Sheree Julienne Wilson (born December 12, 1958) is an American actress, producer, businesswoman, and model. She is best known for her roles as April Stevens Ewing on the American primetime television series ''

Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...

'' (1986–1991) and as Alex Cahill-Walker on the television series ''

Walker, Texas Ranger ''Walker, Texas Ranger'' is an American action crime television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It was inspired by the film ''Lone Wolf McQuade'', with both this series and that film starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texa ...

'' (1993–2001).

Early life

Wilson was born in

Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

. The daughter of two IBM executives, Wilson moved to

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...

at the age of nine and graduated from Fairview High School. In 1981, she received a degree in

fashion merchandising Fashion merchandising can be defined as the planning and promotion of sales by presenting a product to the right market at the proper time, by carrying out organized, skillful advertising, using attractive displays, etc. Merchandising, within fashio ...

and business from the

University of Colorado Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder, CU, or Colorado) is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state, it is the flagship university of the University of Colorado syst ...

Career

While working in

Denver Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...

on a fashion shoot, one of the photographers mistook Wilson for a model and then introduced her to a New York modeling agent who signed her on the spot. Wilson then moved to

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

, and within 18 months, she had appeared in over 30 commercial campaigns for

Clairol Clairol is the American personal care-product division of company Wella, specializing in hair coloring and hair care. Clairol was founded in 1931 by Americans Joan Gelb and her husband Lawrence M. Gelb, with business partner and lifelong friend ...

, Sea Breeze, Keri-Lotion, and

Maybelline Maybelline New York (formerly The Maybelline Company and Mabelline and Co.), trading as Maybelline ( ), is an American multinational cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company, based in New York City. It was founded in Chicago ...

. Her print work ran in such popular magazines as ''

Mademoiselle Mademoiselle (abbreviated as ''Mlle'' or ''M'') may refer to: * Mademoiselle (title), the French-language equivalent of the title "miss" Film and television * ''Mademoiselle'' (1966 film), a French-British drama directed by Tony Richardson * '' ...

'', ''

Glamour Glamour may refer to: Arts Film * ''Glamour'' (1931 film), a British film * ''Glamour'' (1934 film), an American film * ''Glamour'' (2000 film), a Hungarian film Writing * ''Glamour'' (magazine), a magazine for women * ''The Glamour ...

'', and ''

Redbook ''Redbook'' is an American women's magazine that is published by the Hearst Corporation. It is one of the " Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines. It ceased print publication as of January 2019 and now operates an article-comprise ...

''. After three years of modeling, Wilson moved to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

for a career in acting. Her first roles included the black comedy film ''

Crimewave ''Crimewave'' is a 1985 American comedy film directed by Sam Raimi, from a screenplay he co-wrote with the Coen brothers. It stars Reed Birney, Sheree J. Wilson, Paul L. Smith, Brion James, Louise Lasser and Bruce Campbell, with the latter als ...

'' (1984) directed by

Sam Raimi Samuel M. Raimi ( ; born October 23, 1959) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the Spider-Man (2002 film series), ''Spider-Man'' trilogy (2002–2007) and the ''Evil Dead'' franchise (1981–present). He also directed the 1 ...

, ''Velvet'' (1984), an

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

Aaron Spelling Aaron Spelling (April 22, 1923 June 23, 2006) was an American film and television producer and occasional actor. His productions included the TV series ''Family'' (1976–1980), '' Charlie's Angels'' (1976–1981), ''The Love Boat'' (1977–1986 ...

television movie opposite

Leah Ayres Leah Ayres Kalish (born Leah Simpson; May 28, 1957) is an American actress, best known for her role as Janice Kent in the sports thriller ''Bloodsport'' and as Valerie Bryson on the daytime serial ''The Edge of Night''. Kalish is a Master Yoga Te ...

Shari Belafonte Shari Lynn Belafonte (born September 22, 1954) is an American actress, model, writer and singer. The daughter of singer Harry Belafonte, she began her career as a fashion model before making her big screen debut appearing in the 1982 drama film ' ...

, and

Mary Margaret Humes Mary-Margaret Humes is an American actress. She won the Miss Florida USA pageant and was third runner up in the 1975 Miss USA. Humes later began working as a television actress, appearing in a more than 50 shows, most notable playing Gail Leery, t ...

, and a guest role on the espionage series ''

Cover Up A cover-up is an attempt, whether successful or not, to :wikt:conceal, conceal evidence of wrongdoing, error, incompetence, or other embarrassment, embarrassing information. Research has distinguished personal cover-ups (covering up one's own ...

