Sela Ward
Biography
Sela Ward, born July 11, 1956 in Meridian, Mississippi, is an American actress, producer, author, and former model. She moved to California to pursue acting, securing her first film role in the 1983 Burt Reynolds picture The Man Who Loved Women. That same year she obtained her first regular television role as a socialite on the CBS drama Emerald Point N.A.S., starring Dennis Weaver. Throughout the 1980s she appeared in guest spots on both television and film, including a supporting part opposite Tom Hanks in the 1986 movie Nothing in Common. In 1991 she was cast as Teddy Reed on the series Sisters, a performance that earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994. Her credited work includes over fifty film and television appearances.
Career overview
Sela Ward was born on July 11 1956 in Meridian, Mississippi. After working as a model, she relocated to California to pursue an acting career. Her first feature‑film appearance came in 1983 when she was cast in the Burt Reynolds vehicle The Man Who Loved Women. That same year she secured her first regular television role, portraying a socialite on the short‑lived CBS drama Emerald Point N.A.S., which was headlined by Dennis Weaver.
Throughout the remainder of the 1980s Ward built a steady résumé of guest appearances in both television series and movies. A notable credit from that period is her supporting role opposite Tom Hanks in the 1986 film Nothing in Common. In addition to acting, she has undertaken work as a producer and author, expanding her involvement in the entertainment industry beyond performance.
In 1991 Ward was cast as Teddy Reed in the television series Sisters. Her portrayal earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994, marking her first Emmy recognition. Over the course of her career she has accumulated more than fifty credited roles in film and television, establishing herself as a prominent American actress with a background that also includes modeling, producing, and writing.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- The Rookie (2018) as Joy Bradford
- FBI (2018) as Dana Mosier
- Westworld (2016) as Juliet
- Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) as President Lanford
- Graves (2016) as Margaret Graves
- Gone Girl (2014) as Sharon Schieber
- Delirium (2014)
- The Talk (2010) as Self
- The Stepfather (2009) as Susan Harding
- The Megan Mullally Show (2006) as Self - Guest
- The Guardian (2006) as Helen Randall
- House (2004) as Stacy Warner
- CSI: NY (2004) as Jo Danville
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest (2004) as Self
- The Day After Tomorrow (2004) as Dr. Lucy Hall
- Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004) as Jeannie Miller
- Suburban Madness (2004) as Bobbi Bacha
- The Badge (2002) as Carla Hardwick
- Catch a Falling Star (2000) as Sydney Clarke
- Catch a Falling Star (2000) Executive Producer
- Once and Again (1999) as Lily Manning
- Runaway Bride (1999) as Pretty Bar Woman
- Passion's Way (1999) as Anna Leath
- 54 (1998) as Billie Auster
- The View (1997) as Self
- The New Batman Adventures (1997) as Calendar Girl / Page Monroe (voice)
- Rescuers: Stories of Courage - Two Women (1997) as Marie-Rose Gineste (segment "Woman on a Bicycle")
- My Fellow Americans (1996) as Kaye Griffin
- Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story (1995) as Jessica Savitch
- Frasier (1993) as Kelly Easterbrook
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- The Fugitive (1993) as Helen Kimble
- Killer Rules (1993) as Dorothy Wade
- Double Jeopardy (1992) as Karen Hart
- Sisters (1991) as Theodora 'Teddy' Reed
- Child of Darkness, Child of Light (1991) as Sister Anne McBain
- Rainbow Drive (1990) as Laura Demming
- Christine Cromwell (1989)
- The Haunting of Sarah Hardy (1989) as Sarah York
- Bridesmaids (1989) as Caryl
- Hello Again (1987) as Kim Lacey
- Cameo by Night (1987) as Jennifer / Cameo
- Steele Justice (1987) as Tracy
- The King of Love (1987) as Annie Larkspur
- L.A. Law (1986) as Lynette Pierce
- Nothing in Common (1986) as Cheryl Ann Wayne
- Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985) as Colonel's Daughter
- Night Court (1984) as Heather
- Emerald Point N.A.S. (1983) as Hilary Adams
- The Man Who Loved Women (1983) as Janet Wainwright
- Hotel (1982)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Woman in Fur Coat (uncredited)