Tracy Nelson

Her on-screen career began in 1968 when she appeared as one of Henry Fonda's daughters in the movie Yours, Mine and Ours. That early credit set the stage for a long and varied career. In 1982, she became a familiar face to television audiences as the Valley Girl Jennifer DeNuccio on the cult series Square Pegs. The show ran from 1982 to 1983 and made her name well known in Hollywood. She continued to land roles, appearing in the series Glitter in 1984, and in 1986 she was in the film Down and Out in Beverly Hills alongside Nick Nolte and Bette Midler. A year later, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, just one month after marrying William R. Moses. She recovered and returned to television in 1989 as Sister Stephanie 'Steve' Oskowski in Father Dowling Mysteries. That role, which she played for several years, remains one of her most recognizable parts.

Over the years, Tracy has balanced television movies, series, and guest roles. She had a recurring role on Melrose Place in the 1990s, appeared in the series A League of Their Own, and shared the screen with her uncle Mark Harmon in an episode of St. Elsewhere. In addition to her acting, she has been open about her health struggles. She has survived three types of cancer: Hodgkin's lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer. She has been an advocate for cancer research and served as a spokesperson for the Lymphoma Research Foundation of America, receiving the Lifesaver Award from that group and the Jill Ireland Award from the Amie Karen Cancer Fund for Children. She is also a mother of two children: a daughter, Remington, and a son, Elijah.

Tracy's personal life has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. Her father died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985. Along with her brothers, she has maintained that the crash was due to a malfunctioning heater, not drug use. Her twin brothers, Matthew and Gunnar, are musicians in the band Nelson, and they even wrote a song about her called 'Tracy's Song' for their album After the Rain. Tracy has also credited the late Tom Bosley as a mentor and close friend. Today, she continues to be active in her advocacy work and remains a respected figure in Hollywood, known for playing emotionally complex characters.