Sheila Wills (born August 11, 1947) is an American actress, also known as Sheila DeWindt. She is known for her regular role on the television series '' B.J. and the Bear'', and recurring roles on series including ''

Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. The soap, which aired on ...

'', '' Battlestar Galactica'', and '' Generations''.

Early life and education

Wills was born in Louisiana and raised in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

, California. She started working at a young age, stating in 1982, "I've had a job since I was 11 - it might have been waiting tables or cleaning houses... but it helped me attain a goal". Wills graduated from

Occidental College Occidental College (informally Oxy) is a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887 as a coeducational college by clergy and members of the Presbyterian Church, it became non-sectarian in 1910. It is one of the oldes ...

, where she later became an assistant dean of admissions. She had always wanted to be an actress, and quit her job in education shortly after attending an actor's workshop in Los Angeles in 1975.

Career

Before landing the role of Angie on ''B.J. and the Bear'', Wills made guest appearances on a number of television series, including '' Baretta'', ''

Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American Action film, action Crime film, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theodopolis "Theo" Kojak. Tak ...

'', '' Quincy'', and ''

The Six Million Dollar Man ''The Six Million Dollar Man'' is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors. After a NASA test flight accident, Austin is r ...

''. Later television appearances included '' McClain's Law'', ''

The Jeffersons ''The Jeffersons'' is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history, ...

'', and '' The A-Team''. Wills has also modeled and appeared in commercials and films, including '' Goldengirl'', ''

Youngblood Youngblood, Youngbloods or Young Blood may refer to: Film and television * ''Young Blood'' (1926 film), a German silent drama film * ''Young Blood'' (1932 film), an American western film * ''Young Blood'' (1943 film), a Swedish drama film * ...

'', and ''

Airport '79 ''The Concorde... Airport '79'' is a 1979 American air disaster film (in the UK, it was released a year later as ''Airport '80: The Concorde'') and the fourth and final installment of the ''Airport'' franchise. Although poorly reviewed by critic ...

''.

Personal life

The actor's workshop Wills attended in 1975 was run by producer/director/actor

Hal DeWindt Harold "Hal" DeWindt was an American producer, director, actor, and model. He worked to increase opportunities for African Americans in the arts. Early life DeWindt was born and raised in Harlem. His father Clifford acted with the original Lafa ...

. Wills and DeWindt married two years later. The couple divorced in 1981, and the actress returned to using the name Wills some years later. Following her divorce, Wills had a relationship with actor Philip Michael Thomas. Wills and Thomas had two children together, Melody and India.

Filmography (selected)

Film

Television

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wills, Sheila American television actresses African-American actresses People from Los Angeles Occidental College alumni 1947 births Living people Actresses from Los Angeles 21st-century African-American people 21st-century African-American women 20th-century African-American people 20th-century African-American women