Her father, John Madigan, is a noted Chicago area lawyer who appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" (1947).

Graduated from Marquette University with a degree in philosophy.

In The Dark Half, her character shares scenes with a character named "Alan Pangborn" (played by Michael Rooker). The character of Alan Pangborn returned in Needful Things, and this time was played by her real life husband, Ed Harris.

She married Ed Harris after they worked together on the film Places in the Heart (1984) in which they played a couple having an affair.

One child: Lily Dolores Harris was born 3 May 1993.

Studied acting with Lee Strasberg.

Amy, along with husband Ed Harris, were among a strong minority of attendees of the 2000 Acadamy Awards who refused to applaud during director Elia Kazan's acceptance of his honorary Oscar. They were protesting Kazan's contribution to the Hollywood blacklisting during the Cold War.

Sang and played piano in a rock band before she started acting. She was, for a time, the lead singer of the group Big Daddy.

Appeared with husband Ed Harris in 6 movies: Alamo Bay (1985), Gone Baby Gone (2007), Places in the Heart (1984), Pollock (2000), Winter Passing (2005) and Just a Dream (2002).

She won a Drama Logue Award for starring the Los Angeles Theater Center production of "Stevie Wants To Play The Blues".