Sela Ward

Sela Ward
source
Name	Sela Ward
Caption	Ward in 2013
Birth name	Sela Ann Ward
Birth date	11 July 1956
Birth place	Meridian, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, author
Years active	1983–present
Spouse	Howard Sherman, 1992
Education	University of Alabama (BFA)

Sela Ward is an American actress and author renowned for her work in television and film. She gained widespread recognition for her roles on the NBC drama series Sisters and the CBS crime drama CSI: NY, earning multiple Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations. Ward's career is distinguished by her portrayals of strong, complex women, and she has also been recognized for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in her home state of Mississippi.

Early life and education

Sela Ann Ward was born in Meridian, Mississippi, to parents Annie Kate and Granberry Holland Ward. She grew up alongside her three older brothers in a family with a strong sense of community in the American South. Ward was a talented artist and cheerleader, attending Meridian High School before enrolling at the University of Alabama. At Alabama, she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art and advertising. Initially pursuing a career in advertising, she moved to New York City to work for the firm BBDO, where her path shifted toward acting after she was discovered by a modeling agent.

Acting career

Ward's acting career began with commercial work and a small role in the film The Man Who Loved Women. Her breakthrough came in 1991 when she was cast as Teddy Reed on the NBC drama Sisters, a role for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994. She further solidified her television stardom by headlining the ABC series Once and Again, playing Lily Manning, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe Award in 2000. In film, she has appeared in projects such as The Fugitive, Independence Day, and The Day After Tomorrow. From 2010 to 2013, she starred as Jo Danville in the CBS series CSI: NY, and later had a leading role in the Fox series Empire.

Personal life

Ward married businessman and venture capitalist Howard Sherman in 1992, and the couple has two children. They maintain residences in Los Angeles and Meridian, Mississippi, where Ward has been deeply involved in local community projects. She authored the book Homesick: A Memoir, which discusses her Mississippi roots and the concept of "home." Ward has often spoken about the challenge of balancing a demanding Hollywood career with family life in the American South.

Philanthropy and activism

A dedicated philanthropist, Ward has focused much of her activism on improving opportunities for children in Mississippi. She was instrumental in founding the Hope Village for Children in Meridian, a residential facility for children in the state's foster care system. Her advocacy also extends to the arts and education; she helped establish the Sela Ward Center for the Performing Arts at Meridian Community College. Ward has served as a board member for organizations like the Children's Defense Fund and has been recognized with honors such as the Horatio Alger Award for her commitment to community service.

Filmography and awards

Ward's extensive filmography includes notable television series like Sisters, Once and Again, CSI: NY, and Empire. Her film roles span genres, from thrillers like The Fugitive to disaster epics like The Day After Tomorrow. Her performance in Once and Again earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2000. For Sisters, she received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994 and another nomination in 1995. She has also been nominated for awards from the Screen Actors Guild and the Viewers for Quality Television.

Category:American television actresses Category:American film actresses Category:People from Meridian, Mississippi Category:University of Alabama alumni Category:1956 births Category:Living people