Sharon Gless

Sharon Gless – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Explore the life and career of Sharon Gless (born May 31, 1943), the American television and stage actress best known for Cagney & Lacey, Queer as Folk, Burn Notice, and more. Discover her biography, achievements, memorable roles, notable quotes, and lessons from her journey.

Introduction

Sharon Marguerite Gless is an esteemed American actress with a career spanning several decades. She is best remembered for her strong, compelling performances in television dramas, particularly as Sgt. Christine Cagney on Cagney & Lacey. Her portrayals in later series such as Queer as Folk and Burn Notice also show her versatility. Over her career, she has won multiple Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and earned acclaim as a performer who could bring depth and nuance to complex characters.

In this article, we’ll trace her early life, how she entered acting, her major roles and contributions, her public persona through her quotes, and the lessons one can draw from her artistic journey.

Early Life and Background

Sharon Gless was born on May 31, 1943, in Los Angeles, California. Sharon Marguerite Gless. fifth-generation Californian.

Her parents were Marjorie (McCarthy) and Dennis J. Gless, with her maternal grandfather being Neil McCarthy, a prominent Los Angeles attorney whose clientele included studio executives.

She has two brothers: Michael McCarthy Gless and Aric Dennis Gless.

Although her early life was in Los Angeles, she has spoken about being “raised Catholic,” reflecting faith in her background.

Entering Acting: Education & Early Career

Before becoming a full-time actress, Sharon Gless worked in non-performing roles. She took jobs as a secretary at advertising agencies (e.g. Grey Advertising) and with an independent film production company. Estelle Harman.

Her big break came when a talent agent, Monique James, asked her to perform a scene and then offered her a seven-year contract with Universal Studios.

During her early career, she had many smaller roles in TV series and TV movies, guest appearances, and supporting roles — building experience and visibility.

Career & Achievements

Breakthrough & Signature Role: Cagney & Lacey

The role that catapulted Sharon Gless into fame was Sgt. Christine Cagney on the television drama Cagney & Lacey (1982–1988).

Her performance won her two Emmy Awards (1986, 1987) and a Golden Globe in 1986.

Because Cagney & Lacey was a pioneering show for female professionals in law enforcement, the role has had cultural significance in the portrayal of women in positions of authority.

Other Notable Roles

After Cagney & Lacey, Gless continued to take on demanding roles:

• The Trials of Rosie O’Neill (1990–1992): She played the title role, earning another Golden Globe for her performance.

• Queer as Folk (2000–2005): She portrayed Debbie Novotny, a wounded but loving mother, in the U.S. adaptation.

• Burn Notice (2007–2013): She portrayed Madeline Westen, the mother of the main character, Michael Westen. Her work was praised for depth and humanity.

She also made guest-star appearances in Nip/Tuck, The State Within, Casualty (in the UK), and others.

Film, Stage, and Theater

Though her primary reputation is in television, Gless has also done film work — such as Airport 1975, The Star Chamber, Hannah Free (where she took a leading role in an independent film), and more.

On stage, she debuted in Watch on the Rhine at Stage West in Massachusetts. Misery adaptation) and later appeared in Chapter Two. A Round-Heeled Woman, an adaptation of a memoir about late-life romance.

Awards, Honors & Recognition

• Emmy Awards: She has been nominated around 10 times and won twice (for Cagney & Lacey)

• Golden Globes: She has won two Golden Globes (1986 for Cagney & Lacey, 1991 for The Trials of Rosie O'Neill) and had several nominations.

• In 1995, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

She has also contributed to the television arts community, served on boards, and remained active in mentoring younger artists.

Personality, Artistry & Public Voice

Sharon Gless is known for bringing humanness, strength, and emotional honesty to her characters. Her dramatic roles often carry a mix of vulnerability and resilience, especially in strong female leads.

She has spoken candidly in interviews about the challenges of aging in Hollywood, the expectations placed on women’s appearance, and the insights gained from embodying complex characters.

In her memoir Apparently There Were Complaints, she shares reflections on her career and personal experiences.

Notable Quotes

Here are a few quotes attributed to Sharon Gless which give insight into her views and persona:

“I think, on the whole, men are much more shallow than women.”

“Yeah, I’ve always been accused of having a sense of mischief and I’m very flattered that you say you can see it in the roles I play, because I think that’s important, even if I do play intense characters, like especially Christine Cagney.”

“But I’ve always believed that Christine Cagney shouldn’t be played past a certain age.”

“There are only about three really, really good sitcoms on the air.”

These expressions reflect her humor, self-awareness, and views on character, gender, and television.

Lessons from Sharon Gless’s Journey

• Patience & Persistence: Gless’s path from secretarial work to stardom underscores the long, gradual nature of many artistic careers.

• Take on Challenging Roles: Her willingness to embody complex women (in Cagney & Lacey, Rosie O’Neill, etc.) led to critical recognition and enduring respect.

• Evolve with Time: Rather than resisting age and change, Gless transitioned into roles that reflected her maturity (e.g. mothers, matriarchs) and continued to find relevance.

• Speak Truth to Craft: Her public commentary on roles, aging in Hollywood, and gender speaks to not just performing, but shaping the narrative around women in media.

• Balance & Reinvention: She moved between television, film, and stage — not limiting herself to one medium, thereby sustaining a versatile career.

Conclusion

Sharon Gless is more than a familiar TV face—she is a figure who has shaped how strong women are portrayed on screen. From her enduring role as Christine Cagney to her later transformative performances, she demonstrates the power of depth, dignity, and craft in acting. Her career shows that longevity in the arts is built on resilience, adaptability, and continuously pursuing meaningful roles.

If you’d like, I can also draft a complete timeline of Sharon Gless’s works, or analyze one of her standout performances. Would you like me to do that?