Kate Mara’s acting resume reads like a who’s who of the Hollywood elite. Mara’s worked with Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Matthew McConaghy, and Mark Wahlberg, among others. Her work in films including, Brokeback Mountain and We Are Marshall have earned her great reviews. Mara is best known for her role as crusading investigative reporter Zoe Barnes on the Netflix drama, House of Cards. But football fans should recognize Kate’s last name and her sister’s first name Rooney. Kate Mara comes from a proud lineage of the founding fathers of the modern NFL.
She spoke to ESPN’s Page 2 about her famous family ties. When asked who was her favorite all-time Giant and all-time Steeler, she said, That’s tough because there have been so many great and nice players over the years. But I would have to say [Lawrence Taylor] as I was always in awe of him as a kid. I like Hines Ward as he’s not only a great player but a great guy in the community.
Mara Is NFL Royalty
Mara may have become the next “it” actor, but her first love will always be professional football. Kate and her sister Rooney are the daughters of NFL royalty. Kate’s mother, Kathleen McNulty Mara’s side of the family are the founders of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her father Timothy Christopher Mara, is the son of New York Giants co-owner Wellington Mara and grandson of Giants’ founder, Tim Mara.
If you are counting her family’s teams have won five Super Bowls since 2006. Mara told GQ “We dressed up for Giants games like we were dressing up for church,” she says. “It’s our family business.” What about the less-than-stellar seasons both teams just had? “It was bound to happen. It’s been too amazing. Of course, losing sucked.” It’s lean times for Giants, but Kate Mara can always be proud of her NFL lineage. For the full GQ interview and more images from her shoot, click here.