Gail O'Grady facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gail O'Grady
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
O'Grady at the 46th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1994
|
|
| Born |
Gail Ann O'Grady
January 23, 1963 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Richard Dasko
(m. 1981; div. 1983)Jeffrey Byron
(m. 1990; div. 1991)Severin Wunderman
(m. 1991; div. 1992)Steve Fenton
(m. 1995; div. 1996)Anthony J. Pellegrino
(m. 1998; div. 2000)John Stamatakis
(m. 2004; div. 2008) |
Gail Ann O'Grady (born January 23, 1963) is an American actress and producer. She is famous for her roles in popular television shows.
O'Grady is best known for playing Donna Abandando in the police drama NYPD Blue. She also starred as Helen Pryor in the family drama series American Dreams. She has acted in many television movies and has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award three times for her work.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Gail O'Grady was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. After graduating from high school in 1981, she started her career as a model and appeared in commercials.
In one famous commercial, she played a neighbor for whom actor Michael J. Fox chases down a Diet Pepsi. In 1986, she moved to Los Angeles to focus on her acting career.
Career in Television and Film
Breakthrough Role in NYPD Blue
O'Grady's first major role was as Donna Abandando in the popular police show NYPD Blue. She played the squad's secretary from 1993 to 1996. Her character was so well-liked that she was nominated for an Emmy Award for three years in a row.
In 1995, she and the cast of NYPD Blue won a Screen Actors Guild Award for their great work together. After leaving the show in 1996, she tried to start her own comedy show, but it was not picked up by a TV network.
Starring in TV Movies and Films
After NYPD Blue, O'Grady became a star in many television movies. These movies were often shown on networks like Lifetime. Some of her movies from this time include Two of Hearts (1999), Hostage Negotiator (2001), and Lucky 7 (2003).
She also appeared in movies for the big screen. She had roles in the comedy Celtic Pride (1996) and the romantic comedy That Old Feeling (1997). She also appeared in Deuce Bigalow: Male ... (1999).
Later Television Roles
From 2002 to 2005, O'Grady played Helen Pryor in the NBC series American Dreams. The show was about a family living in the 1960s. After American Dreams ended, she starred in the comedy series Hot Properties in 2005.
O'Grady has continued to appear in many popular TV shows. She had recurring roles in:
- Boston Legal (2007) as Judge Gloria Weldon.
- Desperate Housewives (2008) as Anne Schilling.
- Hellcats (2010–2011) as Wanda Perkins, the mother of the main character.
- Revenge (2014–2015) as Stevie Grayson.
- Criminal Minds (2018–2023) as Krystall Richards.
She has also made guest appearances on shows like Monk, The Mentalist, Hawaii Five-0, and Castle.
Personal Life
O'Grady has a son who was born in 2004.
Selected Filmography
O'Grady has acted in many movies and television shows throughout her career. Here are some of her most well-known projects.
Movies
- She's Having a Baby (1988)
- Celtic Pride (1996)
- That Old Feeling (1997)
- Deuce Bigalow: Male ... (1999)
- An American Carol (2008)
- Boneyard (2024)
Television Movies
- Two of Hearts (1999)
- Hostage Negotiator (2001)
- Hope Ranch (2002)
- Lucky 7 (2003)
- All I Want for Christmas (2007)
- Identity Theft of a Cheerleader (2019)
Television Series
- Matlock (1986–1990)
- Cheers (1990)
- Murder, She Wrote (1992)
- NYPD Blue (1993–1999)
- American Dreams (2002–2005)
- Monk (2002, 2007)
- Two and a Half Men (2006)
- Boston Legal (2007)
- Desperate Housewives (2008)
- Hellcats (2010–2011)
- Revenge (2014–2015)
- Criminal Minds (2018–2023)
See also
In Spanish: Gail O'Grady para niños
