Television critics and fans alike agree that Calista Flockhart's sudden rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. Ally McBeal co-star Courtney Thorne-Smith hasn't been quite so fortunate.
Before landing the role of Georgia on Ally McBeal, Smith appeared in six feature films and starred in five different TV series and specials. Some of those roles have been memorable (Alison on Melrose Place, for instance) while others have been somewhat forgettable (Stacy Hamilton on the short-lived 1986 Fast Times at Ridgemont High TV series.) Others have even been regrettable (remember her role as Jenny in Revenge of the Nerds 11: Nerds in Paradise?)
Successfully stepping out of one hit TV series and into another is more in character with Georgia than with Courtney's real-life self. And, no only did Courtney get the plum role on Ally, she managed to get the guy too! No wonder Ally has such mixed feelings for her.
Courtney was born on November 8, 1968 in San Francisco. During high school, the acting bug took a bite out of the California girl. She began working with The Ensemble Theater Company in Mill Valley during her senior year. Almost immediately after graduation in 1986, the 18 year-old actress was cast as Lindsey 'in a film entitled Welcome to 18. Courtney's deep blue eyes, dimpled smile and wholesome "girl-next-door" looks opened a few doors for the young actress. Also in 1986, Courtney was cast as the object of Corey Haim's desire in Lucas and took a role in Fast Times. In 1987, Courtney played Pam, the class-cutting surfer chick with eyes for Mark Harmon, in Summer School and Jenny, the honorary nerd.
Though she appeared in the movie Side Out and alongside Seinfeld's Julia Louise Dreyfuss in the TV show Day By Day, it wasn't until she appeared on Melrose Place in 1992 that Courtney truly made her mark television.
As Alison Parker, Courtney was reinvented as an-ever traumatized good girl, swimming in a sea of sharks at the side of beau Billy (Andrew Shue). Courtney spent five years on Melrose before her character won her battle with alcoholism and ran off with Grant.
The move to Ally afforded Courtney opportunities she never had in Melrose. For instance, Alison was never able to step into a ring and kickbox against her husband's ex-girlfriend! That blend of physical, off-beat comedy, as well as the tension of playing both friend and adversary to Ally, was a welcome breath of fresh air for Courtney. The unbelievable success of the series was just gravy.
As last season came to a close, Georgia announced that she was having a baby, but the jury is still out on whether it will be of the dancing variety.
Though she enjoyed her time on Melrose, Courtney said she just felt it was time to voluntarily move on to pursue other opportunities. She left Aaron Spelling on good terms despite turning down what her spokespeople called �a substantial offer for her to come back" and went to work for David Kelley as Georgia Thomas, wife of Ally's former lover. (What exactly is her attraction to guys named Billy, anyway?)
Courtney now lives in Los Angeles and, despite whatever feelings Ally may have for (or against) her, Georgia's not going away any time soon.
