Emma "Emma Samms" Samuelson

At A Glance

Emma Samms (ne Samuelson) was born into a happy, affluent family in London in the summer of 1960. At age six, she began studying at the prestigious Royal Ballet School. But Samms' charmed youth was marred when her younger brother died of a rare blood disease. Samms escaped the pain by focusing on dance, but an injury she sustained at age 16 ended her ballet career. After a brief modeling stint, Samms took up acting. Her first role, in the 1979 movie Arabian Adventure, garnered her the British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer. At the movie's London premiere, a benefit for sick children, Samms befriended a young boy named Sean who had been diagnosed with cancer. Their bond continued even after she moved to the United States.

In America, Samms was forced to pay her acting dues all over again; in 1981, she landed a part opposite Mark Harmon in the flick Goliath Awaits. Samms also brought Sean and his mother out to California to fulfill his dream of visiting Disneyland. Encouraged by the positive experience, Samms and her cousin started the Starlight Children's Foundation in honor of Samms' deceased brother. The foundation grants wishes to sick children. As Samms' organization grew, so did her career. In 1982, she joined the cast of General Hospital as the devious Holly Sutton. Four years later, at age 24, she attained international fame as heroine Fallon Carrington on the prime-time soap Dynasty. Meanwhile, Samms' off screen life was tainted by two failed marriages.

As the indulgent '80s ended, so did the decadent Dynasty. Samms reprised her role on General Hospital before joining the ill-fated show Models Inc. in 1994. Luckily, her personal life was faring better; she reconnected with childhood friend John Holloway and married him in 1996. The couple moved to the English countryside and had two children, son Cameron and daughter Beatrice. Samms continues to perform in made-for-TV movies and has written and sold several screenplays. Throughout her career, she has always used her fame to help others. Today, the Starlight Children's Foundation helps more than 100,000 children each month in 1,000 hospitals throughout the world.

Acting Portfolio: TELEVISION

Doctors
Amanda Clay
2005-

Supernova
Laurie Stephenson
2005

Pretend You Don't See Her
lacey Farrell
2002

Humanoids from the Deep
Dr. Drake
1996

Treacherous Beauties
Anne Marie Kerr
1994

Models Inc.
Grayson Louder
1994

Harmful Intent
Kelly Everson
1993

Shadow of a Stranger
Sarah Clinton
1992

Illusions
Laura Sanderson
1992

Bejewelled
Stacey
1991

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
Queen Guinevere
1989

The Lady and the Highwayman
Barbara Castlemaine
1989

Murder in Three Acts
Jennifer 'Egg' Eastman
1986

The Colbys
Fallon Carrington Colby
1985-1987

Dynasty
Fallon Carrington Colby
1985, 1987-1989

Ellis Island
Violet Weiler
1984

General Hospital
Holly Sutton Scorpio
1982 to 1985; 1992 to 1993; February 20, 2006 to February 28, 2006; May 1, 2006 to May 19, 2006; June 30, 2006; May 11, 2009 to June 2, 2009; February 28, 2012 to March 8, 2012; August 2, 2013 to August 19, 2013

Goliath Awaits
Lea McKenzie
1981

More Wild Wild West
Mirabelle Merriwether
1980

Arabian Adventure
Princess Zuleira
1979

Acting Portfolio: FILM

Pets
Rebecca
1999

The Little Unicorn
Lucy Regan
1998

Terminal Voyage
Becker
1994

Delirious
Rachel Hedison/Laura Claybourne
1991

The Shrimp on the Barbie
Alex
1990

Vital Statistics

PLACE OF BIRTH: London, England, United Kingdom

DATE OF BIRTH: August 28, 1960

HEIGHT: 5' 4"

MARITAL STATUS: Single

PAST MARRIAGES: John Holloway (1996 - Sep 2003); Tim Dillon (Jan 1994 - Oct 1995); Bansi Nagji (Feb 23, 1991 - May 27, 1992)

CHILDREN: Two; Son, Cameron (1997) and daughter, Beatrice (Mar 30, 1998)