Shelley Morrison

Shelley Morrison has had a remarkable and fascinating forty-plus year career in show business, co-starring in feature films with the likes of Hollywood legends Gregory Peck, William Holden, Barbara Streisand, and Sally Field, to co-starring on one of television's most acclaimed situation comedies.

A Jewish woman of Spanish descent, born in New York City and raised in the South Bronx, Morrison is better known for her portrayal of "Rosario," the feisty, wisecracking maid on NBC's hit comedy Will and Grace. As "Rosario," she takes great pride in portraying an older, Hispanic woman who is tough, smart, and able to hold her own. The show earned the Emmy for Best Comedy in 2000 and the SAG Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2001. The show also earned a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, and Morrison herself received an ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) nomination for supporting actress.

Remaining on the periphery of character stardom all these years, Morrison started out on TV in such popular shows as The Farmer's Daughter and Laredo, making a career out of an assortment of ethnic roles, and went on to appear on Murder, she wrote, LA Law, and Home Improvement. In films she played Indian squaws in Three Guns for Texas1and Mackenna's Gold, as well as minor Hispanic roles in Castle of Evil, Man and Boy, and Troop Beverly Hills. Other movies include, Divorce American Style, Funny Girl, Max Dugan Returns, Fools Rush In, and she is also fondly remembered as the adorably shy but spirited "Sister Sixto" alongside Sally Field in The Flying Nun. She has also appeared on many TV shows including. More recently, Morrison has broken into the voice-over world, lending her voice in a number of animated feature films and television shows.

Morrison now practices the spiritual tradition of the Lakota Sioux, and reveals her compelling personality and generous spirit as a tireless supporter for several charitable foundations. She dedicates much of her time the LA Shanti, one of Los Angeles' oldest charities for AIDS/HIV, and A.N.G.E.L.S Day, an organization aiding senior citizens and the care for their animal companions in times of crisis, among others. She also lobbies government agencies to provide low-income people with access to tests for early cancer detection.

As a recent breast and lung-cancer survivor, Morrison is dedicated to sharing her experience, offering hope and inspiration to those struggling with illness, always managing to retain a spirit of peace and optimism that is as infectious as her winning smile.