Maria Shriver is an American actress and musician. She has played various characters both on and off screen most notably as the cynical and sultry FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the television series The X Files. Her other notable roles include the sexy nurse Iris Merideth in the remake of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, the cynical reporter Annalise Dalmatia in the sci-fi movie Alive And Well and the cynical government agent Alice in the BBC adaptation of Dare Dawn. In addition to her film and theatre credits, Maria has also provided voice acting work for some animated television series, including the Batman: The Brave and the Bold and the animated TV series Family Guy. She is best known, however, for her role as the cynical, sultry FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the television series The X Files.
There are a number of theories regarding her real heritage. Some believe that she is part Scotian and half Jewish. According to this belief, she was born in Hawaii and raised there with her biological father, who died in a plane crash at sea. Her younger half-brother, Michael Shafer, is said to be the most likely candidate to have been born in Hawaii. However, this remains to be verified by biographers and records.
Height and nationality have been linked in the past, with some believing that Maria might be of Scottish or Irish decent. Regardless of her true background, it is clear that the character of Maria Shriver is of Scottish or Irish descent. Her great-grandmother was of Irish decent and may have been the woman that gave birth to Shriver, although this has never been confirmed.