Person Biography:
Cynthia Stevenson is a renowned American comedic actress born in Oakland, California, to Al Stevenson, an upholstery warehouse owner, and Gayle Stevenson née Boniface, an editor. She spent most of her childhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, after her family moved there.
Cynthia began her acting career at the University of Victoria's Phoenix Theatre Program. She then attended the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and the Drama Studio London at Berkeley. After moving to Los Angeles, she found roles in improv groups and local theatre productions, including the long-running hit "The Ladies Room."
Her breakthrough came with the TV sketch comedy "Off the Wall," followed by guest appearances on popular sitcoms such as "Max Headroom," "Empty Nest," and "The Famous Teddy Z." She then landed her first starring role as talk show host Jennifer Bass in "My Talk Show."
Cynthia's big break came with the Oscar-nominated film "The Player," followed by recurring roles on "Cheers" and "Bob." She then co-starred in the sitcom "Hope & Gloria" and had top roles in several 1990s character-driven ensemble features.
Throughout her career, Cynthia has demonstrated versatility, moving easily between TV and film. She has been a recurring guest on network and cable shows, including "Ally McBeal," "Monk," "Six Feet Under," and "According to Jim."
