Brenda Strong

Brenda Lee Strong (born March 25, 1960) is an American actress and yoga instructor. She began her career appearing in guest starring and recurring roles on television shows, include Twin Peaks, Party of Five, Seinfeld, and Sports Night, and was regular cast member in short-lived sitcoms Scorch (1992), and The Help (2004).

Strong had supporting roles in a number of films, include Starship Troopers (1997), Black Dog (1998), The Deep End of the Ocean (1999), Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation (2004) and The Work and the Glory (2004). She is best known for her role as Mary Alice Young in the ABC television comedy-drama series, Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards. Strong later starred as Ann Ewing in the TNT prime time soap opera, Dallas (2012–2014), and set to play Queen Nia in the third season of The CW post-apocalyptic drama series, The 100.

Early life

Strong was born in Brightwood, Oregon, and grew up near Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1978 from Sandy Union High School in Sandy, Oregon. She later moved to Arizona to attend college, and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Music in musical theater. Strong was crowned Miss Arizona in 1980; she is 6'0" (1.83 m) tall.