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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Actor

Christina Hendricks

Christina Hendricks is an American actress and former model best known for playing Joan Holloway on the AMC period drama *Mad Men* (2007–2015).

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Christina Hendricks is an American actress and former model, best known for her role as Joan Holloway on the AMC drama *Mad Men*. She has earned multiple awards and six Primetime Emmy nominations over her career.

Who is Christina Hendricks?

Born Christina Rene Hendricks on May 3, 1975, in Knoxville, Tennessee, she was raised in part in Twin Falls, Idaho. Her father was British-born, and her mother worked as a psychologist. Before acting, Hendricks began her career as a model.

Career highlights

Hendricks moved to television in the late 1990s, with early roles on *Beggars and Choosers* and *Kevin Hill*. Her breakout came as Joan Holloway on *Mad Men* (2007–2015). She has also appeared in films such as *Drive*, *Dark Places*, *The Neon Demon*, and *Toy Story 4*, and on TV in *Firefly* and *Good Girls*.

Awards and recognition

Her work on *Mad Men* brought two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards, plus six Primetime Emmy nominations. In 2010, an *Esquire* readers' poll named her the sexiest woman in the world, amplifying her public profile.

In short

  • Best known as Joan Holloway on *Mad Men*.
  • Started her career as a model before moving to acting.
  • Has won two SAG Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards.
  • Received six Primetime Emmy nominations and was named sexiest woman in the world by Esquire in 2010.

Quick questions

Who is Christina Hendricks?
She is an American actress and former model best known for playing Joan Holloway on *Mad Men*.
What is Christina Hendricks best known for?
She is best known for her role as Joan Holloway in AMC's *Mad Men*.
Has Christina Hendricks won major awards?
Yes. She has won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards, and she has received six Primetime Emmy nominations.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Hendricks
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, career overview, Mad Men role, awards, Esquire poll mention.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0376716/
    Supports: Born in Knoxville, raised in Idaho, early modelling and television career, Firefly role.
  3. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/christina-hendricks
    Supports: American actress, modelling background, breakout role in Mad Men, Emmy nominations.
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/christina-hendricks/bio/3000200513/
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, profession.
  5. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Christina+Hendricks/386131
    Supports: Career progression, Mad Men recognition, film credits, body positivity/public profile.
  6. Apple TV — https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/
    Supports: Family background, early acting, modelling, and later film work including Toy Story 4.