Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Margaret Qualley |
| Age | 31 (born October 23, 1994) |
| Date of Birth | October 23, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Kalispell, Montana, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in – 5 ft 9 in (173–175 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 123–126 lbs (56–57 kg) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Dancer |
| Estimated Net Worth | $3 million (as of 2026) |
Introduction
Margaret Qualley has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most compelling young talents, carving a path that transcends the shadow of her famous mother, actress Andie MacDowell. With a career that spans critically acclaimed television performances, blockbuster films, and an impressive modeling portfolio, Margaret Qualley has proven herself to be far more than a “nepo baby.” From her early days as a ballet dancer to her breakout roles in HBO’s The Leftovers and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Margaret Qualley has consistently demonstrated remarkable range and depth. Her recent Golden Globe-nominated performance in The Substance has cemented her status as one of the most exciting actresses of her generation.
Early Life and Family Background
Born Sarah Margaret Qualley on October 23, 1994, in Kalispell, Montana, Margaret Qualley entered the world with show business in her blood. Her mother is the renowned actress and model Andie MacDowell, celebrated for iconic roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Groundhog Day. Her father, Paul Qualley, is a former model who later worked as a musician, contractor, and rancher.
Margaret Qualley spent her earliest years on a sprawling 457-acre ranch in Missoula, Montana. When she was four, the family relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, to be closer to MacDowell’s family. However, her parents divorced when Margaret Qualley was just five years old, and she spent her time living between both parents.
Despite her mother’s fame, Margaret Qualley enjoyed what she describes as a “somewhat normal life”. She attended regular schools, had normal friends, and grew up loving Southern staples like grits, sweet tea, and Waffle House. “It’s weird. I’m really lucky. It was a strange thing, but then I did go to a normal school, [had] normal friends and have a somewhat normal life,” Margaret Qualley recalled.
Margaret Qualley has two older siblings: brother Justin, who works as a Montana real estate agent, and sister Rainey Qualley, a musician and actress. She has described her sister Rainey as her “first soulmate”. Growing up, Margaret Qualley would occasionally accompany her mother to film sets, meeting stars like Gérard Depardieu along the way.
Education and Dance Training
Margaret Qualley’s early passion was not acting but dance. She started dancing at a young age, competing in jazz competitions across the state. In her early teens, she transitioned to ballet, which she felt was “much more respected”.
At just 14 years old, Margaret Qualley left home to board at the prestigious University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied dance. Her talent earned her an apprenticeship at the renowned American Ballet Theatre. At 15, she attended a summer program at the American Ballet Theatre in New York.
However, Margaret Qualley ultimately realized her heart was no longer in ballet. She decided to stay in New York City and complete her high school education at the Professional Children’s School, supporting herself through modeling. She wrote her mother a letter explaining her decision to leave dance, already having lined up several modeling jobs.
Later, Margaret Qualley attended a summer program at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and briefly enrolled at New York University before leaving after one semester to pursue acting professionally.
Career Journey
Modeling Beginnings
Margaret Qualley began modeling at age 16, making her runway debut at New York Fashion Week walking for Alberta Ferretti in 2011. She soon walked for Valentino and Chanel during Paris Fashion Week. Her modeling career flourished with appearances on the covers and editorials of Vogue, Teen Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair, W, Paper, and Interview. She has appeared in advertising campaigns for Kenzo, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Celine, and numerous campaigns for Chanel, for which she was named a brand ambassador in 2020.
Acting Debut and Breakthrough
Margaret Qualley’s acting career began almost by accident. At 18, while visiting her then-boyfriend Nat Wolff on the California set of Palo Alto, director Gia Coppola spotted her and cast her as Raquel in the 2013 drama film. This serendipitous moment launched Margaret Qualley into the world of acting.
Her breakthrough came in 2014 when Margaret Qualley landed a starring role on the HBO drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017), playing Jill Garvey, the daughter of Justin Theroux’s character. The role brought her widespread recognition and established her as a rising talent in television.
