Sharon Lawrence

Last updated

Sharon Lawrence
Sharon Lawrence 2013.jpg
Lawrence in 2013
Born
Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence

(1961-06-29) June 29, 1961 (age 63)
Education University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active1987–present
Spouse
Tom Apostle
(m. 2002)

Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence [1] (born June 29, 1961) [2] is an American actress. From 1993 to 1999, she starred as Sylvia Costas in the ABC drama series, NYPD Blue . The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. [3] She received three additional Emmy Awards nominations for her later television performances.

Contents

After her NYPD Blue breakthrough, Lawrence starred in the sitcoms Fired Up (1997-98) and Ladies Man (1999-2001). she starred in the CBS supernatural drama Wolf Lake in 2001, and the CW teen drama Hidden Palms in 2007. Lawrence had notable recurring performances in Desperate Housewives , Drop Dead Diva , Rizzoli & Isles , The Ranch , Shameless and Queen Sugar . Her film credits include Gossip (2000), Middle of Nowhere (2012) and Solace (2015). In 2021, she starred in the Paramount+ neo-Western series, Joe Pickett .

Early life and education

Lawrence was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. [2] She moved from Charlotte to Raleigh in her junior year of high school and graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1983. [4]

Career

Lawrence began her acting career on Broadway in the 1987 revival of Cabaret . [4] In 1990, she performed in Fiddler on the Roof . [2] She appeared in a number of television movies and series in the 1990s, like Cheers and Star Trek: Voyager . In 1993 she was cast as Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Costas in the ABC police drama series NYPD Blue created by Steven Bochco. Her consistently praised performance earned the actress three Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominations from 1993 to 1996, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series in 1996. [4] In 1996 she left the show for her own comedy series Fired Up on NBC. [5] The series was canceled after two seasons. She later returned to NYPD Blue as a regular, and left the show in 1999, after her character was killed. [6]

Lawrence starred with Betty White and Alfred Molina on the short-lived sitcom Ladies Man from 1999 to 2001. [3] She played Velma Kelly in the Broadway musical Chicago in 2000. [2] She also had a series regular role on the CBS supernatural drama Wolf Lake from 2001 to 2002. [3] In film, she co-starred in Gossip (2000), Little Black Book (2004), and The Alibi (2006).

Lawrence with Lorraine Toussaint and Emayatzy Corinealdi at event of Middle of Nowhere in 2012 Middle of Nowhere cast2.jpg
Lawrence with Lorraine Toussaint and Emayatzy Corinealdi at event of Middle of Nowhere in 2012

Lawrence guest starred on many television dramas and sitcoms in the 2000s. She played Maisy Gibbons, a housewife/prostitute in season one of Desperate Housewives . She also appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit , Boston Legal , Monk , Curb Your Enthusiasm , The Mentalist , and Body of Proof . She starred in TV movie Atomic Twister as Corrine McGuire. She had a regular role on the short-lived CW teenage drama series Hidden Palms (2008), as Tess Wiatt, and was seen in the Canadian cable television drama The Line in 2009.

In 2009, Lawrence was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal as Izzie Stevens' mother on Grey's Anatomy . [4] [7] In April 2010, Lawrence joined Josh Schwartz's CBS pilot Hitched. [8] In October 2010, she began a recurring role on One Tree Hill as Sylvia Baker, the mother of Julian Baker (Austin Nichols) who comes to Tree Hill from Los Angeles to plan the upcoming wedding of Julian and Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush). She also played the lead character mother in a Lifetime comedy-drama Drop Dead Diva from 2009 to 2013. [9] Also, she played the birth mother of Dr. Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) in the TNT television series Rizzoli & Isles , although in real life the actresses are only 12 years apart. [10] In recent years, Lawrence has starred in several independent films. [11] In 2013 she was cast in Chris Carter's thriller drama series The After . [12] The show was set to premiere on Amazon Studios in 2014. [13] [14] [15] Amazon canceled the series before its premiere on January 5, 2015. [16] In March 2015, Lawrence was cast in the ABC comedy-drama pilot Mix. [17] [18]

In 2017, Lawrence starred in the CBS short-lived comedy series Me, Myself and I . The show premiered September 25 but aired only six episodes before the network pulled it from the schedule due to low ratings. [19] Also in 2017, she had a recurring role as Dawn-Lyen Gardner's character mother in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Queen Sugar and co-starred opposite Sam Elliott in the second season of Netflix comedy The Ranch . From 2016 to 2019 she had a recurring role as a real estate mogul Margo Mierzejewski in the Showtime comedy-drama series Shameless . Lawrence later had a recurring role as Laura Van Kirk on The CW prime time soap opera Dynasty starting in 2018, [20] and as Louise Garbeau on the Showtime comedy series On Becoming a God in Central Florida in 2019.

