Lynn Herring's Biography
Taken from ABC's Offical Port Charles Site


Since she first joined "General Hospital" in March of 1986 -- originally for a stint that would last only as long as the prevailing storyline -- Lynn Herring has made the character of Lucy Coe so distinctively her own that it's no wonder she has remained on board as a key element in the show's success. Lucy is alluring, endearing, unpredictable and devious -- a combination that's hard for soap opera fans to resist.

Lynn was an Air Force child, born in Enid, Oklahoma. But she calls Jennings, Louisiana, her home because all of her close relatives live there now. She attended 15 different schools -- including four high schools -- in ten states and Puerto Rico. That was the result of her father's numerous transfers in the service.

Ms. Herring graduated from Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia, and from Louisiana State University with a degree in psychology. She took an acting class during her senior year in college, but with no occupational intent. In her sophomore year, Lynn won the 1977 Miss Virginia beauty contest, and in 1978 was runner-up in the Miss USA Pageant.

After college graduation, Lynn moved to New York City and worked as a model, even though she had been accepted by the graduate schools of three Los Angeles universities: USC, UCLA and Loyola-Marymount. Before leaving New York, she appeared in several off-Broadway productions and studied at the Actors Company.

In 1980, Ms. Herring went to Los Angeles with divided ambitions. She pursued her acting career, but studied for a time at Loyola-Marymount, getting what she calls "half a Master's." Acting had a stronger attraction, and Lynn made her dramatic debut in the theatrical film, "Roller Boogie." Lynn's television credits include "Riptide," Arthur Hailey's "Hotel," "The Colbys" (appearing twice as Ricardo Montalban's secretary, Lena), "T.J. Hooker" and "L.A. Law." She has also appeared in a number of national commercials.

In 1992, Lynn switched soaps and joined the cast of "Days of Our Lives" as villainess Lisanne Gardner, but she rejoined her "General Hospital" family six months later.

Ms. Herring has been nominated twice for a Daytime Emmy Award (1989-90 and 1991-92 seasons) as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Lynn has won three Soap Opera Awards as Best Villainess in daytime television and this year received another one as Hottest Female Performer.

A natural and avid athlete, Lynn is a frequent participant in charity tennis and skiing events. She also enjoys daily workouts, horseback riding, hiking and racquetball. Ms. Herring put her skills to the test when she trained and performed a high wire act for a recent "Circus of the Stars."

On May 9, 1981, Lynn married actor Wayne Northrop, whom she had met a year earlier in acting class. They live in the secluded Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles with their young sons, Hank and Grady. The family shares their home with a virtual zoo that includes horses, two Labradors, Angus the cow dog, three cats and the "Cluck Family," a collection of chickens. They also have a working cattle ranch in Northern California, which Lynn and Wayne run in accordance with their environmental beliefs.

Both actors are firmly committed to several environmental and wildlife causes. Since 1980, Lynn has been involved with the Defenders of Wildlife organization. She has also devoted her energies to the preservation of wolves, bears and exotic birds. In her own words, Ms. Herring elaborates her enthusiasm for these causes, "I truly believe that if I wasn't in the acting profession, I'd most likely be working to protect our wildlife and their habitats, perhaps as a lobbyist in Sacramento or Washington, D.C."

VITAL STATISTICS
BIRTHPLACE: Enid, OK
BIRTHDATE: Sept. 22
HEIGHT: 5'7"
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Hazel


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