is a house ambassador. Her acting debut came in 2013 with a small role in Gia Coppola’s film Palo Alto. She landed the part serendipitously while visiting her then-boyfriend, Nat Wolff, on set.
Her big break came in June 2013 when she was cast as a series regular in the HBO drama series The Leftovers, playing Jill Garvey, the daughter of Justin Theroux‘s character. The critically acclaimed show ran for three seasons, from 2014 to 2017, and brought her significant recognition. During this period, she also appeared in the action-comedy The Nice Guys (2016) alongside Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, and starred in the 2017 drama Novitiate as a young woman training to be a nun.
Breakthrough and Acclaim
Qualley’s career reached new heights in 2019 with a series of high-profile roles. She played a memorable part as “Pussycat,” a member of the Manson Family, in Quentin Tarantino‘s star-studded film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. For this role, she and the cast were nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. In the same year, she portrayed dancer and actress Ann Reinking in the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon, earning her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She also appeared in the video game Death Stranding as Mama and her twin sister, Lockne.
In 2021, Qualley delivered a powerful lead performance in the Netflix miniseries Maid, based on Stephanie Land’s memoir. She starred opposite her mother, Andie MacDowell, who played her on-screen mother. The role of Alex, a young mother escaping an abusive relationship, earned Qualley widespread critical acclaim, along with Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. This role solidified her status as a leading actress.
Following the success of Maid, Qualley has continued to choose complex and interesting projects. She has collaborated with acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos on the films Poor Things (2023) and Kinds of Kindness (2024). In 2024, she also starred in Ethan Coen’s comedy Drive-Away Dolls and received her second Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the graphic body horror film The Substance, opposite Demi Moore.
Margaret Qualley Personal Life & Family
Margaret Qualley comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry. Her mother is the celebrated actress Andie MacDowell, and her father is the former model Paul Qualley. Her older sister, Rainey Qualley, is also an actress and a musician. Qualley has spoken about the influence of her upbringing, acknowledging the privilege it afforded her while also emphasizing her drive to earn her place in the industry.
Qualley’s romantic life has been a subject of public interest. She was briefly linked to comedian Pete Davidson in 2019. In 2020, she dated actor Shia Labeouf, a relationship that ended in early 2021 amid controversies and a lawsuit filed against LaBeouf by his ex-girlfriend, FKA Twigs. Qualley later publicly expressed her support for FKA Twigs.
In 2021, Qualley began dating musician and record producer Jack Antonoff. The couple made their public debut at the Critics Choice Awards in March 2022 and announced their engagement in May of the same year. They were married on August 19, 2023, in a star-studded ceremony in New Jersey, attended by friends like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Zoë Kravitz. Qualley has described Antonoff as her “person” and expressed great happiness in their marriage.
Awards and Achievements of Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley’s performances have been recognized with numerous nominations from major industry awards bodies.
- Golden Globe Awards:
- 2025: Nominee, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for The Substance
- 2022: Nominee, Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television for Maid
- Primetime Emmy Awards:
- 2022: Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Maid
- 2019: Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Fosse/Verdon
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards:
- 2022: Nominee, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for Maid
- 2020: Nominee, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Critics’ Choice Television Awards:
- 2022: Nominee, Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for Maid
- 2020: Nominee, Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries for Fosse/Verdon
Margaret Qualley Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Margaret Qualley’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. Her wealth has been accumulated primarily through her successful acting career in both film and television. Her roles in high-profile projects like The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and especially the critically acclaimed series Maid have significantly contributed to her earnings. In addition to acting, Qualley earns income from her work as a model and brand ambassador, most notably for the luxury fashion house Chanel.
Legacy and Influence
Despite her relatively young age, Margaret Qualley has established herself as a versatile and respected actress known for her dedication and compelling performances. She is often praised for her ability to portray complex, emotionally charged characters with depth and authenticity. Qualley is also known for her environmental activism and using her platform to raise awareness about sustainability. As the daughter of a famous actress, she has been part of the “nepo baby” conversation, a label she has acknowledged openly. She has stated that while she recognizes her privileged background, she is driven by a desire to work hard and prove her merit in her own right.
Interesting Facts about Margaret Qualley
- Before committing to acting, she was a dedicated ballet dancer who trained with the American Ballet Theatre.
- She made her modeling debut at 16, walking for Alberta Ferretti during New York Fashion Week.
- For her role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, she had to grow out her armpit hair.
- She is a brand ambassador for Chanel and closed one of their couture shows wearing a wedding dress.
- The song “Margaret” by Lana Del Rey, from the album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, is named after her and features her husband, Jack Antonoff.
- For a long time, she lived in a sparsely furnished New York apartment with just a mattress on the floor and an IKEA lamp.
- It was her idea to cast her mother, Andie MacDowell, to play her on-screen mother in the series Maid, a suggestion she pitched to producer Margot Robbie.
- She has recently released music under the pseudonym Lace Manhattan, with tracks produced by her husband Jack Antonoff.
Controversies
Relationship with Shia LaBeouf
In late 2020, Margaret Qualley was in a relationship with actor Shia LaBeouf. The relationship ended in January 2021 after LaBeouf’s ex-girlfriend, musician FKA Twigs, filed a lawsuit against him alleging sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress. While Qualley did not comment at the time of the breakup, she later showed public support for FKA Twigs. In September 2021, she shared the cover of Elle magazine featuring FKA Twigs on her Instagram and captioned it, “Thank you.” When asked about it in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she stated, “It was important to me for her to know that I believe her—and it’s as simple as that.”
‘The Substance’ Prosthetics
Qualley has spoken about the physical toll of wearing extensive prosthetics for the 2024 body horror film The Substance. She revealed that the makeup caused severe acne and skin damage, to the point where her face could not be filmed for certain shots toward the end of production. She described the prosthetic suit she wore as a “torture chamber” and stated it took her skin about a year to fully recover.
Social Media Presence
Margaret Qualley has had an intermittent relationship with social media. She has previously maintained an Instagram account where she shared personal moments, promoted her work, and subtly confirmed her engagement to Jack Antonoff. However, she has also deleted her account at times. Her presence online is often a topic of interest for her fans, who follow her career and public appearances through various fan accounts and news outlets.
Final Words about Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley continues to be one of her generation’s most compelling and sought-after actresses. With a string of critically acclaimed performances and collaborations with some of the industry’s most respected directors, she has carved out a unique and impressive career path. Her willingness to take on challenging, unconventional roles in films like The Substance and Kinds of Kindness demonstrates a fearless artistic sensibility. Balancing her film work with her public persona and personal life, Qualley’s future in Hollywood looks exceptionally bright as she continues to build a lasting and influential legacy.
