Quinn Cummings Biography

Quinn Cummings (born August 13, 1967) is an American inventor, businesswoman, television and film actress, and author best known for her Oscar-nominated role in Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl and her humorous memoir "Notes From The Underwire". Her second book, The Year of Learning Dangerously, about homeschooling in America, was released in August, 2012. In 2013, Cummings published Pet Sounds, a collection of (mostly) humorous essays relating to living with and around animals.

Early career

Quinn Cummings began her career after being discovered by famed cinematographer James Wong Howe. She soon began landing roles in numerous television commercials, eventually winning the role of Marsha Mason's daughter, Lucy McFadden, in the 1977 film The Goodbye Girl. Cummings' performance was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress " Motion Picture.

In 1978, Cummings landed a recurring role on the drama series Family. In 1985, Cummings also appeared in the short-lived ABC sitcom, Hail to the Chief, playing the daughter of the first female President of the United States (played by Patty Duke).

During the late-1980s, Cummings acted occasionally and worked as a casting agent. In the 1990s, she quit acting because she wasn't comfortable living her life in the public eye and stated that, ..."nobody could conceive of hiring me". She went on to attend UCLA for two years, and had a stint recruiting writers to publish short stories online. Her last acting role was in a 1991 episode of Blossom.

Personal life

In June 2000, Cummings gave birth to a daughter. In her blog, qcreport.com, she goes by Daughter, but in her book, her daughter is "Alice". She currently lives in Los Angeles with her daughter and her long-time boyfriend.

Recent years

Inspired by the birth of her first child, Cummings created the HipHugger, a stylish, sling-type device for carrying a baby. She was the president of the HipHugger company, before selling it in 2006.

In February 2005, Cummings created The QC Report, a blog which discusses the ironies of modern life from the point of view of a career-mom in her thirties. It has received numerous recommendations including Newsweek's BlogWatch pick of the week.

Books and Publications

Cummings' first book, "Notes From The Underwire: Adventures from My Awkward and Lovely Life" was published in July 2009 by Hyperion Books . Her second book, The Year of Learning Dangerously, which explores the current state of home schooling in America, was published by Penguin Books in August, 2012. Pet Sounds, a collection of (mostly) humorous stories relating to animals and pet ownership was released in the summer of 2013.

Cummings discusses why she decided to homeschool her daughter here.

Cumming's work has also been featured in numerous publications including: The Wall Street Journal, Time, People, The Atlantic, Salon, Los Angeles Magazine, Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, and others.

Filmography

• The Goodbye Girl (1977)
• Listen to Me (1989)

Television

• Big Eddie (Unknown episodes, 1975)
• Jeremiah of Jacob's Neck (1976)
• The Six Million Dollar Man (1 episode, 1976)
• Night Terror (1977)
• Visions (1 episode, 1977)
• Intimate Strangers (1977)
• Starsky and Hutch (1 episode, 1978)
• Baretta (1 episode, 1978)
• CBS Library (1 episode, 1980)
• Family (36 episodes, 1978"1980)
• The Babysitter (1980)
• Darkroom (1 episode, 1981)
• Grandpa, Will You Run with Me? (1983)
• Remington Steele (1 episode, 1984)
• Hail to the Chief (Unknown episodes, 1985)
• The Love Boat (1 episode, 1986)
• Blossom (1 episode, 1991)

Awards and nominations

Academy Award

• Nominated: Best Actress in a Supporting Role, The Goodbye Girl (1978)

Golden Globe

• Nominated: Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role, The Goodbye Girl (1978)

Young Artist Award

• Nominated: Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television, Grandpa, Will You Run with Me? (1984)
• Won: Best Young Actress in a Television Series, Family (1981)
• Nominated: Best Juvenile Actress in a TV Series or Special, Family (1980)