Profile Text
Tierney in 2010, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Maura Lynn Tierney
Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Date of Birth: February 3, 1965
Ethnicity: Irish, small amount of English, possibly some Scottish
Maura Tierney is an American actress. She is known for her roles on the series ER , NewsRadio , and The Affair , and in the films Primal Fear , Liar Liar , Primary Colors , Insomnia , Beautiful Boy (2018), and Twisters .
She is the daughter of Pat and Joseph M. Tierney, a Democratic politician, who was on the Boston City Council, from 1972 to 1987; and was its President.
Maura’s paternal grandfather was William Francis Tierney (the son of Patrick Joseph Tierney and Margaret Augusta Heath). William was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Irish emigrants. Patrick was born in County Galway, the son of Patrick Tierney and Mary Lannon. Margaret was born in Cloonashade, County Roscommon, the daughter of John Heath and Bridget Luby.
Maura’s paternal grandmother was Mary Anne Costello (the daughter of Michael Costello and Bridget McKeon). Mary was Irish, from Drumcattan, County Leitrim. Michael was born in Rowan, the son of Michael Costello and Margaret McLoughlin. Bridget was born in Corlough, the daughter of John McKeon and Anne McKeon.
Maura’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Thomas James (the son of Joseph D. James and Catharine G. Connolly). Maura’s grandfather Joseph was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Maura’s great-grandfather Joseph was the son of Joshua James, whose parents were English; and of Margaret May “Emma” Magner, who was an Irish immigrant. Maura’s great-grandmother Catharine was also an Irish immigrant, the daughter of Valentine Connolly and Hannah O’Toole.
Maura’s maternal grandmother was Mary Frances Templeton (the daughter of Martin Francis Templeton and Elizabeth G. Porter). Mary was born in New Brunswick, Canada. Martin was the son of John Charles Templeton, whose paternal grandparents, and mother, were Irish; and of Miriam “Mary Josephine” Mullen, who was an Irish emigrant, from County Roscommon. Maura’s great-grandmother Elizabeth was the daughter of William Henry Porter, who was born in Canada, to Irish parents; and of Mary Anne Dunn, who was also Irish.
Source: Genealogy of Maura Tierney – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Maura’s father – http://archive.boston.com