Connie Sellecca (born Concetta Sellecchia; May 25, 1955) is an American actress, producer, and former model, best known for her roles on the television series Flying High, The Greatest American Hero, and Hotel, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 1987.[1]

Connie Sellecca
Sellecca in 2008
Born
Concetta Sellecchia

(1955-05-25) May 25, 1955 (age 69)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materBoston College
Occupation(s)Actress, spokesperson
Years active1976–present
Spouses
(m. 1979; div. 1987)
(m. 1992)
PartnerHoward Platt (1978–1979)
Children2

Early life

edit

Sellecca was born Concetta Sellecchia in The Bronx to Italian parents, Primo Sellecchia and Marianna (née Acampora) Sellecchia, who were married from 1952 until Primo's death in 1987.[2][3] At age 12, she moved to Pomona, Rockland County, New York, and attended Pomona Junior High School. While attending Ramapo High School in Spring Valley, she first became interested in the performing arts. Although she attended Boston College, she withdrew to pursue a career in acting.[4]

Career

edit

Sellecca first worked as a fashion model before making her acting debut in the 1978 television film The Bermuda Depths. She starred in a short-lived CBS comedy-drama series, Flying High, about the misadventures of three airline flight attendants, from 1978 to 1979. In 1979, she starred in Captain America II: Death Too Soon, a television movie starring Reb Brown in the title role, and slasher film She's Dressed to Kill alongside Jessica Walter. In 1980, she starred in another short-lived series, Beyond Westworld.

From 1981 to 1983, Sellecca starred as lawyer Pam Davidson in the ABC comedy drama series The Greatest American Hero, which starred William Katt and Robert Culp. After Hero ended, she was released from her contract in time to audition for the part of promotions manager Christine Francis on another ABC television drama, Hotel, which starred James Brolin. She appeared in the series from 1983 to 1988.[5] For her performance, she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 1987. In 1989, she starred in the high-rated miniseries Brotherhood of the Rose.

Sellecca played leading roles in a number of made-for-television films in 1980s and 1990s. From 1991 to 1992, she starred along with Greg Evigan in the CBS crime drama series P.S. I Luv U. From 1993 to 1994, she starred in a CBS drama series, Second Chances. Sellecca worked in two films in 2000s, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (2001) and The Wild Stallion in 2009.[6]

Personal life

edit
 
Tesh, Prima and Sellecca at Step Up 2: The Streets premiere

Sellecca met Howard Platt in 1978, when they starred together on the television series Flying High; the couple became engaged, and moved in together, when the show's filming schedule caused a conflict, they cancelled their original December 1978 wedding date.[7] The relationship ended before any renewed wedding date could take place.[8] Sellecca was married to actor Gil Gerard from 1979 to 1987, and they share a son, Gib.[9][10][11] On April 4, 1992, she married pianist and then-Entertainment Tonight host John Tesh. They have one daughter, Prima.[11][12] Like Tesh, Sellecca is a Christian.[13]

Filmography

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1978 The Bermuda Depths Jennifer 'Jennie' Haniver TV movie
1978–79 Flying High Lisa Benton 19 episodes
1979 Captain America II: Death Too Soon Dr. Wendy Day TV movie
She's Dressed to Kill Alix Goldman TV movie
1980 Beyond Westworld Pamela Williams 4 episodes
1981–83, 1986 The Greatest American Hero Pam Davidson/Hinkley 41 episodes
1983–88 Hotel Christine Francis 115 episodes
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1987)
1984 Finder of Lost Loves Sara Hawthorne Nevins Episode: "Goodbye, Sara"
1985 International Airport Dana Fredricks TV movie
1987 The Last Fling Gloria Franklin TV movie
Downpayment on Murder Karen Cardell TV movie
1989 Brotherhood of the Rose Erika Bernstein Miniseries
Turn Back the Clock Stephanie Powers TV movie
1990 Miracle Landing Mimi Tompkins TV movie
People Like Us Ruby Nolte Renthall TV movie
Mulberry Street Connie Savoia TV movie
1991–92 P.S. I Luv U Dani Powell 13 episodes
1992 A House of Secrets and Lies Susan TV movie
Eye of the Storm Patricia 'Pete' Peterson Movie
1993 Passport to Murder Helen Hollander TV movie
1994 She Led Two Lives Rebecca Madison TV movie
1993–94 Second Chances Dianne Benedict 6 episodes
1995 A Dangerous Affair Sharon Blake TV movie
The Surrogate Joan Quinn TV movie
A Holiday to Remember Carolyn Giblin TV movie
1997 While My Pretty One Sleeps Neeve Kearny TV movie
Something Borrowed, Something Blue Monique D'Arcy TV movie
Doomsday Rock Katherine TV movie
1999 Dangerous Waters Sarah TV movie
2002 Anna's Dream Leslie Morgan TV movie
2001 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Stephanie Carver TV movie
2009 The Wild Stallion Matty Direct-to-DVD
2012 All About Christmas Eve Elizabeth Cole TV movie
2013–15 Intelligence for Your Life Herself/host TV series

References

edit
  1. ^ "Connie Sellecca :Biography". MSN Movies. Archived from the original on August 10, 2009.
  2. ^ "Marianna Sellecchia Obituary (2020) New York Times". Legacy.com.
  3. ^ "Tullio Ubaldo Sellecchia Obituary". The Journal News. January 23, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Jason Buchanan (2013). "Connie Sellecca - About This Person". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2012-05-29.
  5. ^ "Connie Sellecca- Biography".
  6. ^ "The Wild Stallion" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  7. ^ Lester, Peter (1979-02-05). "Their Series May Get Canned, but Howard Platt and Connie Sellecca Keep on Flying High—and United". People. Retrieved 2021-05-05. But a week before the wedding, the show was renewed and we only had one day off... We're just living together and it's very comfortable
  8. ^ Buell, Bill (2014-09-25). "TV veteran Platt delighted to be one of McCourt brothers". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2021-05-05. Well, the truth is she was 18 years younger than I was, and I felt like we were from two different generations
  9. ^ Reed, JD; Alexander, Michael (October 15, 1990). "Stranded in Orbit by His Addictions, Former Buck Rogers Gil Gerard Battles His Way Back to E.A.R.T.H." People. 34 (15). Meredith Corporation: 95.
  10. ^ Basilan, Rebelander (2019-08-14). "Connie Sellecca of 'Hotel' Was Married Twice". news.amomama.com. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  11. ^ a b Cardiga, Manuela (February 19, 2020). "'Hotel' Star Connie Sellecca's Daughter Is All Grown-Up and Has Become a Gifted Dancer". news.amomama.com.
  12. ^ "AT HOME WITH: John Tesh; The Discreet Charm Of a New-Age Sport". The New York Times. March 23, 1995. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  13. ^ Crosswalk.com. "John Tesh: A Deeper Faith". Atlanta Christian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
edit