Sela Ward

Meridian native, actress, author, and producer Sela Ward attended the University of Alabama, where she double-majored in fine arts and advertising. After graduating, Ward moved to New York City and began modeling. She later moved to California to pursue an acting career.

Her breakthrough came in 1991 when she was cast in the TV series Sisters. Her performance as free-spirited Teddy Reed earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Ward has also appeared in the TV drama series House and CSI: NY. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including a CableACE, a second Primetime Emmy, and a Golden Globe Award.

Ward has also appeared in films including The Man Who Loved Women, The Fugitive, The Day After Tomorrow, The Stepfather, and Gone Girl.

Ward has made a name for herself not only through acting but also through her activism and philanthropy. In 2000, she developed and produced a documentary, The Changing Face of Beauty, which explored America’s obsession with youth and the effect this obsession has on women. That same year, she founded Hope Village for Children, which provides care to abused or neglected children.

Today, Ward continues her acting career, appearing recently as the President of the United States in the film Independence Day: Resurgence and Margaret Graves in the Epix political comedy Graves.