Maura West

Maura West DeFreitas (born Maura Jo Snyder; April 27, 1972) is an American actress, best known for her 15-year portrayal as Carly Snyder on the CBS daytime soap opera As the World Turns, a role she held from 1995 until the series finale in 2010. West later portrayed the role Diane Jenkins on The Young and the Restless from September 2010 to August 2011, and as of 2013, currently portrays mob heiress Ava Jerome on General Hospital.

Early life

West was born on April 27, 1972 in Springfield, Massachusetts as the youngest of four children. Growing up in Ludlow, Massachusetts, West attended Boston University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.

Career

In 1995, West joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns in the role of Carly Tenney. She held the role from April 11, 1995 to May 8, 1996. West later returned to the role on September 10, 1997, remaining on the series, until its television finale on September 17, 2010. West has received a number of honors for her portrayal of Carly, including nominations for the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Villainess in 1996, for Outstanding Younger Lead Actress 1999 and 2000, for Favorite Couple in 2001, an award which she shared with co-star Michael Park. She received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2001 and 2002. West also received three nominations for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2004, 2008 and 2009; only winning twice, once in 2007 and in 2010. At the 32nd Daytime Emmy Awards, West and Park received a nomination for the Special Fan Award for Most Irresistible Combination.