Connie Sellecca (born Concetta Sellecchia; May 25, 1955) is an American actress, producer, and former model, best known for her roles on the television series Flying High, The Greatest American Hero, and Hotel, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 1987.[1]
Connie Sellecca | |
|---|---|
 Sellecca in 2008 | |
| Born | Concetta Sellecchia May 25, 1955 New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Boston College |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, spokesperson |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Spouses | |
| Partner | Howard Platt (1978–1979) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editSellecca was born Concetta Sellecchia in The Bronx to Italian parents, Primo Sellecchia and Marianna (née Acampora) Sellecchia, who were married from 1952 until Primo's death in 1987.[2][3] At age 12, she moved to Pomona, Rockland County, New York, and attended Pomona Junior High School. While attending Ramapo High School in Spring Valley, she first became interested in the performing arts. Although she attended Boston College, she withdrew to pursue a career in acting.[4]
Career
editSellecca first worked as a fashion model before making her acting debut in the 1978 television film The Bermuda Depths. She starred in a short-lived CBS comedy-drama series, Flying High, about the misadventures of three airline flight attendants, from 1978 to 1979. In 1979, she starred in Captain America II: Death Too Soon, a television movie starring Reb Brown in the title role, and slasher film She's Dressed to Kill alongside Jessica Walter. In 1980, she starred in another short-lived series, Beyond Westworld.
From 1981 to 1983, Sellecca starred as lawyer Pam Davidson in the ABC comedy drama series The Greatest American Hero, which starred William Katt and Robert Culp. After Hero ended, she was released from her contract in time to audition for the part of promotions manager Christine Francis on another ABC television drama, Hotel, which starred James Brolin. She appeared in the series from 1983 to 1988.[5] For her performance, she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 1987. In 1989, she starred in the high-rated miniseries Brotherhood of the Rose.
Sellecca played leading roles in a number of made-for-television films in 1980s and 1990s. From 1991 to 1992, she starred along with Greg Evigan in the CBS crime drama series P.S. I Luv U. From 1993 to 1994, she starred in a CBS drama series, Second Chances. Sellecca worked in two films in 2000s, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (2001) and The Wild Stallion in 2009.[6]
Personal life
edit
Sellecca met Howard Platt in 1978, when they starred together on the television series Flying High; the couple became engaged, and moved in together, when the show's filming schedule caused a conflict, they cancelled their original December 1978 wedding date.[7] The relationship ended before any renewed wedding date could take place.[8] Sellecca was married to actor Gil Gerard from 1979 to 1987, and they share a son, Gib.[9][10][11] On April 4, 1992, she married pianist and then-Entertainment Tonight host John Tesh. They have one daughter, Prima.[11][12] Like Tesh, Sellecca is a Christian.[13]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | The Bermuda Depths | Jennifer 'Jennie' Haniver | TV movie |
| 1978–79 | Flying High | Lisa Benton | 19 episodes |
| 1979 | Captain America II: Death Too Soon | Dr. Wendy Day | TV movie |
| She's Dressed to Kill | Alix Goldman | TV movie | |
| 1980 | Beyond Westworld | Pamela Williams | 4 episodes |
| 1981–83, 1986 | The Greatest American Hero | Pam Davidson/Hinkley | 41 episodes |
| 1983–88 | Hotel | Christine Francis | 115 episodes Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1987) |
| 1984 | Finder of Lost Loves | Sara Hawthorne Nevins | Episode: "Goodbye, Sara" |
| 1985 | International Airport | Dana Fredricks | TV movie |
| 1987 | The Last Fling | Gloria Franklin | TV movie |
| Downpayment on Murder | Karen Cardell | TV movie | |
| 1989 | Brotherhood of the Rose | Erika Bernstein | Miniseries |
| Turn Back the Clock | Stephanie Powers | TV movie | |
| 1990 | Miracle Landing | Mimi Tompkins | TV movie |
| People Like Us | Ruby Nolte Renthall | TV movie | |
| Mulberry Street | Connie Savoia | TV movie | |
| 1991–92 | P.S. I Luv U | Dani Powell | 13 episodes |
| 1992 | A House of Secrets and Lies | Susan | TV movie |
| Eye of the Storm | Patricia 'Pete' Peterson | Movie | |
| 1993 | Passport to Murder | Helen Hollander | TV movie |
| 1994 | She Led Two Lives | Rebecca Madison | TV movie |
| 1993–94 | Second Chances | Dianne Benedict | 6 episodes |
| 1995 | A Dangerous Affair | Sharon Blake | TV movie |
| The Surrogate | Joan Quinn | TV movie | |
| A Holiday to Remember | Carolyn Giblin | TV movie | |
| 1997 | While My Pretty One Sleeps | Neeve Kearny | TV movie |
| Something Borrowed, Something Blue | Monique D'Arcy | TV movie | |
| Doomsday Rock | Katherine | TV movie | |
| 1999 | Dangerous Waters | Sarah | TV movie |
| 2002 | Anna's Dream | Leslie Morgan | TV movie |
| 2001 | I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus | Stephanie Carver | TV movie |
| 2009 | The Wild Stallion | Matty | Direct-to-DVD |
| 2012 | All About Christmas Eve | Elizabeth Cole | TV movie |
| 2013–15 | Intelligence for Your Life | Herself/host | TV series |
References
edit- ^ "Connie Sellecca :Biography". MSN Movies. Archived from the original on August 10, 2009.
- ^ "Marianna Sellecchia Obituary (2020) New York Times". Legacy.com.
- ^ "Tullio Ubaldo Sellecchia Obituary". The Journal News. January 23, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ Jason Buchanan (2013). "Connie Sellecca - About This Person". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2012-05-29.
- ^ "Connie Sellecca- Biography".
- ^ "The Wild Stallion" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
- ^ Lester, Peter (1979-02-05). "Their Series May Get Canned, but Howard Platt and Connie Sellecca Keep on Flying High—and United". People. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
But a week before the wedding, the show was renewed and we only had one day off... We're just living together and it's very comfortable
- ^ Buell, Bill (2014-09-25). "TV veteran Platt delighted to be one of McCourt brothers". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
Well, the truth is she was 18 years younger than I was, and I felt like we were from two different generations
- ^ Reed, JD; Alexander, Michael (October 15, 1990). "Stranded in Orbit by His Addictions, Former Buck Rogers Gil Gerard Battles His Way Back to E.A.R.T.H." People. 34 (15). Meredith Corporation: 95.
- ^ Basilan, Rebelander (2019-08-14). "Connie Sellecca of 'Hotel' Was Married Twice". news.amomama.com. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ a b Cardiga, Manuela (February 19, 2020). "'Hotel' Star Connie Sellecca's Daughter Is All Grown-Up and Has Become a Gifted Dancer". news.amomama.com.
- ^ "AT HOME WITH: John Tesh; The Discreet Charm Of a New-Age Sport". The New York Times. March 23, 1995. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- ^ Crosswalk.com. "John Tesh: A Deeper Faith". Atlanta Christian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2007-06-20.