Allison Tolman Bio
Allison Tolman is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Molly Solverson in the first season of the FX television series Fargo, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and Alma Fillcot in the second season of the Paramount+ anthology series Why Women Kill.
Early Life and Background
Allison Tolman was born to Valerie Clohecy and Davis Nichols Tolman, a petroleum geologist. She has two older brothers and a younger sister. Her family moved to England when she was a few months old and stayed until she was four years old. After that, she spent five years in Oklahoma and West Texas before moving to Sugar Land, Texas. Tolman began taking acting classes at the Fort Bend Community Theatre when she was 10 years old. She attended Clements High School, graduating in 2000. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatrical performance. After college, she moved to Dallas, where she was one of the founding members of Second Thought Theatre. In 2009, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, to study performance at The Second City Training Center.
Path to Hollywood
Allison Tolman’s journey to becoming an actress began with her early exposure to theater and performance. After moving to Chicago, she honed her craft and gained valuable experience in various productions. Her dedication and talent eventually led her to significant opportunities in television and film. Tolman’s breakthrough came in 2014 when she starred in the first season of Fargo, which earned her critical acclaim and recognition in the industry.
Allison Tolman Career
Early Career (2004–2014)
Allison Tolman began her professional acting career in 2004. In 2014, she starred in the first season of the FX black comedy crime series Fargo. Inspired by the 1996 Coen brothers film of the same name, Fargo featured veteran actors Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, and Bob Odenkirk. Tolman received accolades for her performance as Minnesota police officer Molly Solverson, with Vanity Fair noting that she “calmly and assuredly stole the entire show.” For her role, she won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries and received nominations for Best Actress at the Emmy Awards and the Golden Globes. The same year, it was announced that Tolman would have a two-episode guest role on The Mindy Project as Abby Berman, a romance novelist. In 2015, she had a supporting role in Michael Dougherty’s comedy horror film Krampus.
Breakthrough (2014–2021)
Following her breakout role on Fargo, Tolman was selective about her projects, declining several supporting parts as mothers, wives, and best friends in search of more unique roles. In 2017, she starred in ABC’s Downward Dog, based on the Animal Media Group web series, which was canceled after one season. She also starred in the ABC drama series Emergence, which premiered on September 24, 2019, and was canceled after one season on May 21, 2020. Additionally, she guest-starred in NBC’s Good Girls. In 2021, she starred as Alma Fillcot in the second season of the drama series Why Women Kill and played Natalie Green in The Facts of Life portion of the third edition of Live in Front of a Studio Audience. In the fall of 2024, Tolman joined the NBC sitcom St. Denis Medical as a leading actress, portraying the character Alex in a main role.
Notable Works and Milestones
Allison Tolman’s signature work includes her role in Fargo, which earned her critical acclaim and several award nominations. She has also made significant contributions to television with her performances in Why Women Kill and St. Denis Medical.
Allison Tolman Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Allison Tolman has received several nominations for her outstanding performances, particularly for her work in Fargo.
Allison Tolman Awards Won
Allison Tolman won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries for her role in Fargo in 2014.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Critics’ Choice Television Awards | 1 | 2014 |
Allison Tolman Family
Allison Tolman was born to Valerie Clohecy and Davis Nichols Tolman. She has two older brothers and a younger sister.
Personal Life
In 2022, Allison Tolman spent months helping her mother care for her ill father. During this time, she watched sitcoms with her mother to cheer her up. Tolman remarked that getting the role in St. Denis Medical felt like kismet.