Sherry Stringfield

Sherry Stringfield – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and career of Sherry Stringfield: her rise to prominence as Dr. Susan Lewis on ER, her choices to step back and return, her acting beyond television, her philosophy in her own words, and the lessons from her journey.

Introduction

Sherry Lea Stringfield (born June 24, 1967) is an American actress widely recognized for her portrayal of Dr. Susan Lewis on the medical drama ER. Over her career, she has made bold decisions about work, balance, and creative integrity—walking away from success when she felt constrained, and returning when her heart led her back. She also held roles on other TV series and in films, and is known for reflecting candidly on fame, contract disputes, and the personal cost of acting.

In this article, we will trace her upbringing, her breakthrough, her transitions, her legacy, notable quotes, and the lessons embedded in her path.

Early Life and Family

Sherry Stringfield was born on June 24, 1967, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Spring, Texas.

Her interest in performance began early. In high school, she was active in both athletics and acting—which she described as giving her freedom to “sing, dance, jump and run around the stage playing all kinds of characters.”

She later attended the Acting Conservatory at the State University of New York at Purchase, graduating in 1989 with a BFA.

This formal training gave her foundation in theater and screen acting, preparing her for the challenges of serial television.

Career and Achievements

Early Career & Soap Opera Roots

Stringfield’s first major screen role was on the long-running daytime soap Guiding Light, where she played Christina “Blake” Thorpe from 1989 to 1992.

She then secured a regular role on NYPD Blue (1993–1994), portraying Assistant District Attorney Laura Kelly.

These early parts helped Stringfield establish credibility, flexibility, and visibility in dramatic TV before landing her signature role.

ER and Dr. Susan Lewis

In 1994, Stringfield joined the original cast of the medical drama ER as Dr. Susan Lewis.

Although she was contractually tied to appear for five seasons, after season 2 she chose to exit early due to the grueling demands of the show and a longing for a more balanced life.

Her departure was high profile: the exit episode drew ~37 million viewers, making it one of the biggest nights of the season.

Nevertheless, in 2001 she returned to ER, resuming the role of Susan Lewis for additional seasons. ER in 2009.

Her on-and-off relationship with ER reflects her tension between career opportunity and personal boundaries.

Other Acting Work & Roles

Beyond ER, Stringfield’s filmography includes:

• Films: 54 (1998), Autumn in New York (2000), Forfeit (2007), The Stepfather (2009), Born to Race (2011), and voice work in documentaries (Going Clear) and other films.

• Television guest roles: Touched by an Angel, Law & Order, In Plain Sight, CSI, Under the Dome, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

• Television movies: Border Line, The Confession, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?

• Voice work: She lent her voice to her ER character in the PC game ER: The Game and appeared in Blue’s Clues.

• Teaching & directing: After leaving ER first, she taught script analysis and directed plays at her alma mater, SUNY Purchase.

Though ER remains her most celebrated role, she maintained a diverse acting portfolio, balancing guest roles, film parts, and teaching.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Television in the 1990s: ER launched in 1994 and quickly became one of NBC’s most successful dramas. Stringfield’s inclusion in the original cast positioned her at the heart of a defining era in primetime TV.

• Star vs. Self: Her decision to leave ER before the show’s syndication windfall is often cited as a bold move—eschewing guaranteed future remuneration for personal fulfillment.

• Actor Autonomy: Her exits and returns embodied debates about work-life balance, the demands of serial television, and the cost to actors of staying in high-pressure roles long term.

• Versatility of TV Actors: Her engagement in teaching, directing, film, and guest roles mirrored a shift toward multi-dimensional careers for television actors.

Legacy and Influence

Sherry Stringfield’s legacy rests on several pillars:

• Iconic Television Role: Dr. Susan Lewis remains one of the most memorable and enduring characters in medical drama history.

• Courage to Choose: Her willingness to step away from lucrative work for personal reasons set an example for career agency and self-respect.

• Diverse Craft: She showed that television actors can shift between mediums, teach, and direct—resisting being pigeonholed.

• Honest Voice: Her candid reflections about contracts, fame, and pressures contribute to more transparent conversations about the entertainment industry.

Though she is less present on screen today, her decisions and the path she forged continue to resonate with actors and fans alike.

Personality, Strengths & Challenges

Integrity & Personal Values

Stringfield has repeatedly emphasized that her decisions to step away were motivated not by lack of commitment but by the need to preserve a life outside of work. She once said she “wanted a full-bodied life … before I felt I’d sacrificed so much.”

Willingness to Risk Financial Gain

She walked away from ER before its syndication and peak profitability—a decision many judged risky at the time. But she defended it as the right choice for her.

Vulnerability & Self-Awareness

Her quotes reflect that she is grounded, self-aware, and attuned to the emotional tolls of fame:

“It’s amazing how everyone has an opinion on how you should live your life.” “I don’t get rattled about the big things … I get rattled when I have to pick up my laundry, get gas in the car, pick up a script.”

Ambiguity & Criticism

Her public departures sometimes drew criticism from producers or fans, who viewed them as controversial or disruptive. Balancing reputation and personal choice was a recurring tension.
Also, returning to a role after leaving can carry risks—of audience expectations, comparisons, or narrative disruption.

Reinvention & Return

Her return to ER shows that stepping away doesn’t necessarily close doors forever. She demonstrated that talent and reputation can reclaim space, if done with intention.

Famous Quotes of Sherry Stringfield

Here are some memorable reflections from Stringfield across interviews and public statements:

1. “It’s amazing how everyone has an opinion on how you should live your life.”

2. “I love having no sense of tomorrow or yesterday.”

3. “The producers thought I was negotiating for more money. It took a long time to get out of my contract.”

4. “When you walk away from a really wonderful job like that, you start messing with everyone’s priorities. It’s like you’re dissing them.”

5. “Why does anybody want to be famous? You know what’s important to me? Having lunch! Pasta! Seeing my friends! Is that so crazy?”

6. “I don’t get rattled about the big things. I get rattled when I have to pick up my laundry, get gas in the car, pick up a script.”

7. “I played the best role I’ve ever seen on TV or film in the last five years. It was hugely gratifying.”

8. “Series television is either a nightmare or the best thing in the whole world. It really depends … where you are in your life.”

These reflect her nuanced perspective on fame, contract negotiation, personal priorities, and the emotional reality of acting.

Lessons from Sherry Stringfield

1. Define success for yourself
   She did not accept the industry’s default measures of success. She prioritized life balance over guaranteed financial gain.

2. Boundaries protect longevity
   Knowing when to walk away can prevent burnout and preserve artistic agency.

3. Returns are possible if done intentionally
   Her re-entry into ER shows that stepping back doesn’t mean doors close forever—if your return is guided by purpose.

4. Speak your truth—even when uncomfortable
   Her openness about contract struggles, fame, and choices helped break silence about the pressures actors face.

5. Versify your craft
   Acting outside your landmark role, teaching, directing—diversified engagement prevents stagnation and nurtures growth.

6. Vulnerability connects
   Audiences respect honesty; by being open about fears and small anxieties, she expressed her humanity more than perfect polish could.

Conclusion

Sherry Stringfield’s journey is marked not just by a celebrated television role but by her choices to assert control, walk away when necessary, and return on her own terms. Her path teaches that career success and personal integrity need not be mutually exclusive—they can be negotiated, shaped, and reinterpreted across time.