Connie Sellecca Explained

Connie Sellecca
Birth Name:Concetta Sellecchia
Birth Date:25 May 1955
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Occupation:Actress, spokesperson
Years Active:1976–present
Spouse:
    Partner:Howard Platt (1978–1979)
    Children:2

    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]

    Early life

    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

    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 , 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

    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

    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1978The Bermuda DepthsJennifer 'Jennie' HaniverTV movie
    1978–79Flying HighLisa Benton19 episodes
    1979Dr. Wendy DayTV movie
    She's Dressed to Kill Alix GoldmanTV movie
    1980Beyond WestworldPamela Williams4 episodes
    1981–83, 1986The Greatest American HeroPam Davidson/Hinkley41 episodes
    1983–88HotelChristine Francis115 episodes
    Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1987)
    1984Finder of Lost LovesSara Hawthorne NevinsEpisode: "Goodbye, Sara"
    1985International AirportDana FredricksTV movie
    1987The Last FlingGloria FranklinTV movie
    Downpayment on MurderKaren CardellTV movie
    1989Brotherhood of the RoseErika BernsteinMiniseries
    Turn Back the ClockStephanie PowersTV movie
    1990Miracle LandingMimi TompkinsTV movie
    People Like UsRuby Nolte RenthallTV movie
    Mulberry StreetConnie SavoiaTV movie
    1991–92P.S. I Luv UDani Powell13 episodes
    1992A House of Secrets and LiesSusanTV movie
    Eye of the StormPatricia 'Pete' PetersonMovie
    1993Passport to MurderHelen HollanderTV movie
    1994She Led Two LivesRebecca MadisonTV movie
    1993–94Second ChancesDianne Benedict6 episodes
    1995A Dangerous AffairSharon BlakeTV movie
    The SurrogateJoan QuinnTV movie
    A Holiday to RememberCarolyn GiblinTV movie
    1997While My Pretty One SleepsNeeve KearnyTV movie
    Something Borrowed, Something BlueMonique D'ArcyTV movie
    Doomsday RockKatherineTV movie
    1999Dangerous WatersSarahTV movie
    2002Anna's DreamLeslie MorganTV movie
    2001I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa ClausStephanie CarverTV movie
    2009The Wild StallionMattyDirect-to-DVD
    2012All About Christmas EveElizabeth ColeTV movie
    2013–15Intelligence for Your LifeHerself/host TV series

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Connie Sellecca :Biography. MSN Movies. https://web.archive.org/web/20090810060718/https://movies.msn.com/celebrities/celebrity-biography/connie-sellecca/. August 10, 2009.
    2. Web site: Marianna Sellecchia Obituary (2020) New York Times. Legacy.com.
    3. Web site: Tullio Ubaldo Sellecchia Obituary. The Journal News. January 23, 2011. July 24, 2020.
    4. Web site: Connie Sellecca - About This Person. https://web.archive.org/web/20130813093600/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/64435/Connie-Sellecca/biography. dead. 2013-08-13. Movies & TV Dept.. The New York Times. Jason Buchanan. 2013. 2012-05-29.
    5. Web site: Connie Sellecca- Biography.
    6. Web site: The Wild Stallion. www.rottentomatoes.com.
    7. Their Series May Get Canned, but Howard Platt and Connie Sellecca Keep on Flying High—and United . Peter . Lester . . 1979-02-05 . 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. News: TV veteran Platt delighted to be one of McCourt brothers . Bill . Buell . . 2014-09-25 . 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. Stranded in Orbit by His Addictions, Former Buck Rogers Gil Gerard Battles His Way Back to E.A.R.T.H. . Reed . JD . Alexander. Michael . People. 34 . 15 . 95 . Meredith Corporation . October 15, 1990.
    10. Web site: Basilan . Rebelander . 2019-08-14 . Connie Sellecca of 'Hotel' Was Married Twice . 2022-03-21 . news.amomama.com . en.
    11. Web site: 'Hotel' Star Connie Sellecca's Daughter Is All Grown-Up and Has Become a Gifted Dancer. Manuela. Cardiga. February 19, 2020. news.amomama.com.
    12. News: AT HOME WITH: John Tesh; The Discreet Charm Of a New-Age Sport. March 23, 1995. The New York Times. August 19, 2011.
    13. Web site: John Tesh: A Deeper Faith. 2007-06-20. Atlanta Christian Magazine. Crosswalk.com. 2007-10-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20071021082040/http://www.atlantachristianweb.com/celeb_features/tesh.asp. dead.