The American author, motivational speake, and actress Nancy Stafford, rose to prominence in the ‘80s for her role as Michelle Thomas in the legal drama “Matlock”, and is also famous for her role as Phillis Summer in the acclaimed soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”
Age, Early Life, and Education Background
Nancy Elizabeth Stafford is a native of Wilton Manors, Florida, and was born under the Gemini zodiac sign on 5 June 1954, which makes her 68 years old as of 2022. She was born to a Wilton Manors City Clerk, Marcia Stafford, and her husband Leslie Stafford, and was raised in a Southern Baptist household. She has an elder brother, Tracy Eugene Stafford, who was born in January 1948 and followed in his mother’s footsteps to become Wilton Manors’ Mayor from 1986 to 1990, and also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1990 to 2000.
Nancy went to Fort Lauderdale High School and matriculated in 1972, subsequently joining the University of Florida, and graduated with a BA degree in Journalism in 1976. Nancy was crowned Miss Florida in that year, when she was 22 years old, and went on to compete in several other beauty contests, including the Miss America Pageant in 1977. She previously revealed that she grew up a reserved and shy teenager, because she was raised in a close-knit family, and describes her venture into the showbiz industry as a God-orchestrated coincidence.
Facts and Hobbies
Stafford is a committed philanthropist, and has partnered with her husband to construct a ranch, which offers shelter to artists and believers in need of a place to heal and rest.
She was a loyal fan of the late acclaimed actor, Andy Griffith, who was her mentor and friend for over 26 years. She is also friends with the retired western actor and horse rancher, Robert Fuller.
Some of her best-loved films are “The Hateful Eight,” “Django Unchained,” and Rango.”
Nancy is a big lover of animals, especially dogs, horses and cats, and has even written a book about them.
She was diagnosed with skin cancer when she was in her mid-20s, went for treatment and is now cancer-free.
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Career
Career Beginnings and TV Appearances
The “Matlock” starlet was signed to the Ford Model Agency and served as a public relations expert for several months. She landed her first TV role as Felecia in 1982, in an episode of the acclaimed drama “The Doctors.” She was later cast for the recurring role of Joan Halloran in 30 episodes of the drama “St. Elsewhere” between 1983 to 1986, and shared the screen with David Morse, Ed Begley Jr., and Howie Mandel. Subsequently, she appeared in single episodes of several shows, such as “Magnum, P.I.,” “Hunter,” and several others from 1984 – 1986.
Nancy landed the role of Patricia in 23 episodes of the ABC’s martial arts show “Sidekicks” (1986-’87) and her big break came in 1986, when she was cast in Dean Hargrove’s series “Matlock” which won over five awards including a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy and People’s Choice Award, in addition to receiving several other award nominations. The series is about the life of a proficient and costly criminal defense lawyer, who has his ways of defending his clients, and starred Kene Holiday, Andy Griffith and Linda Purl. The show aired on NBC and American Broadcasting Company (ABC) for nine seasons from 1986 – 1995.
Nancy appeared in single episodes of many series, such as “Quantum Leap,” “Frasier” and “Baywatch,” among others, before the century ended. She was later seen in “Judging Amy” in 2003, and her most recent notable appearance is as BNC Anchor in “Scandal” in 2017 and 2018.
Film Appearances
After making her film debut in the Larry Cohen-directed 1982 horror “Q,” Stafford appeared in several unsuccessful films. She caught the public’s attention with her 2004 portrayal of Lady in the Park in the Lauren E. Roman and Scott Waara-starred short comedy “The Proverb.” 2013 saw her playing Teri in Michael Gier’s drama, “Foreclosed” and she then appeared in 10 films that failed to attract much attention. Her most recent appearance is in 2019’s comedy, “Faith, Hope, and Love,” which stars Michael Richards and Peta Murgatroyd, and she’s set to appear in the Matthew Reithmayr-directed film “Paul’s Promise,” which will be released on 21 October 2022.
Writing Career
Nancy has written a few books, such as “Beauty by the Book: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You,” which was published by Multnomah in February 2002, and “Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God,” which was released in November 2011. She is also the author of “Fire Angel Story of Roxie: From Puppyhood to Adult and Beyond,” which follows the story of her caring and loving pets, and was published in August 2019.
Award and Nominations
Stafford received a Grace Award nomination for Most Inspiring TV Acting for her role in the family comedy film “Christmas with a Capital C” in 2011. Six years later, she was nominated for two awards for her performance in the comedy “Heritage Falls” – an International Christian Film Festival Award in the category of Best Actress in a Feature Film and a Great Lakes Christian Film Festival Award in the category of Best Actress.
One of my fave movies I've been in…you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be inspired!! Set your DVR for tomorrow 6 PM ET on INSP! https://t.co/NCFsQkJ9Ie
— Nancy Stafford (@nancy_stafford) June 12, 2018
Personal Life
Nancy has been married to Pastor Larry Myers for over three decades now. The duo met in the late ‘80s in a Marina Del Rey-based gym, where Larry approached her while she was cycling and reading. They dated for a few years before moving in together, and the couple walked the aisle at Stafford’s parents’ home in Wilton Manor in 1989, attended by only around 70 family members and guests. The duo is seemingly living a happy life, and like attending major events together – they were previously seen at Seven Arts Presents the Grand Opening of Wine Bar and Ritual Café in 2013. Nancy is reported to have a grandson and a stepdaughter, but she hasn’t shared any child with her husband.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Nancy is of Caucasian ethnicity, and has blue eyes and long blonde hair. She is slimly built, weighs around 145lbs (65kgs), and is 5ft 9ins (1.75m) tall. Her waist and hips measure around 24 and 33 ins respectively.
Net Worth
Nancy has appeared in many projects in the four decades that she’s been active in the showbiz industry and has made a name for herself as an actress. She’s accumulated a net worth of approximately $5 million, as of late-2022.
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