Cynthia Geary Explained

Cynthia Geary
Birth Date:21 March 1965
Alma Mater:University of Mississippi
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1982–present
Children:2

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.

Early life and career

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]

Personal life

Geary married real estate broker Robert Coron in 1994. They divorced in 2018. They have two daughters.[6] [7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
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

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990–1995 Northern Exposure Shelly Marie Tambo Regular role, 110 episodes
Nominated—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 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

Notes and References

  1. News: Almanac: Today's Birthdays. March 21, 2024. Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. A12. 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:
    • News: Today in History: Today's Birthdays. March 21, 2019. Charleston Gazette-Mail. D3. 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.. .
  2. News: Obituaries: John Hart (Jack) Geary. October 20, 2023. Clarion-Ledger. 4A. 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:
    • News: 2023 Mississippi obituaries: Notable figures who passed away this year. Inman, Ed. December 31, 2023. Hattiesburg American. A1. 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.. .
  3. Tribune Media Services (April 19, 1998). "What happens when opposites attract". The Reporter Dispatch TV Book. p. 55. retrieved July 29, 2024.
  4. News: For Cynthia Geary: Home Is Where the Heat Is. Porter, Paige. July 28, 1999. Clarion-Ledger. E1. Cynthia Geary at a glance: Born: March 21, 1965, in Jackson; Schools: Graduated from Jackson Preparatory School and the University of Mississippi.. .
  5. Web site: Katia Anderson. 2020-11-02. Behind The Voice Actors. en-US.
  6. News: Chilling Out. December 24, 2001. People.
  7. News: Daughters of 'Northern Exposure' actress take the stage with Bellevue Youth Theatre. Nomura. Gabrielle. May 3, 2011. Bellevue Reporter.