Date Of Birth
March 25, 1960
Biography
Brenda Strong is best known for her roles as Mary Alice Young on the ABC comedy-drama series “Desperate Housewives” and on another ABC comedy-drama “Sports Night” as Sally Sasser.
In 1978, Strong graduated from Sandy Union High School in Sandy, Oregon and later moved to Arizona to study music in Arizona State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in musical theater. In 1980, Strong won the title of Miss Arizona.
In 1984, she appeared in Billy Crystal’s “You Look Marvelous” music video, and then transitioned into minor roles in known television series, such as “St. Elsewhere”, “MacGyver”, “Cheers”, “Dallas”, “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, “Grapevine”, “Picket Fences”, “Silk Stalkings”, “E.R.”, “Matlock”, “Murphy Brown”, “Herman’s Head”, and “Blossom and Twin Peaks”.
After gaining much exposure, she was eventually cast into more recurring roles, such as Kathleen Isley in “Party of Five”, Miss Frost in “3rd Rock from the Sun”, Sue Ellen Mischke in “Seinfeld”, Mrs. Carmen Mackoul in “7th Heaven”, Marsha Palmer in “The Court”, Iris in “Nip/ Tuck”, Arlene Ridgeway in “The Help”, Julia Brown in “Everwood” and Linda in “Help Me, Help You”.
Strong is also not a stranger to the film industry, as she has worked in a variety of productions, including “Spaceballs”, “The Deep End of the Ocean”, “Red Dragon”, “Starship Troopers”, “Starship Troopers 2”, “The Kid & I”, “The Work and Glory”, “The Work and Glory II: American Zion”, “Going to the Mat”, “Missing Brendan”, “Teddy Bears’ Picnic”, “Red Dragon” and “Family in Hiding”.
Recently, Strong starred, mostly off-screen, in Desperate Housewives as the voice of the deceased Mary Alice Young. Strong appeared in some episodes of the show where flashbacks were used to explain the history of Wisteria Lane. Moreover, her character is integral to the story because she serves as the omniscient narrator of the show.
Strong will be starring as Ann Ryland Ewing on the TNT drama series Dallas, a continuation of the 70s original series that aired on CBS.
Strong, a certified yoga instructor and fertility expert, has taught at UCLA’s Mind/ Body Institute. Presently, she is working on a book regarding yoga and women’s life. She is married to Tom Henri, with whom she has 1 child.
Place of Birth
Brightwood, Oregon
Birth Name
Brenda Lee Strong
Gender
Female
Fun Facts
– She married Tom Henri on July 8, 1989. They have one child together.
– She is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in musical theatre.
– She has been named one of the board of directors for the Montana Shakespeare Company in Helena, Montana.
– She is known for teaching yoga classes in California.
Awards
2006: Screen Actors Guild Awards – Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for: “Desperate Housewives” (2004). Shared.
2005: Screen Actors Guild Awards – Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for: “Desperate Housewives” (2004). Shared.
Filmography
2012: Dallas (TV series) – Ann Ryland Ewing
2004-2011: Desperate Housewives (TV series) – Mary Alice Young
2010: Rizzoli & Isles (TV series) – Mel Gaynor-Randle
2010: Scoundrels (TV series) – Penny Priest
2010: Privileged – Mrs. Carrington
2009: You – Paula
2008: Boston Legal (TV series) – Judge Judy Beacon
2008: Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV series) – Kathy Jarrow
2008: Ocean of Pearls – Mary Stewart
2007: Shark (TV series) – Olivia Hartnell
2007: Curb Your Enthusiasm (TV series) – Dr. Flomm
2007: A Plumm Summer – Viv
2006-2007: Help Me Help You (TV series) – Linda
2006: The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided – Mary Ann Steed
2006: Scarface: The World Is Yours (Video Game) (voice)
2006: Desperate Housewives: The Game (Video Game) – Mary Alice Young
2006: Just Legal (TV series) – Liza Lynch
2006: Family in Hiding (TV movie) – Carol Peterson
