Sheila Kelley (1964)

 early life

Kelley was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, to Catherine Holway Thom Kelley, a registered nurse and Dr. Jay Hilary Kelley, professor emeritus, School of Mineral and Energy Resources, West Virginia University. Kelley studied ballet at a young age and matriculated into New York University's Tisch School of Arts for further study. After the advice of doctors who were worried about the consequences of the rigorous dance training on her hips, she redirected her studies to film directing and acting. She also studied with Michael Howard. She was encouraged to pursue her passion for acting by her high school principal, Dr. George Vollrath, and ultimately moved to California in order to advance her career.

 career

Kelley began her acting career in the 1980s in television, with her first credited TV role in 1987. She played the character Gwen Taylor in the legal drama L.A. Law from 1990-1993. Most of her work has been in guest roles on American TV series, although she notably played a stripper and performed a seductive dance routine onscreen in the 2000 feature film Dancing at the Blue Iguana.

After her role in this movie she went on to create a new feminine movement called S Factor. She is considered one of the very first pioneers of the Pole Dancing Workout. Since its inception over a decade ago, 7 studios have been opened in the United States. It is one of the most well known and successful studios of its kind. However it is unique in that it features an ever evolving curriculum that is often imitated. She fuses pilates, yoga, and her knowledge of classical ballet into a workout that eventually involves the use of the pole. The movement, as she calls it, is growing. There are studios in the major cities, LA, NYC, and Chicago. In addition, there are a few scattered in California and one studio in Houston.

Kelley was cast in a recurring role on season six of Lost, playing a character named Zoe.

 personal life

Kelley is married to actor Richard Schiff.

Following her role as a stripper in the film "Dancing at the Blue Iguana," in which she performed a seductive strip routine, she became a fan of pole dancing. Kelley has since become noted for her "S Factor" national exercise studios:(LA , San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Houston) and her book, "S Factor: Strip Workouts for Every Woman," and DVDs,. Sheila's copyrighted feminine fitness program incorporates Pilates, yoga, stretching and uniquely designed pole dance routines which develop tone, muscle, fluidity of movement and confidence. She also publishes a monthly editorial which addresses women's issues available at www.sfactor.com.

Kelley formed The Elephant Company, a theatre group, in the 1980s.