Raised in Long Island, New York

Failed a Broadway tryout at age 19

Acted in the never released feature, "Daddy, You Kill Me"

Made the finals of the Miss New York pageant, but withdrew in order to complete her college exams

Cast as Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama, "All My Children"; received an Emmy nomination almost every year since 1978

Made cameo appearance along with many other daytime drama stars in the film, "Young Doctors in Love"

Made TV movie debut in "Invitation to Hell" (ABC)

Became a spokeswoman for Revlon cosmetics

Played the title role in the NBC TV-movie, "Mafia Princess"

Hosted the Lifetime interview show, "The Working Women's Survival Hour"

Appeared as Sheila Foley (a.k.a. Hillary Taylor) in six episodes of the final season of the CBS primetime soap opera, "Dallas"

Played dual roles of a hit woman and an FBI agent who resembles the assassin in the CBS movie "Double Edge"

Portrayed the title character in "Ebbie," a distaff remake of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (Lifetime)

Made Broadway singing debut in title role of "Annie Get Your Gun"; replaced actress Bernadette Peters in the role

Guest-stared in a one hour special of the successful ABC series "Hope and Faith"

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Joined the seventh season of ABC's reality competition "Dancing with the Stars"