Brenda Lee Strong (born March 25, 1960) is an American actress and yoga instructor, best known for her role as Mary Alice Young on the ABC television comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives (2004"2012), for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards. She also is known for role as Sally Sasser on the ABC comedy-drama Sports Night (1998"2000) and currently starring as Ann Ewing on the TNT drama series Dallas.