In 2021, Lawrence had recurring roles in Punky Brewster and Rebel . She later starred in the Paramount+ neo-Western series, Joe Pickett . [21]

Personal life

In 2002, Lawrence married Dr. Tom Apostle. [4] Their wedding was held at the Greek Orthodox church Saint Sophia, the same Los Angeles church in which her character, Sylvia Costas, in NYPD Blue married Detective Andy Sipowicz. [22] Lawrence has played on the World Poker Tour in the Hollywood Home and performed in benefits for the Alzheimer's Association in Los Angeles called Night at Sardi's and the What A Pair show for the John Wayne Breast Cancer Center.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994 Bloodfist V: Human Target Jewelry Store Clerk
1994In the Line of Duty: The Price of VengeanceUnknownTelevision film
1994Someone She KnowsSharonTelevision film
1994 The Shaggy Dog Beth DanielsTelevision film
1995 The Face on the Milk Carton Sada SandsTelevision film
1995 The Heidi Chronicles JillTelevision film
1995Degree of GuiltMary CarelliTelevision film
1996 A Friend's Betrayal Nina TalbertTelevision film
1996Victim of the Haunt: The UninvitedPattie JohnsonTelevision film
1997Five Desperate HoursClair BallardTelevision film
1997 The Only Thrill Joleen QuilletTelevision film
1999Blue MoonCass MedierosTelevision film
1999 Aftershock: Earthquake in New York Dori ThorellTelevision film
2000 Gossip Detective Kelly
2002 Atomic Twister Corrine MaguireTelevision film
2003 Word of Honor Marcy McClure TysonTelevision film
2003Fly CherryCherry's momShort film
2004 Little Black Book Stacy's mom
2004D-MinusSusanShort film
2005 Nearing Grace Mrs. AshUncredited
2005I?KarenShort Film
2006Augusta, GoneMartha Tod DudmanTelevision film
2006 The Alibi Judith Hatch
2006Fool Me OnceMaureenShort film
2011TalkerMaryShort film
2011 The Perfect Family Agnes Dunn
2012 Middle of Nowhere Fraine
2012The Nuclear FamilyKarenTelevision film
2012iVOTEMarniShort film
2012The VisitGinny (mother of Diana)Short film
2013 Jimmy Judge Robinson
2014 Born to Race 2: Fast Track Mrs. Dalton
2014ThinspirationDr. KleinTelevision film
2014 Grace. Sonia
2014Una Vida: A Fable Of Music and the MindAngela Cruz
2014Somebody's MotherAliceShort film
2014The Bridge PartnerOlivia KorhonenShort film
2015 Solace Mrs. Ellis
2015If I Could Tell YouSara LindaShort film
2016Hearts of ChristmasAlice ShelbyTelevision film
2017 Deidra & Laney Rob a Train Veronica
2017Anabolic LifeKatherine Stenson
2017HomeMargaret SullivanShort film
2017Penny & PaulBarbVoice, short film
2018Poinsettias for ChristmasKatherine PalmerTelevision film
2019Merry & BrightJoy MerriwetherTelevision film
2020 The Lost Husband Marsha
2020A Small Family AffairLorraine HellerShort film
2020Brothers Short film
2020 The Christmas House PhylisTelevision film
2021The Christmas House 2: Deck Those HallsPhylisTelevision film
2021 Grave Intentions Olivia Korhonen

