Celebrity Nooz: Sela Ward

Sela Ward (Actress) - Sisters

Updated: 3/15/12

Name: Sela Ward

Born: July 11, 1956, Meridian, Mississippi

Claim To Fame: She is best known for her television roles as Teddy Reed on the American TV series Sisters (1991?96) and as Lily Manning on Once and Again (1999?2002).

Family Life: She has been married to Howard Sherman, a venture capitalist, since 1992. They have two children, Austin (born 1994) and Anabella (born 1998).

Info: Ward began modeling while working in New York City as a storyboard artist for multimedia presentations. She was soon recruited by the Wilhelmina agency and landed spots in television commercials promoting Maybelline cosmetics. Her first film role was in 1983's The Man Who Loved Women, starring Burt Reynolds.

She played variations on the same character in films and television appearances throughout the 1980s, until she won the role of the bohemian alcoholic Teddy Reed on Sisters, for which she received her first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994.

In 1995, she portrayed the late television journalist Jessica Savitch in the TV movie Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story, for which she earned a CableACE award. Also that year, she developed and produced a documentary, The Changing Face of Beauty, about American obsession with youth and its effect on women. This was in response to being turned down for a Bond girl role because the casting director said "What we really want is Sela, but Sela ten years ago".

Ward became the commercial spokesperson for Sprint's long distance telephone service from 1999 until 2002, succeeding actress Candice Bergen. She then won the role of Lily Brooks Manning on the series Once and Again, which would earn her a second lead actress Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for her efforts.

In 2004, she appeared in the TV movie Suburban Madness in the role of private investigator Bobbi Bacha. Also that year, she appeared in the hit film The Day After Tomorrow. In 2005, she began a recurring role on the series House as Stacy Warner, the hospital's former attorney who is also the ex-partner of Dr. Gregory House.

Trivia: Once dated Bob Baumhower, an All-America defensive tackle for coach Bear Bryant's football team.

A business district portion of 22nd Avenue in Meridian (from 6th Street to the Interstate 20 highway interchange) has been named the "Sela Ward Parkway" in her honor.

Published her autobiography, Homesick: A Memoir, through HarperCollins' ReganBooks imprint in 2002.

She has a younger sister, Jenna, and two brothers, Brock and Granberry (Berry) III.

Attended the University of Alabama.

At the University of Alabama, she performed as one of the Crimson Tide cheerleaders, was homecoming queen, joined Chi Omega sorority, and double-majored in art and advertising.

Was originally offered both the role of Megan Donner on CSI: Miami and Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives, but turned both down.

Where Are They Now: In 2009, she had a role in the film The Stepfather. In July 2010, Ward signed on to appear in the crime series CSI: NY, in the role of investigator Jo Danville. Also in 2010, she performed the voice-over narration for Crest toothpaste commercials.

In 2002, she opened the Hope Village for Children in her home that is meant to be an emergency shelter for those awaiting placement in foster homes. Hope Village currently has a capacity for 44 residents and serves an average of 200 children per year.

Write To Sela Ward:
Sela Ward
289 S. Robertson Blvd. #469
Beverly Hills, CA 90211-2834

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