Sheila Wills Explained

Sheila Wills
Birth Date:11 August 1947[1]
Birth Place:Louisiana[2]
Nationality:American
Other Names:Sheila DeWindt
Alma Mater:Occidental College[3]
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1975-present
Credits:Role as Angie on NBC-TV series B.J. and the Bear
Credits:, which produces label "Notable credit(s)"; or by
Works:, which produces label "Works" -->, numerous TV series guest or recurring appearances
Spouse:Hal DeWindt (1977-1981)
Partner:Philip Michael Thomas (1982-?)[4]
Children:Melody Thomas
India Thomas
Relatives:Deborah Lacey (sister)[5]

Sheila Wills (born August 11, 1947[1]) is an American actress, also known as Sheila DeWindt. She is known for her regular role on the television series B.J. and the Bear, and recurring roles on series including Days of Our Lives, Battlestar Galactica, and Generations.[6] [7]

Early life and education

Wills was born in Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, California. She started working at a young age, stating in 1982, "I've had a job since I was 11 - it might have been waiting tables or cleaning houses... but it helped me attain a goal".[8] Wills graduated from Occidental College, where she later became an assistant dean of admissions. She had always wanted to be an actress, and quit her job in education shortly after attending an actor's workshop in Los Angeles in 1975.

Career

Before landing the role of Angie on B.J. and the Bear, Wills made guest appearances on a number of television series, including Baretta, Kojak, Quincy, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Later television appearances included McClain's Law, The Jeffersons, and The A-Team. Wills has also modeled and appeared in commercials and films, including Goldengirl, Youngblood, and The Concorde... Airport '79.

Personal life

The actor's workshop Wills attended in 1975 was run by producer/director/actor Hal DeWindt. Wills and DeWindt married two years later. The couple divorced in 1981, and the actress returned to using the name Wills some years later.[7] Following her divorce, Wills had a relationship with actor Philip Michael Thomas. Wills and Thomas had two children together, Melody and India.[9]

Filmography (selected)

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979The Concorde... Airport '79Young Girl
1979GoldengirlDebbie
1978YoungbloodJoan
1978A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a SandwichAdmissions Clerk

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022[10] ThelmaOne episode
2022 - PresentAll AmericanMs. MarittaTwo episodes
2003ScrubsWifeEpisode: My Friend the Doctor
19977th HeavenTeacherEpisode: Dangerous Liaisons: Part 2
1996Sweet TemptationLawyerTV movie
1995Beverly Hills, 90210Professor Helen KincaidEpisode: Breast Side Up
1995TysonRuth RoperTV movie
1994Jack Reed: A Search for JusticeMary AliceTV movie
1994I Spy ReturnsLily ScottTV movie
1992Swamp ThingDaphne ScottEpisode: Dead and Married
1990Shannon's DealLiz WashingtonEpisode: Custody
1989Knots LandingTicket TakerEpisode: Road Trip
1989HunterDonna CarlisleEpisode: Teen Dreams
1989GenerationsRita Barton
1988Cagney & LaceyStaceyEpisode: "Amends"
1988The Bold and the BeautifulBeverly MurdockThree episodes
1986The A-TeamDeborah DukeEpisode: The Duke of Whispering Pines
1985Stir CrazyAngelaEpisode: The Ping Pong Caper
1984WebsterMs. OliverEpisode: Dreamland
1983-1984Days of Our LivesJoan HopkinsTwo episodes
1983The Powers of Matthew StarKerryEpisode: Brain Drain
1982The JeffersonsDede SandersonEpisode: Appointment in 8-B
1982The New Odd CoupleEpisode: That Was No Lady
1981McClain's LawEpisode: A Time of Peril
1981B.J. and the BearAngieFifteen episodes
1980Galactica 1980StewardessEpisode: The Night the Cylons Landed: Part 1
1980Quincy, M.E.Katya HesterEpisode: T.K.O.
1979Buck Rogers in the 25th CenturyMajor FieldsEpisode: Planet of the Slave Girls
1978Battlestar GalacticaLieutenant DeitraTwo episodes
1978SwitchCleo JohnsonEpisode: Photo Finish
1978BarettaMinnieEpisode: The Bundle
1977KojakLeilahEpisode: The Summer of '69: Part 1
1976-1977The Six Million Dollar ManRhonda/SalesladyTwo episodes
1975Marcus Welby, M.D.ClerkEpisode: The Medea Factor

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Birth reference results for: Sheila Wills DeWindt. Familysearch.org. November 27, 2018.
  2. Sheila De Windt: BJ And Bear Star Says Beauty Can Be A Handicap. August 6, 1981. Jet. 54–56. Johnson Publishing Company. January 2, 2017.
  3. Sylvia P. Flanagan. Sheila DeWindt Combines Successful Career With Motherhood. October 21, 1985. Jet. 55–57. January 2, 2017.
  4. Book: Celebrity Beat. May 9, 1983. Jet. 54. January 2, 2017.
  5. Book: Celebrity Beat. March 3, 1986. Jet. January 2, 2017.
  6. Book: Kathleen Fearn-Banks. The A to Z of African-American Television. August 4, 2009. Scarecrow Press. 9780810863484. 106.
  7. People Are Talking About.... May 21, 1990. Jet. 55. Johnson Publishing Company. January 2, 2017.
  8. Sheila De Windt Plays Tough Cop On TV. May 3, 1982. Jet. 58–59. Johnson Publishing Company. January 2, 2017.
  9. Carol Wallace. The Ego Has Landed. People. January 2, 2017. December 9, 1985.
  10. Web site: Sheila Wills IMDbPro . 2023-03-04 . pro.imdb.com.