Born on December 6, 1962, in Lincoln, Nebraska, she grew up in Texas and began modeling at age 15. Transitioning to acting, she gained attention on the TV series "Dallas" and later starred in the hit show "Northern Exposure" as Maggie O'Connell, earning critical acclaim and award nominations. She appeared in films like "Cliffhanger" alongside Sylvester Stallone. Beyond acting, she is a published author, political commentator, and advocate for constitutional education.