Margaret Qualley has built a career that moves between indie dramas, prestige television, and blockbuster sequels, all while navigating public curiosity about her famous family. Born to actress Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley, she first appeared on screen in 2013 and has since drawn attention for roles in The Leftovers and Maid, as well as her 2023 marriage to producer Jack Antonoff. This profile draws on verified biographical data and multiple editorial sources to provide a grounded look at her life, work, and the conversations that surround her.
Last checked: 2026-07-10
Full name: Sarah Margaret Qualley · Born: October 23, 1994 in Kalispell, Montana, USA · Parents: Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley · Spouse: Jack Antonoff (married 2023) · Notable works: The Substance, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Novitiate · Instagram handle: @sarahmargaretqualley23
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-10.
Sources reviewed: Encyclopaedia Britannica, People magazine, Wikipedia, Forbes, IMDb, ScreenDollars, social media platforms, and news articles.
No original interview or on-set visit was conducted, and we did not independently verify financial data.
Snapshot: Margaret Qualley at a glance
- Born October 23, 1994 (age 30–31) in Kalispell, Montana. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and former model/rancher Paul Qualley. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Married musician Jack Antonoff on August 19, 2023 in New Jersey. (People)
- Appeared in Happy Gilmore 2 (released July 25, 2025 on Netflix) alongside Adam Sandler. (Forbes)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sarah Margaret Qualley |
| Born | October 23, 1994 in Kalispell, Montana, USA |
| Parents | Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley |
| Spouse | Jack Antonoff (married 2023) |
| Notable works | The Substance, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Novitiate |
| Instagram handle | @sarahmargaretqualley23 |
Quick stats: Age gap with husband Jack Antonoff: 10 years (born 1984 and 1994). Instagram followers: 2 million. Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm). Birth year: 1994.
Is Margaret Qualley LGBTQ?
Qualley has not publicly labeled her sexual orientation in any editorial interview. She was previously linked to musician Nathaniel Rateliff, and in 2021 she began dating Jack Antonoff, whom she married in August 2023. No credible source has reported that Qualley identifies as LGBTQ, and she has not made a public statement on the matter. The bottom line: Based on available public records, Qualley is married to a man and has not addressed the question directly; any speculation remains unconfirmed.
Why is Margaret Qualley a nepo baby?
The term “nepo baby” entered mainstream discourse in 2022–2023 to describe children of celebrities who benefit from family connections in Hollywood. Qualley’s mother, Andie MacDowell, is a well-known actress (star of Groundhog Day, Four Weddings and a Funeral), and her father, Paul Qualley, was a model before becoming a rancher. People magazine described Qualley as “destined for Hollywood” because of her parentage.
Qualley herself has acknowledged the privilege in interviews: “I definitely had a leg up,” she told The Guardian in 2021. She also trained as a ballet dancer before pivoting to acting, which she has cited as a separate discipline that helped her earn roles. Britannica notes that her breakout came through an audition for The Leftovers—a role she got on her own merit, though the door was already open. The trade-off: While her parentage gave her access and visibility, Qualley has consistently worked in ensemble casts and independent projects, building a résumé that now includes more than a dozen film and TV credits independent of her mother.
“Margaret Qualley was destined for Hollywood.”
— People magazine staff writer
Did Margaret Qualley attend Taylor Swift’s wedding?
The question likely arises from Taylor Swift’s attendance at Qualley’s own wedding in 2023. Swift, a longtime collaborator of Qualley’s husband Jack Antonoff, was among the guests at the Long Beach Island ceremony. However, there is no public evidence that Qualley attended Swift’s wedding. Swift married Joe Alwyn in a private ceremony (details are scant), and Qualley was not reported among the attendees. The two are known to be friends: Swift has invited Qualley to events, and Antonoff’s musical partnership with Swift is well documented. The pattern: The confusion appears to be a reverse attribution—people assume a mutual attendance that the record does not support.
Who is Margaret Qualley in Happy Gilmore 2?
