<P> Claire Hale Underwood is originally from the exclusive Highland Park enclave of Dallas , Texas . Her late father was a major Texas Republican . While at Radcliffe College in Cambridge , she met Francis J. Underwood , a Harvard Law student from South Carolina . She is from a wealthy family , and the show characterizes her as a `` Dallas Debutante '' and `` Lily White '' . She recounts her father 's taking her to Dealey Plaza , where John F. Kennedy was assassinated , and that it made her feel `` so sad , so angry '' . She has a difficult relationship with her mother , Elizabeth Hale ( Ellen Burstyn ) , who despises Frank and is disappointed in Claire for marrying him . </P>
<P> Claire Hale Underwood is originally from the exclusive Highland Park enclave of Dallas , Texas . Her late father was a major Texas Republican . While at Radcliffe College in Cambridge , she met Francis J. Underwood , a Harvard Law student from South Carolina . She is from a wealthy family , and the show characterizes her as a `` Dallas Debutante '' and `` Lily White '' . She recounts her father 's taking her to Dealey Plaza , where John F. Kennedy was assassinated , and that it made her feel `` so sad , so angry '' . She has a difficult relationship with her mother , Elizabeth Hale ( Ellen Burstyn ) , who despises Frank and is disappointed in Claire for marrying him . </P>
who plays claire underwood 's mom on house of cards
who plays claire underwood 's mom on house of cards
Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn