- Suffered from chronic leukemia for 21 years before her death in 2010.
- Gave birth to her first child at age 38, daughter Lily Rabe, on 6/29/82. Child's father is her husband, David Rabe.
- Gave birth to her second child at age 41, son Michael Rabe on 7/13/85. Child's father is her husband, David Rabe.
- Upon her death she was cremated and her ashes are in the possession of the family.
- Ironically, she died from the same disease as a character she played in Griffin and Phoenix (1976). "Sarah Phoenix".
- Mother, Julia Clayburgh, was a former theatrical production secretary to David Merrick. Father, Albert Clayburgh, was an industrial textiles salesman.
- Graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1966 with a bachelor in theater.
- Turned down the role of Norma Rae (1979), which won Sally Field her first Oscar.
- Her first grandchild was born via daughter Lily Rabe in March 2017.
- Was two months pregnant with her son Michael Rabe when she completed filming on Where Are the Children? (1985).
- Her father was from a well-established Jewish family (from Germany, Portugal and France), with roots in the US going back to the 1700s. Her paternal great-great-great-grandfather, Maj. Benjamin Nones, fought in the American Revolution. Her mother had English, distant Welsh, and remote Dutch, ancestry.
- She studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village in New York City.
- Confirmed in 1991, along with several other actresses, that she had undergone an abortion prior to its legalization in America.
- Attended the prestigious Brearley School in Manhattan.
- Was among the first generation of 70's actresses--including Jane Fonda, Ellen Burstyn, Diane Keaton, Carrie Snodgress and Marsha Mason--known for portraying characters sprung from the New Age feminism era: smart, independent, capable, but often times neurotic. Her film decline coincided with the conservative Reagan administration and a loss of interest in the feminist movement.
- Daughter of Albert (1909-97) and Julia (née Dorr) Clayburgh (1910-75). Both were born and raised in New York.
- Sister of Jim Clayburgh.
- Paternal granddaughter of Albert (1863-1946), born in New York, and Alma (née Lachenbruch) Clayburgh (1881-1958), born in Pennsylvania.
- Paternal great-granddaughter of Emanuel (1818-77), born in Germany, and Eveline (née Nones) Clayburgh (1827-1912), born in New York.
- Stepmother of Jason Rabe.
- Romantically involved with Al Pacino (1967-72).
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