Roma Downey Biography

Fast Facts

• Has served as the Smile Ambassador for the organization Operation Smile, which advocates for children who are born with a cleft lip or palate
• Was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for best actress in 1991 for her role in "The Playboy of the Western World․"
• Earned her master's degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica and trained in acting at the Drama Studio in London
• In 2009, she received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business
• Before becoming an actor, she studied painting at the Brighton College of Art
• Is primarily known for taking on the roles of sentimental characters
• Although hailing from Ireland, she was once refused a part in an Irish Spring Soap TV commercial because she was told that she did not sound Irish enough
• Wrote the children's book "Love Is a Family․"
• Was originally offered the lead role in "Xena: Warrior Princess," but decided to turn the part down