Ally Sheedy

Alexandra Elizabeth Sheedy (born June 13, 1962 in New York City), is an American screen and stage actress, possibly best known for her roles in the "Brat Pack" films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire.

Related Topics:
June 13 - 1962 - New York City - American - Screen - Stage - Actress - Brat Pack - The Breakfast Club - St. Elmo's Fire

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Sheedy was born to an Irish Catholic father and a Jewish mother who was a notable press agent. At six years old, Ally Sheedy started dancing with the American Ballet Theatre, and at age 12 wrote a children's book, She Was Nice to Mice, that was published by McGraw-Hill and became a bestseller (ISBN 0440478448). Then, in her teens she began acting in local productions.

Related Topics:
Irish Catholic - Jewish - American Ballet Theatre

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After appearing in several straight-to-television films in 1981, Sheedy made her cinema debut in Bad Boys (1983), starring Sean Penn. The 1980s were her golden period with roles also in WarGames and Short Circuit, as well as a character in three episodes of the television series Hill Street Blues in 1983.

Related Topics:
1981 - Bad Boys - 1983 - Sean Penn - 1980s - WarGames - Short Circuit - Hill Street Blues - 1983

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Her Hollywood career appears to have been difficult. Sheedy has claimed that she shied away from roles that were offered to her because she would have had to play a sex object.

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In the 1990s Ally Sheedy was treated for sleeping pill addiction, which she drew on for her role as a drug-addicted photographer in the film High Art. She has also battled with Bulimia nervosa, which started after a visit to Ford modeling agency at the dawn of her acting career, when Eileen Ford told her to lose 15 pounds if she wanted to be represented by the agency.

Related Topics:
1990s - Addiction - Film - High Art - Bulimia nervosa - Ford modeling agency

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High Art was an important movie in Sheedy's career. She identified with the character of photographer Lucy Berliner so much that she took a plane at her own expense to participate in an audition. She has said that this character is the closest one she has played to herself.

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In 1999, Sheedy took over the lead role in the Off-Broadway production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. She was the first female to play the part of the German transsexual Hedwig. Her run was terminated early amid bad reviews and reports of bizarre behavior.

Related Topics:
1999 - Off-Broadway - Hedwig and the Angry Inch - German - Transsexual

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She is married to actor David Lansbury, nephew of actress Angela Lansbury and son of Edgar Lansbury, the producer of the original production of Godspell, and they have a daughter, Rebecca, born in 1994.

Related Topics:
David Lansbury - Angela Lansbury

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