'' (1984). She had a lead role with

Tim Robbins Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film ''The Shawshank Redemption ''(1994), and has won an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for his role ...

in the comedy motion picture ''

Fraternity Vacation ''Fraternity Vacation'' is a 1985 American sex comedy teen movie starring Stephen Geoffreys as a nerdy pledge to the Theta Pi Gamma fraternity at Iowa State University, Iowa State, with Tim Robbins and Cameron Dye as Theta Pi Gamma frat boys (or, ...

'' (1985) and also appeared in a

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainmen ...

television miniseries ''Kane & Abel'' (1985) with

Peter Strauss Peter Lawrence Strauss (born February 20, 1947) is an American television and film actor, known for his roles in several television miniseries in the 1970s and 1980s. He is five-time Golden Globe Awards nominee. Early life Strauss was born in C ...

. This immediately led to ''

Our Family Honor ''Our Family Honor'' is an American drama television series that aired on ABC from September 17, 1985, until January 3, 1986, as part of its 1985 fall lineup. Launched as a two-hour TV-movie, ''Our Family Honor'' is about two New York City fam ...

'' (1985-1986), an ABC drama about

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

cops versus the

Mafia "Mafia" is an informal term that is used to describe criminal organizations that bear a strong similarity to the original “Mafia”, the Sicilian Mafia and Italian Mafia. The central activity of such an organization would be the arbitration of d ...

, in which she co-starred with

Ray Liotta Raymond Allen Liotta (; December 18, 1954 – May 26, 2022) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles as Shoeless Joe Jackson in ''Field of Dreams'' (1989) and Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's ''Goodfellas'' (1990). He was a Primeti ...

Michael Madsen Michael Søren Madsen (born September 25, 1957) is an American actor. He has starred in many films and television series, frequently collaborating with director Quentin Tarantino, most famously in the latter's debut film ''Reservoir Dogs'' (19 ...

, and

Eli Wallach Eli Herschel Wallach (; December 7, 1915 – June 24, 2014) was an American film, television, and stage actor from New York City. From his 1945 Broadway debut to his last film appearance, Wallach's entertainment career spanned 65 years. Origina ...

. Her career continued to flourish with a role in the television movie ''News at Eleven'' (1986) alongside

Martin Sheen Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez (born August 3, 1940), known professionally as Martin Sheen, is an American actor. He first became known for his roles in the films ''The Subject Was Roses'' (1968) and ''Badlands'' (1973), and later achieved wid ...

. Wilson gained the role as

April Stevens Ewing April Stevens Ewing is a fictional character that appeared in the popular American television series ''Dallas'', played by Sheree J. Wilson from 1986 to 1991. Story arc Background April Stevens married Jack Ewing (Dack Rambo) and during their di ...

on the CBS soap opera ''

'' (1986–1991). Her character was gunned down in the final season during her honeymoon (with new husband Bobby Ewing) in Paris. She continued to make some appearances in Bobby's dream sequences later that season. In reality, Wilson was killed off and left the series due to maternity. Her performance earned her the

Soap Opera Digest Award ''The Soap Opera Digest Awards'', originally known as ''The Soapy Awards'' when introduced in 1977, is an awards show held by the daytime television magazine ''Soap Opera Digest''. History 1977 until 1983 The Soapy Awards were an award presen ...

for Best Death Scene in 1991, as well as four other nominations. In 2006, she attended the TV Land Award ceremony for ''Dallas'' and in November 2008, the ''Dallas'' 30th anniversary reunion party at

Southfork Ranch Southfork Ranch is a conference and event center in Parker, in the US state of Texas, north of Dallas. It includes Ewing Mansion, the setting for the television series ''Dallas''. History The house was built in 1970 by Joe Duncan and was known ...

Parker, Texas Parker is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,462 in 2020. History The first settlers arrived in the area that is now Parker in the early 1840s. The town was named after William C. Parker, the son of the area's fi ...

, with cast members

Larry Hagman Larry Martin Hagman (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012) was an American film and television actor, director, and producer, best known for playing ruthless oil baron J. R. Ewing in the 1978–1991 primetime television soap opera, ''Dal ...

Patrick Duffy Patrick Duffy (born March 17, 1949) is an American actor and director widely known for his role on the CBS primetime soap opera ''Dallas'', where he played Bobby Ewing, the youngest son of Miss Ellie, and the nicest brother of J.R. Ewing (pla ...

Linda Gray Linda Ann Gray (born September 12, 1940) is an American film, stage and television actress, director, producer and former model, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing, the long-suffering wife of Larry Hagman's character J.R. Ewing on the C ...

Ken Kercheval Kenneth Marine Kercheval (July 15, 1935 – April 21, 2019) was an American actor, best known for his role as Cliff Barnes on the television series ''Dallas'' and its 2012 revival. Early life Kercheval was born on July 15, 1935, in Wolcottville ...