Film Career Takes Off
During breaks from The Leftovers, Margaret Qualley expanded her filmography with notable roles. In 2016, she played Amelia Kuttner in The Nice Guys, starring opposite Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. The same year, she starred in a viral Kenzo World perfume commercial directed by Spike Jonze, where her wild, frenetic dance performance garnered over nine million views on YouTube.
In 2017, Margaret Qualley appeared in Novitiate as a young nun opposite Melissa Leo, and in Death Note, a Netflix adaptation of the manga series. She also starred in The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (2018) alongside Logan Lerman.
Hollywood Stardom
Margaret Qualley’s career reached new heights in 2019 with two major projects. First, she portrayed dancer Ann Reinking in the FX biographical miniseries Fosse/Verdon. Growing up idolizing Reinking, Margaret Qualley considered the role deeply personal. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
Also in 2019, Margaret Qualley appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Pussycat, a member of the Manson Family who lures Brad Pitt’s character to Spahn Ranch. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $370 million worldwide, and Margaret Qualley received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination along with the ensemble cast.
Margaret Qualley also contributed her likeness and voice to the critically acclaimed video game Death Stranding (2019) and its sequel Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025).
Critical Acclaim: Maid
In 2021, Margaret Qualley delivered what many consider her finest performance to date in the Netflix limited series Maid. She played Alex Russell, a young mother fleeing an abusive relationship and struggling to survive as a housekeeper. The role earned Margaret Qualley a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, as well as a second Primetime Emmy nomination. Notably, Margaret Qualley shared the screen with her real-life mother, Andie MacDowell, who played her character’s mother in the series.
Recent Success: Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, and The Substance
Margaret Qualley continued her ascent by joining Yorgos Lanthimos’s acclaimed films Poor Things (2023) and Kinds of Kindness (2024).
However, her most talked-about role came in 2024’s body horror film The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat. Margaret Qualley played Sue, a younger, “perfect” version of Demi Moore’s aging television fitness instructor. The role required intense physical preparation, including months of weight training and aerobics. Margaret Qualley earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performance.
Upcoming Projects
Margaret Qualley shows no signs of slowing down. She has several exciting projects in the pipeline, including The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film directed by Ridley Scott starring opposite Jacob Elordi. She will also appear in the romantic drama Love of Your Life, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2026, and Possession, a remake of the cult 1981 horror film directed by Parker Finn. Additionally, Margaret Qualley is set to star in King Snake, a Southern gothic supernatural horror film directed by Jeff Nichols.
Personal Life and Family
Margaret Qualley has generally kept her personal life private, though she has shared glimpses over the years. In 2021, she met music producer and musician Jack Antonoff at a party. Margaret Qualley described herself as “very love-oriented” and said she had “always been looking for my person, and I met Jack”. The couple got engaged in May 2022 and married in August 2023 in a star-studded ceremony on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The wedding was attended by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Channing Tatum, Zoë Kravitz, and Cara Delevingne, among others. Margaret Qualley wore a custom Chanel dress for the occasion.
Margaret Qualley has shared that she loves dancing, horses, the moon, and “happy crying”. She has expressed a desire to have children, saying “Yeah, for sure” when asked about starting a family. She also hopes to “die on a farm”.
In July 2026, reports emerged that Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff had separated after nearly three years of marriage. Margaret Qualley has addressed and shut down rumors surrounding the split.
Net Worth and Income Sources
As of 2026, Margaret Qualley’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through multiple income streams:
- Acting: Margaret Qualley has starred in numerous films and television series, including The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Maid, Poor Things, and The Substance. Many of these projects have been major box office successes.
- Modeling: Margaret Qualley has modeled for luxury brands including Chanel, Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and Celine. She has graced the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and numerous other publications.
- Brand Ambassadorships: Margaret Qualley has been a Chanel brand ambassador since 2020, representing the fashion house in campaigns and at red carpet events.
- Video Games: Margaret Qualley provided likeness and voice work for Death Stranding and its sequel.
