Christine Taylor
A comedic scene-stealer who became the definitive on-screen Marcia Brady and a beloved fixture in cult classic films.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American actress·Birthday: July 30·Generation X
Biography
Christine Taylor carved out a specific and memorable niche in American comedy, often playing the charmingly earnest or delightfully deadpan counterpart to more outlandish characters. The Pennsylvania native, a former teen model, broke through with a spot-on performance as the perfectly coiffed and perpetually sunny Marcia Brady in the big-screen adaptations of 'The Brady Bunch.' This role showcased her gift for playing straight-man sincerity with a wink. She became a familiar face in the ensemble casts of defining comedies of the late 90s and early 2000s, from the witchy drama of 'The Craft' to the romantic nostalgia of 'The Wedding Singer.' Her role as Matilda Jeffries, the relentlessly sensible magazine reporter in Ben Stiller's 'Zoolander,' cemented her status as a master of subtle comic timing amidst chaos. While her public profile later balanced acting with family life, her filmography remains a beloved playlist of comedy hits from a specific era.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Christine was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Christine Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Christine's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the iconic role of Marcia Brady in both 'The Brady Bunch Movie' (1995) and 'A Very Brady Sequel' (1996).
- Played key supporting roles in major cult comedy films including 'Zoolander' (2001) and 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story' (2004).
- Appeared in the acclaimed television series 'Arrested Development' as Sally Sitwell.
Did You Know?
She is married to actor and comedian Ben Stiller, whom she met on the set of a television pilot in 1999.
She was a 'teen correspondent' for the Nickelodeon show 'Hey Dude.'
Her father was a television producer for shows like 'The Mike Douglas Show' and 'The David Letterman Show.'
“I've always been drawn to characters who are the straight man in a world of chaos.”
