Jill Clayburgh's was born on April 30, 1944 in New York City.

In the late 1960s Jill Clayburgh had featured roles in a number of Broadway productions including THE ROTHSCHILDS and PIPPIN. Jill Clayburgh's first major film role was in PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT in 1972.

In 1978, Jill Clayburgh rose to screen prominence with her performance in AN UNMARRIED WOMAN for which she received an Oscar nomination. Jill Clayburgh was nominated again for the Academy Award in 1979 for her role in STARTING OVER.

Putting her career on hold to raise a family, Clayburgh was little-seen for several years, but has recently become more visible, in telefilms and such features as WHISPERS IN THE DARK (1992), RICH IN LOVE (1993), and NAKED IN NEW YORK (1994).