Childhood & Early Life
Amy Van Nostrand was born on April 11, 1953, in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Ever since she was young, she had been attracted to performing arts and took lessons in acting and dancing as a kid.
Her passion for acting grew overtime as she began performing at schools in functions and ceremonies. As a teenager, she played several roles in theatrical plays and public opera houses. Apart from appearing in the high school theatrical productions, she joined Huntington Theatre Company and performed with them regularly as it was near to her house.
Also a good student academically, she graduated high school and in order to further her goals of becoming a well-trained actress, she enrolled into Brown University and pursued a bachelor’s degree in arts. She has also studied in the Trinity Repertory as a Peter Kaplan Fellow.
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Career
She had a knack for acting and ever since she graduated from the Brown University, she did theatrical plays with many local theatre companies such as Huntington Theatre Company, George Street Playhouse, Trinity Rep among others. She spent almost all her 20s working in theatrical productions and did not move to Los Angeles to pursue screen acting until she was well in her late 20s.
When she finally did, she made her debut in 1981 with a supporting role as Gwen Van Osburgh in the TV film titled ‘The House of Mirth.’ The film received some very good reviews with most praises directed towards the performances.
After a semi-successful beginning to her screen acting career, she took 3 years to appear in her next project. She kept herself busy doing theatres during that time. She made a comeback in 1984, playing Carol Terry/Bon Bon Le Chocolat in the television series titled ‘Cagney & Lacey.’ She appeared in three episodes of the series.
In 1987, she appeared in two television series’ back to back. First, it was a guest appearance in the series titled ‘Vietnam War Story,’ playing Waller in the episode titled ‘Home.’ She followed it with the role of Nancy Shacter in the episode titled ‘The Grace of Wrath’ of the series titled ‘L.A. Law.’ Towards the end of the year, she appeared playing a supporting role in the TV film titled ‘Kids like These.’
She made her film debut in the same year, playing a small role in the fantasy comedy film titled ‘Made in Heaven.’ The film was a failure, both critically and commercially.
In 1993, she appeared playing the lead role in the play titled ‘The Colorado Catechism.’ The play was performed at Coast Playhouse in Los Angeles, and was met with huge critical and commercial acclaim. Amy ended up winning a Drama-Logue Award for her performance.
In the same year, she was hired to play a supporting role as Linda Smith in the disaster television film titled ‘The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children?’ She followed it with the role of Emily in the TV film titled ‘Dangerous Heart.’
In the mid-1990s, she appeared playing guest roles in series’ such as ‘Wings’ and ‘The Practice,’ followed by a recurring role as Janice in the popular sitcom titled ‘Frasier.’
In 1999, she played Mary Ann White in the televised play titled ‘Execution of Justice,’ in which she played a supporting role.
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As for her film career, in the 1990s, she appeared playing supporting roles in two films – ‘Ruby Cairo’ and ‘Outside Providence.’
In 2001, she appeared playing a guest role as Grace Tully in the episode titled ‘And in That Darkness’ of the series titled ‘The Fugitive.’
In 2004, she appeared playing supporting roles in two television films, such as ‘Bereft’ and ‘Landslide.’
Her last television appearance was in the legal drama series titled ‘Law & Order.’ As for her film career, her last film role was in the 2008 film titled ‘Ghost Town.’
In addition to her acting work, she has served as an associate producer on the 1999 film titled ‘Seven Girlfriends’ and was a co-producer on the 2016 science fiction film titled ‘Black Road.’
As for her theatrical career, she has consistently appeared in theatrical plays as her film and television career never actually took off. In the 2000s, she appeared in plays such as ‘Something You Did,’ ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘A View from the Bridge.’
She also serves as a member of Board of Directors of the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company.
Family & Personal Life
Amy Van Nostrand dated actor Tim Daly during her repertory theatre days in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The couple got married in 1982. However, the couple got divorced in 2010, after 28 years of being married.
The couple has two children together- Sam Daly and Emelyn Daly. Both their children went on becoming actors, following the footsteps of their parents.
Facts About Amy Van Nostrand
Amy Van Nostrand is an accomplished actress with a diverse range of roles in both film and television.
She is known for her love of animals and actively supports various animal welfare organizations.
In addition to her acting career, Amy has also dabbled in producing and directing theater projects.
She is an avid reader and enjoys exploring different genres of literature in her free time.
Amy is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about her own experiences with anxiety and depression.