Cynthia Geary (born March 21, 1965[1]) 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.
One of four children born to John Hart Geary and Shirley Hester[2] (the latter a voice and music teacher who encouraged her daughter to study voice, piano and ballet),[3] Geary attended Jackson Preparatory School and the University of Mississippi,[4] where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal performance.[3]
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.[5]
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.[citation needed] They have two daughters.[6][7]
^"Almanac: Today's Birthdays". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. March 21, 2024. p. A12. ProQuest2972900995. Actor Matthew Broderick is 62. Comedian-actor Rosie O'Donnell is 62. Actor Cynthia Geary is 59. Hip-hop DJ Premier (Gang Starr) is 58. Rock musician Jonas "Joker" Berggren (Ace of Base) is 57. Rock MC Maxim (Prodigy) is 57. Rock musician Andrew Copeland (Sister Hazel) is 56. Actor Laura Allen is 50. See also:
"Today in History: Today's Birthdays". Charleston Gazette-Mail. March 21, 2019. p. D3. ProQuest2195434394. Actor Matthew Broderick is 57. Comedian-actress Rosie O'Donnell is 57. Actress Cynthia Geary is 54. Rock musician Jonas "Joker Berggren (Ace of Base) is 52. Rock MC Maxim (Prodigy) is 52. Rock musician Andrew Copeland (Sister Hazel) is 51. Hip-hop DJ Premier (Gang Starr) is 50. Actress Laura Allen is 45.
^"Obituaries: John Hart (Jack) Geary". Clarion-Ledger. October 20, 2023. p. 4A. ProQuest2881646088. He met his wife Shirley Hester in 1954 and built a wonderful life and loving family with her. [...] He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 67 years, his children John Hart Geary, Jr. (Whit), Gene Geary Barnes (Allen), Bill Geary (Kathleen) and Cynthia Geary. See also:
Inman, Ed (December 31, 2023). "2023 Mississippi obituaries: Notable figures who passed away this year". Hattiesburg American. p. A1. ProQuest2907855059. John Hart Geary, 92, died on Oct. 17. [...] His youngest daughter, Cynthia Geary, is an accomplished actress best known for her role as "Shelly Tambo" in the television series "Northern Exposure," which aired from 1990 until 1995.
^Porter, Paige (July 28, 1999). "For Cynthia Geary: Home Is Where the Heat Is". Clarion-Ledger. p. E1. ProQuest883484849. Cynthia Geary at a glance: Born: March 21, 1965, in Jackson; Schools: Graduated from Jackson Preparatory School and the University of Mississippi.
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