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992 Civil Wars Norma HelmutzEpisode: "Drone of Arc"
1993 Beverly Hills, 90210 PauletteEpisode: "Parental Guidance Recommended"
1993 Cheers RachelEpisode: "The Guy Can't Help It"
1993–1999 NYPD Blue Sylvia CostasSeries regular; 99 episodes
1995 Star Trek: Voyager Amelia Earhart Episode: "The 37's"
1996 Caroline in the City MaddieEpisode: "Caroline and the Proposal"
1997 Superman: The Animated Series Maxima Voice, episode: "Warrior Queen"
1997–1998 Fired Up Gwen LeonardSeries regular; 28 episodes
1999–2001 Ladies Man Donna StilesSeries regular; 30 episodes
2001–2002 Wolf Lake Vivian CatesSeries regular; 9 episodes
2002 Philly Tabitha Davenport2 episodes
2002 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Maggie PetersonEpisode: "Chameleon"
2004 Judging Amy Andrea AdelsteinEpisode: "Predictive Neglect"
2004 Boston Legal Judge Rita SharpleyEpisode: "Head Cases"
2004–2005 Desperate Housewives Maisy Gibbons3 episodes
2006–2008 Monk Linda Fusco4 episodes
2007 Hidden Palms Tess WiattSeries regular; 8 episodes
2008–2009 The Line JayneSeries regular; 15 episodes
2008 Dirt Cassie HopeEpisode: "God Bless the Child"
2008 The Capture of the Green River Killer Fiona RemusMiniseries
2008The Prince of Motor CityDorothy RileyTV pilot
2008–2009 Privileged Shelby Smith3 episodes
2008–2009BuzzAlexis Henson Web series
2009 Ghost Whisperer Elena BancroffEpisode: "Life on the Line"
2009 Grey's Anatomy Robbie StevensEpisode: "No Good at Saying Sorry (One More Chance)"
2009 Curb Your Enthusiasm Dr. TrundleEpisode: "Vehicular Fellatio"
2009 Community DoreenEpisode: "Politics of Human Sexuality"
2009–2013 Drop Dead Diva Bobbie Dobkins6 episodes
2010 The Mentalist Melba Walker ShannonEpisode: "Bleeding Heart"
2010HitchedJudy ReynoldsTV pilot
2010Blue BelleJudyWeb series; 2 episodes
2010–2011 One Tree Hill Sylvia Baker6 episodes
2011 The Glades Georgia LancerEpisode: "Moonlighting"
2011 American Dad! Scarlett ReynoldsVoice, episode: "The Scarlett Getter"
2012BlackBoxTVDebrah StratfordEpisode: "Silverwood: Red Ink"
2012–2016 Rizzoli & Isles Dr. Hope Martin6 episodes
2013 Body of Proof Julia StoneEpisode: "Committed"
2014 [23] The After FrancisTV pilot
2014 Matador Emily Taft2 episodes
2014 Hell's Kitchen HerselfGuest diner; episode: "Winner Chosen"
2015MixStella RuizTV pilot
2015 Blunt Talk SophieEpisode: "All My Relationships End in Pain"
2016 Game of Silence Diana Stockman6 episodes
2016 Devious Maids LoriEpisode: "Grime and Punishment"
2016–2019 Shameless Margo Mierzejewski7 episodes
2016I Like You Just the Way I AmDebbieSeason 1
2016 Blue Bloods Christine SandersEpisode: "The One That Got Away"
2017 The Last Tycoon Frances Goldwyn3 episodes
2017–2018 Me, Myself & I Eleanor6 episodes
2017 The Ranch Brenda Sanders7 episodes
2017 Queen Sugar Lorna Prescott3 episodes
2018 How to Get Away with Murder Ingrid EganEpisode: "Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
2018–2021 Dynasty Laura Van Kirk7 episodes
2019–2020 Criminal Minds Roberta Lynch3 episodes
2019 On Becoming a God in Central Florida Louise Garbeau5 episodes
2020 Home Before Dark Carol Collins4 episodes
2020 L.A.'s Finest Gloria Walker2 episodes
2020The Gaze: No HomoMiranda CryerWeb series, 6 episodes
2021 Punky Brewster Susan3 episodes
2021 Rebel Angela Foyer6 episodes
2021–2023 Joe Pickett Missy20 episodes
2024 Walker Joanna2 episodes

