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.

Early life

Sellecca was born Concetta Sellecchia in The Bronx to Italian parents, Primo Sellecchia and Marianna Acampora, who were married from 1952 until Primo's death in 1987. 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.

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 Captain America II: Death Too Soon, 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. 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.

Personal life

Tesh, Prima and Sellecca at the Step Up 2: The Streets premiere in 2008

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. The relationship ended before any renewed wedding date could take place. Sellecca was married to actor Gil Gerard from 1979 to 1987, and they share a son, Gib. On April 4, 1992, she married pianist and then-Entertainment Tonight host John Tesh. They have one daughter, Prima. Like Tesh, Sellecca is a Christian.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978The Bermuda DepthsJennifer 'Jennie' HaniverTV movie
1978–79Flying HighLisa Benton19 episodes
1979Captain America II: Death Too SoonDr. Wendy DayTV movie
She's Dressed to KillAlix GoldmanTV movie
1980Beyond WestworldPamela Williams4 episodes
1981–83The 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/hostTV series

External links