Terry Farrell

Biography: Theresa Lee Farrell was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Kay Bendickson and Edwin Farrell Jr. She and her older sister, Christine, enjoyed a normal family life until her parents divorced when Terry was very young. Kay was awarded custody of the children and she eventually married David Grussendorf. Terry and Christine's new step-father officially adopted them both and they both came to carry his name.

Her first performing job was as a Christmas elf in a mall at Cedar Rapids. At the tender age of 15, Terry left home to spend summer as a foreign exchange student in Mexico City. The experience made her long for a more adventurous life in the big city. During her junior year of high-school, she submitted her photo to Elite Modeling Agency. Two days after being invited to New York, she'd dropped out of high-school and modeled for Mademoiselle Magazine and Vogue among others. She also worked as the print ads model for the Playtex "Made for Me" brassiere. She only spentTheresa Lee Farrell was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Kay Bendickson and Edwin Farrell Jr. She and her older sister, Christine, enjoyed a normal family life until her parents divorced when Terry was very young. Kay was awarded custody of the children and she eventually married David Grussendorf. Terry and Christine's new step-father officially adopted them both and they both came to carry his name.

Her first performing job was as a Christmas elf in a mall at Cedar Rapids. At the tender age of 15, Terry left home to spend summer as a foreign exchange student in Mexico City. The experience made her long for a more adventurous life in the big city. During her junior year of high-school, she submitted her photo to Elite Modeling Agency. Two days after being invited to New York, she'd dropped out of high-school and modeled for Mademoiselle Magazine and Vogue among others. She also worked as the print ads model for the Playtex "Made for Me" brassiere.

She only spent eighteen months as a model though before becoming restless with the profession. Looking for a new challenge, she decided to try acting, studying with Kate McGregor Stewart. Terry landed her first role in 1983 on TV show, Paper Dolls, alongside another former model, Nicolette Sheridan. The show only lasted 13 episodes, but she wasn't out of work for long, appearing in a couple of TV movies before co-starring in her first feature film, the 1986 comedy Back to School. Starting in spring 1989 she took acting s at the Stella Adler Academy, and in 1992 she won her most high-profile role to date in the horror sequel, Hellraiser III.

In late 1992 she was faced with a tough decision. Having filmed two pilots, one for the US version of hit British comedy, Red Dwarf, the other for the newest incarnation of the Star Trek universe, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which should she choose? The decision was made for her. The studio executives declined to pick up Red Dwarf. However, despite the fact that the show had been refused, Terry still appeared in a 15 minute promotional clip for the comedy that never was. Hitting the air in January 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continued for seven seasons, but Terry declined to stay on the show for the final year, ready to pursue other interests. She was replaced by Canadian actress, Nicole de Boer. Changing focus to comedy acting, Terry joined the cast of the 1998 sitcom, Becker, starring alongside Ted Danson's title character. She remained on that show for four years, but was replaced in the final season. In 2002, she married Brian Baker and became a mom in 2003. After the birth of her son, Max, she decided to retire from acting and focus on raising her child in New York City. She still occasionally will make convention appearances, but in her words (in August 2007), "You can't do that and act. I have a 3 ½ year old and a husband, but I have residuals – and Max is going to college whether he likes it or not!"… Expand