Cynthia Geary (born March 21, 1965 See also:) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Shelly Tambo on the television series Northern Exposure (1990–1995), which earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Early life and career
Cynthia Geary was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, the youngest of four children born to John Hart Geary and Shirley Hester See also: (the latter a voice and music teacher who encouraged her daughter to study voice, piano and ballet),Tribune Media Services (April 19, 1998). "What happens when opposites attract". The Reporter Dispatch TV Book. p. 55. retrieved July 29, 2024. Geary attended Jackson Preparatory School and the University of Mississippi, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal performance.
Her acting career began with a series of national commercials, including spots for Coca-Cola and General Motors. She soon had numerous guest starring roles on a variety of television programs, made-for-television movies and independent films, including a small part in Smoke Signals, a film based on the short stories of Native American author Sherman Alexie. Geary played the mother of the Olsen twins in their 1992 made-for-TV movie To Grandmother's House We Go, appeared in the 1997 movie When Time Expires, and is the female lead in 8 Seconds. She received Primetime Emmy nominations—two years in a row (1992, 1993)--for Best Supporting Actress, based on her role in Northern Exposure (1990-1995), an ensemble comedy set in rural Alaska. She voiced the character of Katia Anderson in the second game of the Professor Layton video game series, Professor Layton and the Diabolical/Pandora's Box.
Beginning in 2022, she starred for 2 seasons in the American Pureflix television series Going Home. In 2024, she recurs in the Netflix series Penelope as the title character's mother. She also filmed the independent movie Inheritance.
Personal life Geary married real estate broker Robert Coron in 1994. They divorced in 2018. They have two daughters.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1982 Young Doctors in Love Girl with broken nose Uncredited 1988 Dangerous Curves Pageant Girl 1990 Rich Girl Sorority Girl #1 1994 8 Seconds Kellie Frost 1997 When Time Expires June Kelly 1998 Smoke Signals Cathy the Gymnast 1998 The Killing Grounds Janice Harper 1998 Break Up Emergency Operator 2002 The Business of Fancydancing Teresa 2002 Mulletville Jiffy 2006 Expiration Date Funeral Home Representative 2009 Crimes of the Past Agent Cotton 2012 Switchmas Libby Wilson 2013 Nothing Against Life Barbara Anker 2014 Muffins Woman 1 Short film 2015 Signs Everywhere Wife Short film 2016 Apotheosis Eve Short film 2023 Due Justice Dr. Delaney
Television Year Title Role Notes 1990–1995 Northern Exposure Shelly Marie Tambo Regular role, 110 episodesNominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1992–93)Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 1990 The New Adam-12 Marine Bride Episode: "Immunity" 1991 Us Crystal Television movie 1992 To Grandmother's House We Go Rhonda Thompson Television movie 1995 The Awakening Sara Television movie 1998 You're the One Lindsay Metcalf 3 episodes 1998 The Outer Limits Teryl Bouton Episode: "Mary 25" 1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave The Twins Episode: "It Takes Two to Tango" 1998 Fantasy Island Pamela Louis Episode: "Dying to Dance" 1999 Dead Man's Gun Dr. Megan Jane Price Episode: "The Oath" 2012 Bigfoot Sueanne Television movie 2022- Going Home Charley Copeland Regular role, Television series
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