Grew up in Euless, Texas; veteran of child beauty pageants; named Little Miss Texas La Petite at age 6

Moved to NYC at age 15

Signed by the Wilhemina model agency where, at age 16, was one of their youngest models

Made first television appearance in three episodes of the popular CBS primetime serial drama, "Dallas", playing a friend of Lucy Ewing's

TV series debut as regular in the behind-the-scenes drama "Behind the Screen" (CBS)

Played featured role of "blonde bombshell" kleptomaniac spy Laura Templeton in ABC daytime serial, "General Hospital"; Demi Moore cast as her sister

Made feature film debut in cameo as a soap opera actress in the uneven spoof "Young Doctors in Love"

Co-starred in "Tai-Pan"

Moved back to NYC; performed in several Off-Broadway plays

Appeared as Clairee's niece in "Steel Magnolias"

Starred in CBS primetime comedy-drama "Northern Exposure" as an unlucky-in-love pilot; nominated for 1993 Emmy Award as Lead Actress in a Drama Series

First leading role in features, "Cliffhanger"

Acted in the busted CBS pilot "Fully Clothed, Non Dancing Girls"

Returned to features as Mrs. Cleaver in the big screen version of "Leave It to Beaver"

Played a kidnapped frontierswoman in "Stolen Women: Captured Hearts" (CBS)

Producing debut, the ABC telepic "Circle of Deceit"; also starred

Starred in title role in "Beauty" (CBS), a contemporary retelling of the "Beauty and the Beast" story

Played leading role of a successful businesswoman in "Barbara Taylor Bradford's 'A Secret Affair'"

Returned to TV series work as a regular on "Strong Medicine"; made directorial debut with an episode in fall 2001

Had featured role in Robert Altman's "Dr. T and the Women"