Sharon Lawrence
Sharon Lawrence – Life, Career, and Notable Roles
Sharon Lawrence: American actress born 1961, best known for NYPD Blue. Discover her early life, breakthrough role, later career, awards, and legacy.
Introduction
Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence (born June 29, 1961) is an American television, film, and stage actress celebrated for her role as ADA Sylvia Costas in the ABC police drama NYPD Blue, among many others.
Early Life and Education
Sharon Lawrence was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Raleigh, North Carolina during her high school years, graduating from Needham B. Broughton High School.
For college, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1983.
She became a member of Actors’ Equity in 1984 and SAG-AFTRA in 1987.
Career and Achievements
Early Stage and TV Beginnings
Lawrence’s early acting work included stage roles. She appeared in the 1987 revival of Cabaret on Broadway and later was involved in Fiddler on the Roof.
Her early television guest appearances included shows like Civil Wars.
Breakthrough: NYPD Blue
Lawrence’s breakout came in 1993 when she was cast as Sylvia Costas, an assistant district attorney, in NYPD Blue.
Her performance earned her three Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast.
Lawrence left NYPD Blue in 1999 after her character was killed off, though she had earlier left to pursue her own sitcom.
Diversification: Comedy, Drama & Recurring Roles
After NYPD Blue, Sharon Lawrence explored sitcoms and dramas:
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Fired Up (1997–1998): She starred in this NBC sitcom.
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Ladies Man (1999–2001): She played Donna Stiles.
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Wolf Lake (2001–2002): A supernatural drama; she had a series regular role.
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Hidden Palms (2007): She starred as Tess Wiatt in this teen drama.
She also appeared in many well-known series in recurring or guest capacities: Desperate Housewives, Drop Dead Diva, Rizzoli & Isles, Shameless, Queen Sugar, Dynasty, On Becoming a God in Central Florida, and others.
In film, she has appeared in Gossip (2000), Little Black Book (2004), The Alibi (2006), Middle of Nowhere (2012), Solace (2015), and others.
She also earned a fourth Emmy nomination in 2009 for her guest role on Grey’s Anatomy.
More recently, she starred in the Paramount+ neo-Western series Joe Pickett.
Awards, Honors & Recognition
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Three Emmy nominations for NYPD Blue (Supporting Actress).
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Part of the Screen Actors Guild Award–winning ensemble cast for NYPD Blue.
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Additional nominations for guest roles and recurring parts on other television shows.
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She has also been active in philanthropy and served as an ambassador for the National Women’s History Museum.
Personal Life
In 2002, Sharon Lawrence married Dr. Tom Apostle. Their wedding took place at the Greek Orthodox Church Saint Sophia — the same church where her NYPD Blue character Sylvia Costas married Andy Sipowicz.
She has participated in the World Poker Tour (Hollywood Home edition) to raise funds for charities, and she has supported causes such as the Alzheimer’s Association.
Legacy, Style & Influence
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Strong dramatic presence on TV: Her performance in NYPD Blue solidified her as a memorable TV actress capable of holding her own in ensemble casts.
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Versatility: She has moved fluidly between dramas, sitcoms, guest roles, and character parts, showing adaptability over decades.
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Resilience in career: Even after a key role ended, she continued to find recurring work and maintain relevance in the evolving television landscape.
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Advocacy: Her alignment with charitable causes and museums shows she uses her platform beyond entertainment.
Selected Notable Quotes
While Sharon Lawrence is not especially known for quotable aphorisms, a few sentiments from interviews reflect her perspective:
“I had already been singing on cruise ships and at night clubs to earn money during college.”
This reflects her early dedication and willingness to work in diverse venues to support her artistry.
Lessons from Sharon Lawrence
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Build from ensemble roles upward: Her start in supporting or recurring parts, then rising to prominence, illustrates gradual career growth.
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Adapt and persist: Transitioning through genres and formats helps longevity in an unpredictable industry.
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Leverage opportunities: What began as a small TV part became her signature role thanks to strong performance and audience reception.
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Use fame for good: Her involvement in charitable causes shows that public figures can give back.
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Own your narrative: Rather than fade after a breakthrough role, she actively continued crafting roles and maintaining agency over her career direction.
Conclusion
Sharon Lawrence’s path in acting spans decades of performance, resilience, and versatility. She became a household name through NYPD Blue but sustained a career through many shifts in television’s landscape. As an actress who moved between drama, comedy, recurring roles, guest appearances, and film, she exemplifies how talent combined with adaptability can build a lasting legacy.