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Entertainment • Actor

Téa Leoni

Téa Leoni is an American actress and producer.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Téa Leoni is an American actress and producer. She is known for her film roles in *Bad Boys*, *Deep Impact*, *The Family Man*, *Jurassic Park III*, *Spanglish*, and *Fun with Dick and Jane*, and for starring as Elizabeth McCord in the television series *Madam Secretary*.

Early life

Téa Leoni was born Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni in New York City on February 25, 1966. Available biographical sources identify her as American and note her New York upbringing.

Film career

Leoni’s film breakthrough came with *Bad Boys* in 1995, followed by leading roles in major films such as *Deep Impact* and *The Family Man*. Her later film credits also include *Jurassic Park III*, *Spanglish*, and *Fun with Dick and Jane*.

Television career

Leoni appeared in television work early in her career, including *Flying Blind* and *The Naked Truth*, and later returned to major TV success with *Madam Secretary*. She played Elizabeth McCord in the CBS series from 2014 to 2019.

Public roles

Sources identify Leoni as a UNICEF ambassador for the United States, beginning in 2001. This has made her a recognizable public figure beyond acting.

Key facts

  • Leoni’s breakout film role was in *Bad Boys* (1995).
  • She later had leading roles in several studio films, including *Deep Impact* (1998), *The Family Man* (2000), *Jurassic Park III* (2001), *Spanglish* (2004), and *Fun with Dick and Jane* (2005).
  • She starred as Elizabeth McCord in the CBS political drama *Madam Secretary*, which ran from 2014 to 2019.
  • Her birth name is Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni.
  • She has been identified as a U.S. UNICEF Ambassador since 2001.
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Canadian context

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources, though Canadian viewers may know her from internationally distributed film and television roles.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Téa Leoni?
Téa Leoni is an American actress and producer known for film and television roles, especially *Bad Boys* and *Madam Secretary*.
What is Téa Leoni’s birth name?
Her birth name is Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni.
When was Téa Leoni born?
She was born on February 25, 1966.
What is Téa Leoni best known for?
She is best known for *Bad Boys*, *Deep Impact*, *The Family Man*, and *Madam Secretary*.
What role did Téa Leoni play in Madam Secretary?
She starred as Elizabeth McCord, the central character in the CBS political drama *Madam Secretary*.
Has Téa Leoni done humanitarian work?
A source identifies her as a U.S. UNICEF ambassador since 2001.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9a_Leoni
    Supports: Career highlights, *Madam Secretary*, major film roles, and television credits.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9a_Leoni
    Supports: Birth date, birth place, birth name, and UNICEF ambassador role.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000495/bio/
    Supports: Birth date, birth place, and birth name.
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9a_Leoni
    Supports: Birth name, nationality, occupation, and birth information.
  5. TV Insider — https://www.tvinsider.com/people/tea-leoni/
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, spouses, and child count.