Sheila Kelley (American actress)
Sheila Kelley Schiff is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Gwen Taylor on L.A. Law and as Dr. Charlotte "Charley" Bennett Hayes on Sisters.
Early life
Kelley was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, to Catherine Holway Thom Kelley, a registered nurse, and Dr. Jay Hilary Kelley, professor emeritus, College of Mineral and Energy Resources, West Virginia University. Kelley studied ballet at a young age and then matriculated at New York University's Tisch School of Arts after graduating from Hempfield Area High School. After her high school principal encouraged her to take up acting, and doctors cautioned her about the physical effects of rigorous dance training, Kelley redirected her efforts to film directing and acting. After studying at Tisch, Kelley moved to California to pursue her career.Career
Kelley began her acting career in the 1980s in television, with her first credited TV role in 1987. Her first film was Some Girls in 1988. She played the character Gwen Taylor in the legal drama L.A. Law from 1990 to 1993. Most of her work has been in guest roles on American TV series, although she notably played a stripper and performed a seductive dance routine onscreen in the 2000 feature film Dancing at the Blue Iguana.Kelley was cast in a recurring role in the final season of Lost in 2010, playing Zoe. From 2011 to 2012, she played Carol Rhodes on Gossip Girl.
Personal life
Kelley is married to actor Richard Schiff. They have 2 children, Ruby and Gus.Following her role as a stripper in the film Dancing at the Blue Iguana, Kelley became a fan of pole dancing, and built a national chain of exercise studios around her "S Factor" exercise method, including her book, S Factor: Strip Workouts for Every Woman, DVDs, and inspirational monthly editorials at the "S Factor" website. Her fitness program incorporates Pilates, yoga, stretching and pole dance routines.
Kelley formed The Elephant Company, a theatre group, in the 1980s.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1987 | Tonight's the Night | Tanya | Television film |
| 1987 | ' | Charlotte | Television film |
| 1988 | Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami | Trish | Television film |
| 1989 | ' | Kate | Television film |
| 1989 | thirtysomething | Cheryl Eastman | Episode: "First Day/Last Day" |
| 1990–1993 | L.A. Law | Gwen Taylor | Recurring ; main cast ; 42 episodes |
| 1991 | The Chase | Roxanne | Television film |
| 1993 | Full Stretch | Pam Pearson | Episode: "Ivory Tower" |
| 1993 | ' | Susan | Episode: "Best Intentions" |
| 1994 | Deconstructing Sarah | Sarah Vincent/Ruth | Television film |
| 1995 | Wings | Sarah | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | ' | Deidre Bosnell | Television film |
| 1995–1996 | Sisters | Dr. Charlotte "Charley" Bennett | Main cast ; 23 episodes |
| 1998 | Touched by an Angel | Carrie Nichols Carver | Episode: "What Are Friends For?" |
| 1998–1999 | ER | Coco Robbins | 3 episodes |
| 1999 | Mind Prey | Andi Manette | Television film |
| 2001 | Family Law | Jennifer Palmer | Episode: "Intentions" |
| 2001 | ' | Leah Archibald | Television film |
| 2002 | MDs | Pam Kellerman | 4 episodes |
| 2003 | ' | Tess Stanton | Episode: "Strangers" |
| 2006 | Allison Crider | Episode: "Join the Club" | |
| 2010 | Lost | Zoe | 5 episodes |
| 2010 | Hawaii Five-0 | Nancy Harris | Episode: "Palekaiko" |
| 2011–2012 | Gossip Girl | Carol Rhodes | 8 episodes |
| 2012 | NCIS | Victoria Dearing | Episode: "Till Death Do Us Part" |
| 2013 | Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: | Pole instructor | Season 3, Episode 11 |
| 2018-Present | The Good Doctor | Debbie Wexler | 5 episodes |