Steve Kanaly Steven Francis Kanaly (; born March 14, 1946) is an American actor, best known for his role as Ray Krebbs on the CBS primetime soap opera ''Dallas''. Early life and career Kanaly was born in Burbank, California, and grew up in the San Fernando ...

, and

Charlene Tilton Charlene L. Tilton (born December 1, 1958) is an American actress and singer. She is widely known for playing Lucy Ewing, the niece of brothers J. R. Ewing and Bobby Ewing (played by Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy), on the television seri ...

. In 1993, following guest roles in the television series '' Matlock'' (opposite

Clarence Gilyard Clarence Alfred Gilyard Jr. (December 24, 1955 – November 28, 2022) was an American university professor, actor, and author. As a performer, he appeared in film, television, and stage productions; some sources give his middle name as Alfred. ...

's former acting mentor,

Andy Griffith Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, southern gospel singer and writer whose career spanned seven decades in music and television. Known for his Southern drawl, his characte ...

), ''

Burke's Law (1994 TV series) ''Burkes Law'' is an American crime drama television series that aired on CBS during the 1993–94 and 1994–95 television seasons. It was a revival of original ''Burkes Law'' television series, and starred Gene Barry as millionaire cop Amos ...

'', and ''

Renegade Renegade or The Renegade may refer to: Aircraft *Lake Renegade, an American amphibious aircraft design *Murphy Renegade, a Canadian ultralight biplane design *Southern Aeronautical Renegade, an American racing aircraft design Games *'' Comman ...

'' (opposite

Lorenzo Lamas Lorenzo Fernando Lamas (born January 20, 1958) is an American actor. He is widely known for his role of Lance Cumson, the irresponsible grandson of Angela Channing—played by Jane Wyman—in the soap opera ''Falcon Crest'' (1981–1990), for ...

), Wilson played the lead female role in ''

Hellbound Hellbound or Hell Bound may refer to: Film and television * ''Hell Bound'' (1931 film), an American film directed by Walter Lang * ''Hell Bound'' (1957 film), an American film directed by William J. Hole Jr. * '' Hellbound: Hellraiser II'', a ...

'' opposite

Chuck Norris Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. He is a black belt in Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championshi ...

, which led to her best-known role as Alexandra "Alex" Cahill-Walker also opposite Norris in ''

'' (1993-2001). In 2005 she reprised her role in the television movie '' Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire'' which ended with her character being the victim of a courthouse shooting. This left many viewers to believe that there would be a follow-up movie which was severely impaired when CBS said that they would no longer be producing "Sunday Night Movie of the Week" projects. She also co-starred in the Showtime movie ''

Past Tense The past tense is a grammatical tense whose function is to place an action or situation in the past. Examples of verbs in the past tense include the English verbs ''sang'', ''went'' and ''washed''. Most languages have a past tense, with some hav ...

'' (1994). In 2006, Wilson appeared in ''Fragile'', the first short film by documentary filmmaker Fredric Lean. She played the lead role in television movies '' Mystery Woman: Game Time'' (2005) and ''Anna's Storm'' (2007). She produced and starred in independent films ''Killing Down'' (2006), ''The Gundown'' (2011), '' Easy Rider: The Ride Back'' (2012), and ''Dug Up'' (2013). She co-starred in the television series ''Pink'' (2007-2008) and had a guest role in the television series ''

DeVanity ''DeVanity'' is a soap opera web series which ran from April 28, 2011 to March 20, 2014. It was created, written and executive produced by Michael Caruso. Premise Richard DeVanity, patriarch of the wealthy and dysfunctional DeVanity family of Lo ...

'' (2014). She played a major role in the television movie ''Christmas Belle'' (2013), ''A Mermaid for Christmas'' (2019), and ''The Silent Natural'' (2019). In 2016, Wilson began performing in the role of Miss Daisy Werthan in the Neil Simon Film Festival's ''

Driving Miss Daisy '' Driving Miss Daisy'' is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on his 1987 play of the same name. The film stars Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Freeman reprised his ...

'' opposite her former ''

'' co-star, Clarence Gilyard.

Personal life

Wilson married Vince Morella in 2018 and currently resides in Dallas, Texas. She has two sons from a previous marriage to Paul DeRobbio (1991-2004). Wilson has been active in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride, Wings for Life aimed at healing spinal cord injuries, and White Bridle Humane Society, a horse rescue equine therapy nonprofit organization for children with developmental disabilities located in Texas. Wilson also created a line of beauty therapy skin care products.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

Attraction

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Sheree J. 1958 births American film actresses American soap opera actresses American television actresses Living people People from Rochester, Minnesota University of Colorado Boulder alumni 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses Actresses from Minnesota