Early Life and Education

Margaret Colin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in nearby Long Island. She graduated from Baldwin Senior High School in 1976, where her interest in acting began to take shape.

Television and Soap Opera Career

Colin began her professional acting career in the late 1970s, making her television debut on the soap opera The Edge of Night. Although details about her character have occasionally been exaggerated or misreported, she played a complex and suspenseful role that gave her early exposure in the industry.

She gained wider recognition with her role as Margo Montgomery on As the World Turns, a performance that established her as a staple of daytime television. Her portrayal was praised for its emotional depth and compelling storylines, significantly raising her profile within the industry.

Film Appearances and Breakthrough Roles

Colin made her film debut in the 1986 teen romantic drama Pretty in Pink, directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes, in which she played a school staff member. That same year, she appeared in Jonathan Demme’s Something Wild as Irene, the romantic partner of Ray Liotta's character.

In 1987, she added to her film résumé with supporting roles in Like Father Like Son and the hit comedy 3 Men and a Baby. These roles contributed to her growing presence in Hollywood, although her most prominent successes would come from her television work.

Notable Television Roles

Beyond daytime drama, Colin continued to build a respected career in primetime television. She took on a variety of guest and recurring roles, including appearances on Chicago Hope (1994) and The Wright Verdicts (1995). Her consistent work in television established her as a versatile and dependable performer.