Sheila Kelley2 Biography

Sheila Kelley (born October 9, 1963) is an American television actress. She is best known for her roles as Gwen Taylor on L.A. Law and as Dr. Charlotte "Charley" Bennett Hayes on Sisters.

Early life

Kelley was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, to Catherine Holway Thom Kelley, a registered nurse, and Dr. Jay Hilary Kelley, professor emeritus, School of Mineral and Energy Resources, West Virginia University. Kelley studied ballet at a young age and then matriculated at New York University's Tisch School of Arts. After doctors cautioned her about the effects of rigorous dance training on her hips, Kelley redirected her efforts to film directing and acting, and studied with Michael Howard. She was originally encouraged to pursue acting by her high school principal, Dr. George Vollrath, and ultimately moved to California in order to advance her career.

Career

Kelley began her acting career in the 1980s in television, with her first credited TV role in 1987. Her first film was Some Girls in 1988. She played the character Gwen Taylor in the legal drama L.A. Law from 1990-1993. Most of her work has been in guest roles on American TV series, although she notably played a stripper and performed a seductive dance routine onscreen in the 2000 feature film Dancing at the Blue Iguana.

After her role in this movie she went on to create a new feminine workout movement called S Factor. She is considered the founder of Pole Dancing Workout. Since its inception over a decade ago, 8 studios have been opened in the United States. It is one of the most well known and successful studios of its kind. However it is unique in that it features an ever evolving curriculum that is often imitated. She fuses pilates, yoga, and her knowledge of classical ballet into a workout that eventually involves the use of the pole. The movement, as she calls it, is growing. There are studios in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Encino and Costa Mesa.

Kelley was cast in a recurring role on season six of Lost, playing a character named Zoe.

Her most recent casting is that of Aunt Carol in Gossip Girl.

Film roles

• Some Girls (1988)
• Staying Together (1989)
• Mortal Passions (1989)
• Breaking In (1989)
• Where the Heart Is (1990)
• Wild Blade (1991)
• Soapdish (1991)
• Pure Luck (1991)
• Passion Fish (1992)
• Singles (1992)
• Private Debts (1993)
• Mona Must Die (1994)
• A Passion to Kill (1994)
• One Fine Day (1996)
• Santa Fe (1997)
• Nurse Betty (2000)
• Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2000) (also listed as producer of this movie)
• Matchstick Men (2003)

Personal life

Kelley is married to actor Richard Schiff.

Following her role as a stripper in the film Dancing at the Blue Iguana, in which she performed a seductive strip routine, she became a fan of pole dancing. Kelley has since become noted for her "S Factor" national exercise studios (LA (3), San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Houston) and her book, S Factor: Strip Workouts for Every Woman, and DVDs. Sheila's copyrighted feminine fitness program incorporates Pilates, yoga, stretching and uniquely designed pole dance routines which develop tone, muscle, fluidity of movement and confidence. She also publishes a monthly editorial which addresses women's issues available at www.sfactor.com.

Kelley formed The Elephant Company, a theatre group, in the 1980s.