Charlotte Ross (born January 21, 1968) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Eve Donovan on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1987 to 1991, and as Detective Connie McDowell on the ABC police procedural drama series NYPD Blue from 2001 to 2004.
Early life Ross was born in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, Illinois, on January 21, 1968, and grew up there. Her parents are Debbie Ross Kullby, and Peter Ross (died 2009), who was a financial advisor.
Career After graduating from New Trier High School, Ross moved to Los Angeles, which her father opposed.
Ross's run on Days of Our Lives lasted from 1987 to 1991, earning her two Emmy Award nominations. Her other television credits include the musical drama series The Heights (where she sang on the Billboard Number One hit "How Do You Talk to an Angel"), The 5 Mrs. Buchanans, Drexell's Class, Pauly, Law & Order, Trinity, Beggars and Choosers, Frasier, Savage Land, Jake in Progress, Fall Into Darkness, and A Kiss So Deadly (which reunited with her Days co-star Charles Shaughnessy). She also co-starred in the Lifetime original films Montana Sky and Christmas in Paradise (both 2007). She earned a Gold record in 1992 for her work as a singer on the soundtrack album to The Heights.
Ross also played Connie McDowell in the ABC police procedural drama series NYPD Blue from 2001 to 2004. On February 25, 2003, Ross appeared in an NYPD Blue episode entitled "Nude Awakening", which featured shots of her buttocks as she prepared to step into the shower.
In 2006, Ross joined Billy Blanks to co-host a series of Tae-Bo infomercials. In 2011, Ross appeared as Candy in Summit's 3D film Drive Angry, alongside Nicolas Cage and Amber Heard. From 2009 to 2012, Ross began a recurring role on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee as Judy Fabray, the mother of Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron). She appeared in four episodes. In 2013, Ross began starring in the VH1 sports drama series Hit the Floor. In 2014, Ross passed on an offer to return to Days of Our Lives as Eve Donovan, and her role was recast with Kassie DePaiva because she was too busy with other acting projects. Ross made a guest appearance in the ABC musical drama series Nashville. Later in the same year, she was cast as Felicity Smoak's mother in The CW superhero series, Arrow.
Personal life Ross married Michael Goldman in 2003, and they have a son. The couple separated in 2008. Ross currently resides in Los Angeles.
Activism In 2002, Ross supported PETA's anti-fur campaign by appearing naked in advertisements captioned "I'd Rather Show My Buns Than Wear Fur".
In 2014, Ross signaled her support to the Animal Legal Defense Fund campaign "National Justice for Animals Week" by filming a video.
Filmography Film Year Title Role NotesRef.1986Touch and GoCourtney's Girlfriend1994Foreign StudentElizabeth 'Sue Ann' BaldridgeLove and a .45Mary AnnSavage LandMandy1998Looking for LolaDebbie2007MoolaNoraLive!Jennifer2011Drive AngryCandyStreet Kings 2: Motor CityBeth KingstonDirect-to-videoBillie SatrianoShort film2014Rita Mahtoubian is Not a TerroristLanaShort film
Television
Year Title Role NotesRef.1987–1991Days of Our LivesEve Baron DonovanSeries regular; role from July 16, 1987, to July 12, 1991Nominated – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series (1990–1991)1991She Says She's Innocent aka Violation of TrustJustine EssexTelevision filmReasonable DoubtsMeredith LittleEpisode: "Dicky's Got the Blues"1992Empty NestAntoinetteEpisode: "Sayonara"Drexell's ClassJanetEpisode: "The Resentments"Married... with ChildrenDarleneEpisode: "Teacher Pets"Hope LindenSeries regular; 13 episodes1994BirdlandRonnieEpisode: "Crazy for You"1994–1995Bree BuchananSeries regular; 17 episodes1995–1996Murder OneStephanie LambertEpisodes: "Chapter Eight" and "Chapter Seventeen"1996ERAngelEpisode: "The Right Thing"Minor AdjustmentsAmyEpisode: "Baba-Doo-Wang"Amanda BlakeTelevision filmFall into DarknessAnn PriceTelevision film1997PaulyDawn DelaneySeries regular; 7 episodes1998Susan PetersonTV miniseriesTrinityFiona McCallisterSeries regular; 10 episodesNYPD BlueLaurie RichardsonEpisodes: "The One That Got Away" and "I Don't Wanna Dye"1999Kidnapped in ParadiseMegan EmersonTelevision film1999–2001Beggars and ChoosersLori VolponeSeries regular; 42 episodes2001FrasierMonicaEpisode: "Sliding Frasiers"2001–2004NYPD BlueDet. Connie McDowellSeries regular; 70 episodes2006Jake in ProgressAnnie3 episodes2007Law & OrderJudith BarlowEpisode: "Talking Points"Montana SkyTess MercyTelevision film (Lifetime)Christmas in ParadiseDana MarinoTelevision film (Lifetime)2008Ring of DeathMary WyattTelevision film (Spike)2009CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSabrina OwenEpisode: "If I Had a Hammer..."2009–2012GleeJudy Fabray4 episodes2013Hit the FloorOlivia VincentSeries regular (season 1)2014NashvilleRuth BennettEpisode: "Guilty Street"2014–2017ArrowDonna SmoakRecurring role (seasons 3–4 & 6); 12 episodes2026Wonder ManBridgetEpisode: "Doorman"
References
External links
Charlotte Ross as Olivia Vincent on VH1's Hit the Floor