Matinee Classics - Shelley Long Biography & Filmography

Shelley Long ACTOR

SHELLEY LONG BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Shelley Long was born on August 23rd, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana with the middle name Lee, born as an only child to Evandine and Leland Long. She received her early years education at Kekjonga Junior High and then graduated from South Side High School. Long then enrolled at Northwestern University in 1967 to study in their drama program.

However, prior to earning her college degree she left to pursue a career in entertainment. She relocated to Chicago and found work as a writer, producer and co-host for a Chicago magazine program called, "Sorting It Out" in 1975. This program aired for three years and won three Emmy's for Best Entertainment Show.

Soon she proceeded with working as a television actress appearing on the series, "The Love Boat" (1978), "Family" (1979) and "Trapper John, M.D." (1979). As her career progressed she was cast in her most famous role on the television series, "Cheers" (1982) starring Ted Dansen, for which she won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series as well as two Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress.

In addition to television, Long was cast in numerous successful films such as, "Night Shift" (1982) starring Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, Kevin Costner and Shannen Doherty, "Irreconcilable Differences" (1984) also starring Drew Barrymore, Sam Wanamaker, Sharon Stone and Ryan O'Neal, "The Money Pit" (1986) starring with Tom Hanks, Maureen Stapleton and Joe Mantegna, "Outrageous Fortune" (1987), "Hello Again" (1987) also starring Judith Ivey, Gabriel Byrne, Corbin Bernsen, Sela Ward, Austin Pendleton, Carrie Nye, Robert Lewis, Madeleine Potter, Thor Fields and Illeana Douglas, "Troop Beverly Hills" (1989) co-strring Craig T. Nelson, Betty Thomas, Mary Gross, Shelley Morrison, Tori Spelling, Carla Gugino, Jenny Lewis, Emily Schulman, Ami Foster and Kellie Martin, "The Brady Bunch Movie" (1995) with Gary Cole and "Dr. T & the Women" (2000) co-starring Helen Hunt, Farrah Fawcett, Laura Dern, Tara Reid, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler and Lee Grant.

Other television credits she has added include, "Yes Dear", "Boston Legal", "Complete Savages", "8 Simple Rules", "Strong Medicine", "The Incredible Hulk", "Murphy Brown", "Good Advice" and Boston Legal".

Shelley Long has married twice but her first marriage was short lived. She then wed Bruce Tyson in 1981 and they had one child together before the marriage came to an end in 2004. She currently resides in Pacific Palisades, California and most recently has been seen on the television series, "Modern Family" (2009-2011) and the television movies, "A Holiday Engagement" (2011) with Bonnie Somerville, Jordon Bridges and Haylie Duff, "Merry In Laws", "The Rites of Spring" and "The Dog Who Saved Christmas Eve" (all 2012).