Cynthia Geary
Cynthia Geary (born March 21, 1965) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Shelly Tambo on the television series Northern Exposure (1990–1995), which earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Cynthia Geary

Alan Light · photo by Alan Light · cynthiageary_robmorrow_janineturner-2 · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Cynthia Geary
- Born
- 21 March 1965
- Birthplace
- Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
- Education
- University of Mississippi
- Occupation
- Actress
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Cynthia Geary (born March 21, 1965) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Shelly Tambo on the television series Northern Exposure (1990–1995), which earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
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Cynthia Geary (born 1965) is an actress, of American nationality. The actress was born in Jackson. Cynthia Geary was educated at University of Mississippi. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Cynthia Geary • Born — 21 March 1965 • Birthplace — Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. • Education — University of Mississippi • Occupation — Actress • Years Active — 1982–present • Children — 2
Early life and career
Early life and career
• Illustration — Cynthia Geary, Rob Morrow and Janine Turner at the 45th Primetime Emmy Awards Governor's Ball, September 1993 Cynthia Geary was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, the youngest of four children born to John Hart Geary and Shirley Hester (the latter a voice and music teacher who encouraged her daughter to study voice, piano and ballet), Geary attended Jackson Preparatory School and the University of Mississippi, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal performance. Her acting career began with a series of national commercials, including spots for Coca-Cola and General Motors. She soon had numerous guest starring roles on a variety of television programs, made-for-television movies and independent films, including a small part in Smoke Signals, a film based on the short stories of Native American author Sherman Alexie. Geary played the mother of the Olsen twins in their 1992 made-for-TV movie To Grandmother's House We Go, appeared in the 1997 movie When Time Expires, and is the female lead in 8 Seconds. She received Primetime Emmy nominations—two years in a row (1992, 1993)--for Best Supporting Actress, based on her role in Northern Exposure (1990-1995), an ensemble comedy set in rural Alaska. She voiced the character of Katia Anderson in the second game of the Professor Layton video game series, Professor Layton and the Diabolical/Pandora's Box. Beginning in 2022, she starred for 2 seasons in the American Pureflix television series Going Home. In 2024, she recurs in the Netflix series Penelope as the title character's mother. She also filmed the independent movie Inheritance.
Personal life
Personal life
Geary married real estate broker Robert Coron in 1994. They divorced in 2018. They have two daughters.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1990–1995 — Northern Exposure — Shelly Marie Tambo — Regular role, 110 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1992–93) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series • 1990 — The New Adam-12 — Marine Bride — Episode: "Immunity" • 1991 — Us — Crystal — Television movie • 1992 — To Grandmother's House We Go — Rhonda Thompson — Television movie • 1995 — The Awakening — Sara — Television movie • 1998 — You're the One — Lindsay Metcalf — 3 episodes • 1998 — The Outer Limits — Teryl Bouton — Episode: "Mary 25" • 1998 — Love Boat: The Next Wave — The Twins — Episode: "It Takes Two to Tango" • 1998 — Fantasy Island — Pamela Louis — Episode: "Dying to Dance" • 1999 — Dead Man's Gun — Dr. Megan Jane Price — Episode: "The Oath" • 2012 — Bigfoot — Sueanne — Television movie • 2022- — Going Home — Charley Copeland — Regular role, Television series

1993 Emmy Awards
Alan Light · photo by Alan Light · Cynthia Geary Uploaded by MaybeMaybeMaybe

1993 Emmy Awards
Alan Light · photo by Alan Light · Cynthia Geary Uploaded by MaybeMaybeMaybe
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1982 — Young Doctors in Love — Girl with broken nose — Uncredited • 1988 — Dangerous Curves — Pageant Girl • 1990 — Rich Girl — Sorority Girl #1 • 1994 — 8 Seconds — Kellie Frost • 1997 — When Time Expires — June Kelly • 1998 — Smoke Signals — Cathy the Gymnast • 1998 — The Killing Grounds — Janice Harper • 1998 — Break Up — Emergency Operator • 2002 — The Business of Fancydancing — Teresa • 2002 — Mulletville — Jiffy • 2006 — Expiration Date — Funeral Home Representative • 2009 — Crimes of the Past — Agent Cotton • 2012 — Switchmas — Libby Wilson • 2013 — Nothing Against Life — Barbara Anker • 2014 — Muffins — Woman 1 — Short film • 2015 — Signs Everywhere — Wife — Short film • 2016 — Apotheosis — Eve — Short film • 2023 — Due Justice — Dr. Delaney
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Today in History: Today's Birthdays. Charleston Gazette-Mail. D3. March 21, 2019.
- 2.Koutsky, Judy. ‘Northern Exposure’ Cast Then and Now: Catch Up with Dr. Fleischman and Small-Town Alaska Crew. Yahoo. January 26, 2024.
- 3.Inman, Ed. 2023 Mississippi obituaries: Notable figures who passed away this year. Hattiesburg American. A1. December 31, 2023.
- 4.Tribune Media Services (April 19, 1998). "What happens when opposites attract". The Reporter Dispatch TV Book. p. 55. retrieved July 29, 2024.
- 5.Porter, Paige. For Cynthia Geary: Home Is Where the Heat Is. Clarion-Ledger. E1. July 28, 1999.
- 6.Katia Anderson. Behind The Voice Actors.
- 7.Staff, Closer. 'Northern Exposure': Cynthia Geary Divorce Gave Confidence for Acting. Closer Weekly. 2022-08-07.
- 8.Chilling Out. People. December 24, 2001.
- 9.Nomura, Gabrielle. Daughters of 'Northern Exposure' actress take the stage with Bellevue Youth Theatre. Bellevue Reporter. May 3, 2011.
References
Citations
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