Physical Appearance
Margaret Qualley stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches (173–175 cm) tall and weighs around 123–126 pounds (56–57 kg). She has light brown hair and blue eyes. Her body measurements are reported as approximately 33-24-33 inches (84-61-86 cm). Margaret Qualley maintains her fitness through dancing and regular training, which she has credited for helping her prepare for physically demanding roles like The Substance.
Interesting Facts About Margaret Qualley
- Her real name is Sarah: Margaret Qualley was born Sarah Margaret Qualley, but her modeling agency suggested she drop “Sarah” for professional purposes.
- She was a debutante: Margaret Qualley and her sister Rainey were both formally introduced to society at the prestigious Bal des débutantes in Paris.
- She danced in a viral Kenzo ad: Margaret Qualley’s wild dance performance in Spike Jonze’s Kenzo World commercial has over nine million views on YouTube.
- She grew up without a TV: Margaret Qualley has mentioned that she grew up without a television, giving her a somewhat unusual childhood.
- She sang a Charles Manson song: In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Margaret Qualley sang “I’ll Never Say Never to Always,” a song written by Charles Manson.
- Her sister was her “first soulmate”: Margaret Qualley has described her relationship with her sister Rainey as deeply important to her.
- She can’t drive stick shift: Margaret Qualley has admitted she still needs to learn how to drive a manual transmission car—her brother tried to teach her when she was 12, but “it didn’t land”.
- She trained intensely for The Substance: Margaret Qualley spent months lifting weights and training in aerobics to achieve the fitness level required for her role in The Substance.
- She has a partnership with Chanel: Margaret Qualley has been a Chanel ambassador since 2020 and wore custom Chanel to her wedding.
- She briefly attended NYU: Margaret Qualley enrolled at New York University but left after one semester to pursue acting professionally.
Conclusion
Margaret Qualley has successfully transformed from a ballet dancer into one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after actresses. From her early days on The Leftovers to her Emmy-nominated performance in Maid and her Golden Globe-nominated turn in The Substance, Margaret Qualley has consistently demonstrated remarkable range, depth, and commitment to her craft.
What sets Margaret Qualley apart is not just her talent but her willingness to take risks—whether dancing wildly in a perfume commercial, portraying a Manson Family member in a Tarantino film, or embodying the physical and emotional demands of body horror in The Substance. She has worked with some of the most celebrated directors in the industry, including Quentin Tarantino, Yorgos Lanthimos, Spike Jonze, and Ridley Scott.
With a slate of exciting upcoming projects, including The Dog Stars, Love of Your Life, Possession, and King Snake, Margaret Qualley’s star continues to rise. She has proven that she is far more than the daughter of a famous actress—Margaret Qualley is a formidable talent in her own right, and her best work may still be ahead of her.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Margaret Qualley?
Margaret Qualley was born on October 23, 1994, making her 31 years old as of 2026.
What is Margaret Qualley’s net worth?
Margaret Qualley’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million as of 2026.
What is Margaret Qualley famous for?
Margaret Qualley is famous for her roles in HBO’s The Leftovers, Netflix’s Maid (for which she received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, and the body horror film The Substance.
Who are Margaret Qualley’s parents?
Margaret Qualley is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley.
Is Margaret Qualley married?
Margaret Qualley married music producer Jack Antonoff in August 2023. The couple separated in July 2026.
Does Margaret Qualley have siblings?
Yes, Margaret Qualley has an older brother, Justin, and an older sister, Rainey Qualley, who is also an actress and musician.
What is Margaret Qualley’s height?
Margaret Qualley is approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches (173–175 cm) tall.
What upcoming projects does Margaret Qualley have?
Margaret Qualley’s upcoming projects include The Dog Stars (directed by Ridley Scott), Love of Your Life, Possession (a remake of the 1981 cult horror film), and King Snake.
Did Margaret Qualley train as a dancer?
Yes, Margaret Qualley trained as a ballet dancer from a young age and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Has Margaret Qualley won any awards?
Margaret Qualley has received multiple award nominations, including Primetime Emmy nominations for Fosse/Verdon and Maid, and Golden Globe nominations for Maid and The Substance.
Harvey Glen