Jeanne Marie Tripplehorn was born on June 10, 1963, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her interest in performing was sparked by her father, Tom Tripplehorn, a guitarist who recorded with Gary Lewis & The Playboys. Jeanne graduated from Edison High School and began her career as a local radio and TV host.
She was educated at the University of Tulsa and the drama division of The Juilliard School in New York City. Jeanne made her major TV debut in a supporting role in The Perfect Tribute (1991) and then appeared in Paul Verhoeven's thriller Basic Instinct (1992) alongside Michael Douglas.
In 1993, Jeanne replaced a pregnant Robin Wright in the role of Tom Cruise's wife in the box-office smash The Firm. She went on to work with top actors in films such as Waterworld (1995),Sliding Doors (1998),and Mickey Blue Eyes (1999).
Jeanne's versatility was showcased in her roles in films like Timecode (2000),Steal This Movie (2000),and Relative Values (2000). On stage, she made her Broadway bow in Anton Chekhov's "The Three Sisters" and appeared off-Broadway in John Patrick Shanley's "The Big Funk".
Jeanne was engaged to actor/writer Ben Stiller in the 1990s, but the relationship ended after six years. In 2000, she married actor Leland Orser, with whom she appeared in several films and TV movies. They have one son, August Tripplehorn Orser, born in 2002.
Jeanne's career on TV has seen a resurgence in recent years, with notable roles in Big Love (2006),Grey Gardens (2009),Criminal Minds (2005),and Mrs. America (2020). She has also appeared in a range of films, including The Amateurs (2005),Winged Creatures (2008),and Ana (2020).