Iconic '80s actress who starred with Blake Lively and Brad Pitt battles NYC snowstorm on rare outing, who is she?

This actress has an incredible resume in Hollywood as she has popped up in many blockbusters.

The brunette came to fame playing Margo Hughes on the soap opera As the World Turns from 1980 until 1983.

Then she had a massive hit on her hands opposite Will Smith in the 1996 film Independence Day. She played White House Communications Director Constance Spano.

She also had a role opposite Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford in The Devil's Own in 1997. 

A decade later she landed the recurring role as Eleanor Waldorf alongside Blake Lively in the first five seasons of Gossip Girl, from 2007 to 2012.

The thespian has also shared scenes with Katie Holmes, Molly Ringwald, Tom Selleck and Demi Moore

Who is this actress? 

This actress has an incredible resume in Hollywood as she has popped up in many blockbusters. She worked opposite Will Smith in the 1996 film Independence Day. Who is this actress?

This actress has an incredible resume in Hollywood as she has popped up in many blockbusters. She worked opposite Will Smith in the 1996 film Independence Day. Who is this actress?

She also had a role opposite Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford in The Devil's Own in 1997. A decade later she landed the recurring role as Eleanor Waldorf alongside Blake Lively in the first five seasons of Gossip Girl, from 2007 to 2012

She also had a role opposite Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford in The Devil's Own in 1997. A decade later she landed the recurring role as Eleanor Waldorf alongside Blake Lively in the first five seasons of Gossip Girl, from 2007 to 2012

She is Margaret Colin, 67.

The star was seen in a black coat, red fur hat, gray scarf and sensible black boots as she raved the cold weather on the snow-lined streets of New York City on Monday.

Colin was raised in on Long Island in New York and was educated at Baldwin Senior High School then Hofstra University.

Colin began her acting career in the soap opera The Edge of Night, playing an heiress and former terrorist. 

Next came another soaper, As the World Turns, where she played Margo Montgomery.

She graduated to prime time with Magnum PI, Chicago Hope, Now and Again, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Movie roles came next as she had small parts in a number of hit films.

She played an English teach opposite Molly Ringwald in the teen hit from 1986, Pretty in Pink.

The star was seen in a black coat, red fur hat, gray scarf and sensible black boots as she raved the cold weather on the snow-lined streets of New York City on Monday

The star was seen in a black coat, red fur hat, gray scarf and sensible black boots as she raved the cold weather on the snow-lined streets of New York City on Monday

She is Margaret Colin, 67; seen in Now and Again in 1999

She is Margaret Colin, 67; seen in Now and Again in 1999

And then she had a role as Irene with Melanie Griffith in 1986's Something Wild before starring as Rebecca in 1987's Three Men and a Baby.

Colin worked with Demi Moore in the dud 1991 movie The Butcher's Wife. 

Then came her hit 1996 sci-fi bonanza Independence Day. A year later she was in the Brad Pitt movie The Devil's Own as Sheila O'Meara.

She had another high-profile film on her hands as she played Melanie MacKenzie in 2004's First Daughter opposite Katie Holmes, who was hot off Dawson's Creek.

From 2007 to 2012, Colin played the recurring role of Eleanor Waldorf, mother of Blair Waldorf, on the teen drama television series Gossip Girl.

Bill Pullman, Colin, Robert Loggia in 1996's Independence Day

Bill Pullman, Colin, Robert Loggia in 1996's Independence Day

The beauty in 1997 with Harrison Ford in The Devil's Own

The beauty in 1997 with Harrison Ford in The Devil's Own

Colin, Katie Holmes, Michael Keaton in 2004's First Daughter

Colin, Katie Holmes, Michael Keaton in 2004's First Daughter

Back in 2010, Margaret opened up about her Gossip Girl role, reflecting on what made her character tick.

‘My favorite quality about her is that she sees the world from her own unique perspective,’ she told Hollywood The Write Way.

‘She’s self-centered so I can’t wait to fully grasp the opportunities that are left for her. She is the star of her own world and that’s my favorite quality about her.’

The actress also gushed about her co-star.

‘I just love working with Leighton (Meester). She is a brilliant singer and her acting is fantastic. 

With Eric Close on Now And Again

With Eric Close on Now And Again

Her TV resurgence came with Gossip Girl, where she played Blair Waldorf¿s stylish, sharp-tongued mother, Eleanor, from 2007 to 2012

Her TV resurgence came with Gossip Girl, where she played Blair Waldorf’s stylish, sharp-tongued mother, Eleanor, from 2007 to 2012

Colin with her husband Justin Deas in 2014

Colin with her husband Justin Deas in 2014

'I completely adore working with her. If I could just keep working with her, that would be fine.'

The star then was seen in Blue Bloods, Nurse Jackie, The Good Wife and Madam Secretary.

In 2017, Colin appeared as a recurring character throughout the sixth season of the HBO comedy series Veep, playing fictional CBS News anchor Jane McCabe.

Her last film saw her play Barbara Brenner in 2025's Three Wisest Men.

Colin met actor Justin Deas when he played her love interest, Tom Hughes, on As the World Turns. 

They were married in January 1988 and have two sons, Sam and Joe.

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