2005: The Kid & I – Bonnie Roman
2005: The Work and the Glory II: American Zion – Mary Ann Steed
2002-2005: Everwood (TV series) – Julia Brown
2004: The Work and the Glory – Mary Ann Steed
2004: Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation (video) – Sgt. Dede Rake
2004: The Help (TV series) – Arlene Ridgeway, the Rich Lady
2004: Going to the Mat (TV movie) – Patty Newfield
2003: Exposed – Susan Andrews
2003: The Lyon’s Den (TV series) – Rebecca McCandless
2003: Missing Brendan – Joyce Calden
2003: Nip/Tuck (TV series) – Iris
2003: A.U.S.A. (TV series) – Judge Kimberly Flynn
2002: Malcolm in the Middle (TV series) – Amelia
2002: Red Dragon – Dinner Guest
2002: Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Jackie Sloane Chevron
2002: The Court (TV series) – Marsha Palmer
2000-2002: 7th Heaven (TV series) – Mrs. Carmen Mackoul
2002: Bram and Alice (TV series) – Theresa
2001: Dawson’s Creek (TV series) – Kay Liddell
2001: Gilmore Girls (TV series) – Eva
2001: Thieves (TV series) – Loretta
2001: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV series) – Dr. Leigh Sapien
2001: Ally McBeal (TV series) – Jerry Hill
2000: The Michael Richards Show (TV series) – Beth
2000: Terror Tract – Dr. Helen Corey (segment “Come To Granny”)
2000: Get Real (TV series) – Olivia Clark
1998-2000: Sports Night (TV series) – Sally Sasser
1999: Safe Harbor (TV series) – Marilyn Conray
1999: Any Day Now (TV series) – Jana Durham
1999: Odd Man Out (TV series) – Kasey Morton
1999: The Deep End of the Ocean – Ellen
1998: Undercurrent – Renee Rivera
1998: Black Dog – Melanie
1998: The Closer (TV series) – Susan Bend
1998: Get a Job – Emily LaCrosse/Psychiatrist
1996-1997: Seinfeld (TV series) – Sue Ellen/Sue Ellen Mischke
1997: Starship Troopers – Captain Deladier
1996-1997: 3rd Rock from the Sun (TV series) – Miss Frost/Mrs. Frost
1997: Chicago Sons (TV series) – Nina
1997: Roar (TV series) – Megan
1996: Too Something (TV series) – Sheryl Coveny
1991-1996: Murphy Brown (TV series) – Janine/Tara Baker
1996: The Craft – Doctor
1996: Party of Five (TV series) – Kathleen Isley
1996: The John Larroquette Show (TV series) – Christine Taylor
1994: ER (TV series) – Sally Niemeyer
1994: Island City (TV movie) – Dr. Sammy Helding
1993: Silk Stalkings (TV series) – Candy Grayson
1993: My Life – Laura
1993: Picket Fences (TV series) – Sarah Evans
1993: Malice – Claudia, Riley’s Secretary
1993: The Second Half (TV series) – Heather
1992-1993: Herman’s Head (TV series) – Dr. Holland/Dr. Paige Holland
1993: The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (TV series) – Beatrice Kaufman
1992: Dark Justice (TV series)
1992: Grapevine (TV series) – Allison
1992: Stepfather III (TV movie) – Lauren Sutliffe
1992: Sibs (TV series)
1991-1992: Blossom (TV series) – Diane
1992: Scorch (TV series) – Allison King
1992: Rachel Gunn, R.N. (TV series) – Sheila
1991: Twin Peaks (TV series) – Jones
1991: Anything But Love (TV series)
1990: People Like Us (TV movie)
1990: Father Dowling Mysteries (TV series) – Miss Cantrell/O’Grady
1989: Matlock (TV series) – Jan Sinclair
1989: Skin Deep – Sexy Real Estate Agent
1989: Hooperman (TV series) – Nun
1989: Midnight Caller (TV series) – Kristen
1988: Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV series) – Rashella
1987: Hotel (TV series) – Hilary Sinclair
1987: Spaceballs – Nurse
1987: Dallas (TV series) – Cliff’s One Night Stand
1987: Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues (TV movie) – Desiree
1986: Sledge Hammer! (TV series) – Miss Hotchkins
1986: Cheers (TV series) – Vicki
1986: Weekend Warriors – Danielle
1986: MacGyver (TV series) – Lila
1985: Shadow Chasers (TV series) – Angela Taylor
1985: Misfits of Science (TV series) – Miss Speedway
1985: St. Elsewhere (TV series) – Nadine Aurora
1980: 60th Annual Miss America Pageant (TV movie) – Miss Arizona
Height
6’0″