In the 2025 Netflix sequel Happy Gilmore 2, Qualley plays a character named Sally. The role was confirmed by Forbes in a July 2025 article, which noted that Qualley “joined the ensemble cast as Sally.” She described herself as “one of Adam Sandler’s biggest fans” in a Today show interview and joked that she is not good at golf. The film was released on July 25, 2025, and reunites many original cast members alongside new additions. Given her comedic timing shown in The Nice Guys and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, Sally is expected to be a lighthearted supporting character. What to watch: Qualley’s role in a mainstream comedy sequel marks a deliberate shift after the intense horror of The Substance, demonstrating her range.
Margaret Qualley Specs
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Margaret Qualley |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) – per IMDb |
| Age | Born 1994 (as of 2025, she is 30 or 31) |
| Notable Film | The Substance (2024, Cannes Best Screenplay) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Jack Antonoff (2023) |
| Parents | Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley |
Comparable Actresses
Qualley is often grouped with other children of famous actors who are building their own careers. Below is a comparison of three such figures.
| Attribute | Margaret Qualley | Maya Hawke | Lily-Rose Depp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth year | 1994 | 1998 | 1999 |
| Notable break | The Leftovers (2014) | Stranger Things (2019) | The King (2019) |
| Famous parent | Andie MacDowell | Uma Thurman & Ethan Hawke | Johnny Depp & Vanessa Paradis |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in | 5 ft 9 in | 5 ft 6 in |
| Spouse/Partner | Jack Antonoff (married) | Not married | Past relationship with Timothée Chalamet |
All three share the experience of having a famous parent and have faced similar “nepo baby” scrutiny. Qualley’s trajectory most closely mirrors Hawke’s: both have pursued a mix of indie films and streaming projects while deliberately building a separate identity from their mothers.
Where to start exploring her filmography
Our pick for new viewers: Begin with Maid (2021), the Netflix limited series in which Qualley plays a young mother escaping domestic abuse. The role earned her an Emmy nomination and showcases her ability to carry a story. For a quicker taste, watch Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood for her brief but memorable part as a member of the Manson family. Then move to The Substance to see her lean into body horror. Film buffs will appreciate Novitiate and Drive-Away Dolls as further evidence of her range.
Key Milestones in Margaret Qualley’s Life
- – Born in Kalispell, Montana. (Britannica)
- – Acting debut in Palo Alto.
- – Regular role on HBO’s The Leftovers.
- – Leads Maid on Netflix, co-starring with mother Andie MacDowell.
- – Marries Jack Antonoff in New Jersey, attended by Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey. (People)
- – Releases The Substance, Drive-Away Dolls, Kinds of Kindness.
- – Happy Gilmore 2 debuts on Netflix. (Forbes)
The timeline shows a steady climb from ensemble TV to leading roles, with a clear acceleration in 2024–2025 alongside a high-profile personal life.
Related reading: Maya Hawke Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography & Life
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Margaret Qualley’s most famous movie?
Based on critical acclaim and awards, The Substance (2024) won the Best Screenplay prize at Cannes and is often cited as her most notable film. Maid (2021) is her most prominent television role.
How old is Margaret Qualley?
Born October 23, 1994. As of August 2025, she is 30 years old; she will turn 31 in October 2025.
Who is Margaret Qualley’s mother?
Her mother is actress Andie MacDowell, known for Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. MacDowell appeared alongside Qualley in the Netflix series Maid.
Did Margaret Qualley appear in The Substance?
Yes, she stars opposite Demi Moore in the 2024 body-horror film The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat. The film premiered at Cannes and won the Best Screenplay award.
Is Margaret Qualley related to any other celebrities?
No other immediate celebrity relatives beyond her mother Andie MacDowell and her father Paul Qualley (former model). Her marriage to Jack Antonoff connects her to the music industry, but she has no blood relation to other actors.
What is Margaret Qualley’s Instagram handle?
Her verified Instagram account is @sarahmargaretqualley23. As of 2025, she has about 2 million followers.
When did Margaret Qualley marry Jack Antonoff?
They married on August 19, 2023, in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Guests included Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Channing Tatum.