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryFilmResult
1994 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series NYPD BlueNominated
1995 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series NYPD BlueWon
1995Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNYPD BlueNominated
1996Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series NYPD BlueNominated
1996Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD BlueNominated
1996Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNYPD BlueNominated
1997Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD BlueNominated
1998 Viewers for Quality Television Award Best Recurring PlayerNYPD BlueNominated
1999Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD BlueNominated
1999 Satellite Award Best Actress – Television Series Drama NYPD BlueNominated
2007 Method Fest Independent Film Festival Best ActressFool Me OnceWon
2007Prism AwardBest Performance in a TV-MovieAugusta, GoneNominated
2009Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Grey's AnatomyNominated
2013 Black Reel Award Best Ensemble Middle of NowhereNominated
2016 Winter Film Award Best ActressThe Bridge PartnerNominated
2017 Orlando Film Festival Best Supporting PerformanceAnabolic LifeNominated
2017 USA Film Festival Outstanding Performance AwardHomeWon
2021 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program [24] The Gaze: No HomoNominated
2022 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Performance [25] Punky Brewster Nominated

References

  1. Dinkins, Gregory Earl, editor (1982). Yackety Yack: Yearbook of the University of North Carolina, Volume 92 . Winston-Salem, NC: Hunter Publishing Company. p. 360. LCCN   13-17244.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Sharon Lawrence". The Broadway League . Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sharon Lawrence". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sharon Lawrence Biography". TV Guide . Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  5. Bobbin, Jay (July 28, 1996). "—I've heard that Sharon Lawrence won't be returning to..." Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  6. Starr, Michael (January 15, 1999). "Sharon Out Of The Blue". New York Post . Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  7. Malcom, Shawna (September 14, 2009). "Costar Sharon Lawrence: Katherine Heigl Will Be a Great Mom - Babies, Katherine Heigl, Sharon Lawrence". People . Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  8. "Sharon Lawrence Gets Hitched". TV Guide.
  9. "'Drop Dead Diva' Bulks Up on Guest Stars as Season 5 Returns (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . September 30, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  10. Eng, Joyce (March 14, 2012). "Rizzoli & Isles Exclusive: NYPD Blue's Sharon Lawrence to Play Maura's Biological Mom - Today's News: Our Take". TV Guide. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  11. McNary, Dave (June 6, 2013). "Sharon Lawrence Books Trio Of Roles (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie (October 7, 2013). "Quartet Join Amazon Drama Pilot 'The After', 'Bosch' Casts One". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  13. Ross, Robyn (October 31, 2013). "Amazon Green-Lights Drama Pilots Starring Titus Welliver, Sharon Lawrence". TV Guide. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  14. Porter, Rick (October 31, 2013). "Amazon orders Michael Connelly pilot 'Bosch,' details 'X-Files' creator's 'The After'". Zap2it . Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  15. Staskiewicz, Keith (February 3, 2014). "'The After': First look at new Chris Carter pilot". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  16. Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2015). "Chris Carter Drama Series 'The After' Not Going Forward At Amazon Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  17. Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2015). "Echo Kellum Joins CW Pilot 'Dead People', Sharon Lawrence Cast In ABC's 'Mix'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  18. "Rashida Jones's ABC pilot Mix adds NYPD Blue star Sharon Lawrence". Digital Spy . March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  19. Littleton, Cynthia (May 17, 2017). "CBS 2017-18 Fall Schedule: 'Big Bang Theory' Spinoff 'Young Sheldon,' 'SWAT' Head to Thursday". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  20. Highfill, Samantha (August 19, 2018). "Dynasty casts Sharon Lawrence as Liam's mother". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  21. Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (April 19, 2021). "David Alan Grier, Sharon Lawrence Among Five to Join Cast of Spectrum Originals Drama 'Joe Pickett'".
  22. Treyger, Liza; Klenk, Kara (October 26, 2021). "Chameleon - That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast - Omny.fm". exactlyrightmedia.com/. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  23. Andreeva, Nellie (March 11, 2014). "Four Amazon Pilots Go To Series, 1 On Hold". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  24. "2021 Daytime Nominees (Performer – Non-Drama) – The Emmys". theemmys.tv.
  25. "NATAS ANNOUNCES NOMINATIONS FOR FIRST ANNUAL CHILDRen's & FAMILY EMMYS – the Emmys".