Leaving her Nebraska birthplace for a Texas upbringing, she launched a modeling career at sixteen with Wilhelmina before shifting to Hollywood in 1980 and later refining her craft in New York under Actors Studio mentor Marcia Haufrecht. Breakthrough came as Maggie O'Connell on Northern Exposure, earning an Emmy nod in 1993 and three consecutive Golden Globe nominations from 1992-94. Film work foll…
