"Dead, wrapped in plastic" is how Sheryl Lee entered onto the scene as Laura Palmer, the doomed homecoming queen on the cult TV series Twin Peaks.

Lee was born April 27, 1967 in Germany. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado, spending much of her youth studying dance before knee injuries ended her hope of becoming a dancer. She began acting in school plays, graduated from Fairview High School, and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California. Lee also spent time at the North Carolina School of Arts, the National Conservatory Theater in Denver, and Colorado University before pursuing stage work in Seattle, Washington.

Here Lee landed the role of Laura Palmer, and she later appeared on Twin Peaks as Laura's cousin Madeleine Ferguson. Madeleine was a brunette and wore glasses, but of course bore a striking resemblance to her late relative. Lee worked with Twin Peaks mastermind David Lynch again on the film David Lynch's Wild at Heart, and resurrected Laura Palmer one last time for Lynch's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.

Lee has gone on to have a long and adventurous career since then. Appearances have included the Stuart Sutcliffe biopic Backbeat, the John Carpenter film Vampire$, and the TV series L.A. Doctors.
Briefly dated David Duchovny. Grew up in Boulder, Colorado, USA. An avid member of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and has assertively campaigned against fur and mistreatment of animals. Hit cult status and will be forever known as the beautiful blonde corpse and resultant object of mystery in the series Twin Peaks. People were so fascinated with Sheryl and the Laura Palmer phenomenon, that they brought Sheryl back to life on the TV series in the form of another character, Madeleine Ferguson. Married to musician Jesse Diamond, son of singer Neil Diamond; they have a son named Elijah. Was performing on stage and living in Seattle when she met director David Lynch. Was originally cast as Mary Alice Young for the ABC series Desperate Housewives in its pilot episode, but was replaced by Brenda Strong. Is friends with Lenny von Dohlen who nicknamed her 'Angel Face'. Actor Lenny von Dohlen said on her performance in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me: "She was so brave. I don't know many actors who could do that." Director David Lynch was so impressed by Lee in Twin Peaks' pilot episode (especially the pick-nick scene where Laura dances and laughs with Donna) that he wrote the role of Maddy Ferguson for her, in order to bring her back in the series. Is friends with actor Christopher McDonald. Received the Spirit of Sundance Award for her body of work at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. Received the Women in Film's "Woman of the Year" Award. [1995]