Terry Farrell

Person Score

 
9.3 Superb
114 votes

Your Score

Rate now!

Biography

Recent Role:
Regina "Reggie" Kostas on Becker
Gender:
Female
Born:
11-19-1963
Birthplace:
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
Birth Name:
Theresa Lee Farrell Grussendorf

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

… More 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!"

From the Forums

More Topics▸
More Topics

Fans' Reviews

More Reviews▸
  •  
    9.5 Superb
    Terry Farrell, formerly star of DS9 and Becker, hasn't been seen in anything since 2003 that I know of, which is a loss because she did have talent and very nice hair. hide show

    I learned of Terry Farrell from Becker, where she played Regina Kostas, but more popularly referred to as "Reggie". She was the owner of a diner of few customers that her late father previously owned, and was in four of the six seasons Becker ran for before CBS in a stupid movement canceled.

    It was never exactly clear why she got fired from the show, but her replacement Nancy Travis who played Christina "Chris" Connor was extremely inadequate to say the least. Some say it had to do with pay, creative direction (whatever that's supposed to mean) and etc.

    She was a former model (both on the show Becker and in real life) and should be back in the biz, considering her talent and her nice hair. She was a great Reggie on Becker and her replacement sucked in comparison. I think I'm going to write to the Becker producers or whoever does the casting a complaint letter even though what's done is done. They never should have fired Farrell, whose birth name was Theresa Lee Farrel Grussendorf.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
    ammunitionized Added Aug 27, 2005 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    my favourite Deep space nine actress hide show

    i just loved Terry in the role of Jadzia Dax , she was my main reason why i watched Star Trek : Deep Space Nine.
    The role that she played onBecker was great too ,i think she could play any part and i think she deserves a new big role on any series.
    I have seen her in several movies , my favourite is One True Love (2000) (TV) .... Dana Boyer .in this movie Dana Boyer (Farrell), a dog kennel owner, and Kevin Grant (Hasselhoff), a fireman, are passionate, fun-loving adults who meet when Kevin rescues Dana from a burning car. Both are struck by the overwhelming feeling that they have just met their soul mate, but unfortunately neither learns the other's name. To complicate matters, both are engaged to other people.
    Rating 10/10

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
    djpiper Added Aug 19, 2005 All my reviews
 

Top Contributors

What is a TV.com Contributor?