Sheila's Biography

Sheila Kelley has an unmistakable presence a sensual honesty which inspired critic Sheila Benson to hail her as "extraordinary and luminous." This quality has shaped her career and continues to propel her forward. Kelley has been busy donning many hats since she left her regular roles on NBC's L.A. Law in 1993 and Sister's in 1996. Besides her passion for being a mother of two, she has also appeared in television, film and theater. She costarred in Neil LaBute's film, Nurse Betty with Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock, had a recurring guest role on the NBC series ER, as well as several other guest parts on various other series. She also co-wrote, produced and acted in,Dancing at the Blue Iguana. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2000 and opened in N.Y and L.A. in November 2001. Dancing At the Blue Iguana is now available at your friendly neighborhood video store.

In between producing, acting and pet projects, Sheila even found time for her newest endeavor - teaching stripping. She started a class last spring for fellow moms and friends and it has nowtaken on a life of its own. She's taught over seventy students with six to eight classes a week.

Sheila Kelley spent three years as Gwen Taylor, Arnie Becker's stunning secretary on NBC's L.A. Law. Playing Gwen, Kelley redefined the term sultry. Sheila then made several films including, The Secretary, and Rules of Obsession, before taking a short break to give birth to her, now, seven year old son. (November 8). When the baby was four months old, Sheila made her Broadway debut in a short running play called, My Thing of Love, with Tom Irwin and Laurie Metcalf. In the summer of 1995 Sheila signed on for the final season of Sisters playing long-lost sister, Charlie Bennett. She then returned triumphantly to the stage to play Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' Streetcar Named Desire at A.C.T. in San Francisco.
Sheila's film career also included co-starring in Warner Brothers' romantic comedy Singles, directed by Cameron Crowe. As Debbie Hunt, Kelley portrayed a desperate, single woman looking for love when love wasn't looking back. Her work can also be seen in Universal's Pure Luck with Martin Short and Danny Glover.
Sheila Kelley appeared in John Sayles' critically acclaimed Passion Fish, which stars Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodard. She also co- starred in One Fine Day with George Clooney and SoapDish, with Keven Kline and Robert Downey,Jr.
Sheila was born on October 9th in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She is the youngest of nine children which include three lawyers, a geophysicist, an entrepreneur, a school teacher, an artist, and a nurse. Trained in classical dance, she often soloed with the Westmoreland Ballet Company. After winning a dance competition, she was accepted into New York University's Tisch School of Arts. Suffering a hip injury, in her second year she renewed a latent interest in acting and transferred to NYU's Theater and Film Department. Kelley transferred again and graduated from NYU's Film School.
An assortment of theatrical and student film productions ultimately led Kelley to form her own theater company called, The Elephant Group. While with the group, she appeared on stage in The Seagull, Lovers:Winners, The Taming of the Shrew, and Am I Blue. She also directed and wrote several small films. Her acting performances, combined with reviews praising the actress's remarkable depth, quickly established her within the N.Y. theater community.
She is married to actor Richard Schiff is enjoying his own success in the emmy award-winning NBC television series, The West Wing. They have one son and a one year old daughter named Petunia.
Inspired by such performers as Peter Sellers and Giullette Masina, Sheila Kelley continues to search for meaning in her work and meaningful roles continue to be awarded this unique actress.