Sela Ward 

Emmy Award winning actress Sela Ann Ward was born July 11, 1956, in Meridian, Missippi. Ward’s father was Granberry Holland Ward and her mother, Annie Kate Ward, who tragically passed away in 2002 from ovarian cancer. The oldest of three children, Ward attended the University of Alabama. She was a cheerleader, homecoming queen, and even dated the football star (future Miami Dolphin Bob Baumhower). Ward graduated in 1977 with a double major in advertising and art. Beginning her career in New York City, Ward was a storyboard artist who supplemented her income with modeling jobs. Quickly, she found herself cast in commercials for various Maybelline products. 

Catching the acting bug, Ward relocated to California. Her debut film role was opposite Burt Reynolds in the 1983 film The Man Who Loved Women. She also earned a recurring role on Emerald Point N.A.S. By 1986, she even landed a role alongside Tom Hanks in the film Nothing in Common.

But Ward wanted more than bit parts. It took her until 1991, but eventually her dream job came. Playing the troubled alcoholic but free spirited Teddy Reed, Ward had the lead role on the highly popular show Sisters. Other stars on the show included Swoosie Kurtz, Ashley Judd, Paul Rudd, and Kirsten Dunst. Even George Clooney appeared for one episode. In 1994, Ward received an Emmy for her role. 

In 1998 she took a role opposite Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell, Breckin Meyer, and Mike Myers in 54. Unfortunately, the film was widely panned. 

Around this time, work became slow for thirty-nine year old Ward, who began losing roles to younger actresses. She was even overlooked for a part as the next Bond girl despite the casting director being impressed with her abilities. She was informed they were simply looking for someone younger. Ward was not one to take this lying down.

In 2000, she created and produced a documentary The Changing Face of Beauty about our youth obsessed culture.  She went on to prove to everyone that age doesn’t limit success in Hollywood. Winning the lead role as single mother Lily Brooks Manning on the new show Once and Again, Ward won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe. She starred opposite Bill Campbell, Shane West, and Evan Rachel Wood. In 2005, Ward’s career was once again revitalized by a recurring role on the medical drama House with Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, and Lisa Edelstein.  

In Ward’s dating past, she has been linked to Richard Dean Anderson and was once engaged to Peter Weller. However, in 1992 she married venture capitalist Howard Sherman and never looked back. They are still together and have two children. Deeply involved with children, Ward decided to initiate and partly fund an emergency shelter for neglected children awaiting adoption. Hope Place opened in 2002, and Ward hopes it will serve as an inspiration and example for similar institutions in the future. Ward’s biography, Homesick: A Memoir, was published in 2002.

YUDDY