Biography for
Roma Downey More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

6 May 1960, Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK

Height

5' 4" (1.63 m)

Mini Biography

Before starring as Monica in "Touched by an Angel" (1994), Roma Downey was best known to television audiences for her portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy in the mini-series "A Woman Named Jackie" (1991). She was born and raised in Derry City, Northern Ireland, and earned a bachelor's degree at Brighton Art College in England, UK. She then attended the London Drama Studio, where she starred in productions of many classics, including the plays of Shakespeare, Shaw, and Chekhov. Downey toured the United States with Dublin's famous Abbey Players in a production of The Playboy of the Western World and was nominated for the Helen Hayes Best Actress Award in 1991. Her additional stage credits include the Broadway production of The Circle opposite Rex Harrison, and Off Broadway productions of Love's Labour's Lost, Tamara, and Arms and the Man. Downey's additional television credits include starring roles in the films A Child Is Missing (1995) (TV) and Borrowed Hearts (1997) (TV), both on CBS, and Getting Up and Going Home (1992) (TV). Among her feature film credits are The Last Word (1995) and Devlin (1992) (TV). Downey has a daughter. Her birthday is May 6.

IMDb Mini Biography By: DANIEL

Mini Biography

Roma was raised in Derry, then went to the Brighton Art College in England where she received her bachelor's. After that, she attended the London Drama Studio, where she was awarded Most Promising Student of the Year when she graduated. Roma was nominated for the Helen Hayes Best Actress Award in 1991 while touring the US with Abbey Theatre's production of "The Playboy of the Western World". Her stage credits include the Broadway production of "The Circle", opposite Rex Harrison, and some Off-Broadway Productions, including "Love's Labour's Lost", "Tamara" and "Arms and the Man".

IMDb Mini Biography By: <jarrell@vt.edu>

Spouse

Mark Burnett	(28 April 2007 - present)
David Anspaugh	(24 November 1995 - 15 March 1998) (divorced) 1 child
Leland Orser	(1987 - 1989) (divorced)

Trivia

Her name, Roma originates from both her grandmother's names, Rose and Mary.

One child; a daughter, Reilly Marie (b.1996)

Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1997]

Mother, Maureen, died when Roma was 10.

Has two sisters, Jacinta McLaughlin and Ann Flood.

The Irish lass was once turned down for a TV commercial for Irish Spring Soap because she didn't sound Irish enough.

When she married director David Anspaugh in 1996, her "Touched by an Angel" (1994) co-star Della Reese performed the Utah wedding ceremony.

She was one of the two women originally considered for the role of "Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995), along with Vanessa Angel. She was offered the role that made Lucy Lawless famous but turned it down as she was offered the role of Monica on "Touched by an Angel" (1994) at the same time. She chose an Angel over a warrior.

Eloped and married her first husband, Leland Orser, in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Rome, Italy.

Cannot type and admits that she pecks at the keys when typing emails and using her computer.

Favorite film: Brief Encounter (1945).

Learned to play the piano as a child, but can no longer play.

Studied Irish dancing as a child.

Has two brothers, Lawrence who is two years older than her and a much older brother John, who is a Roman Catholic priest.

Living with "Survivor" (2000) creator, Mark Burnett (2004).

Her daughter, Reilly Anspaugh, was an extra and also had a few non-speaking roles on several later episodes of "Touched by an Angel" (1994) and in a few of Roma's television movies.

Della Reese is the godmother of her daughter Reilly.

Della Reese, who is an ordained minister, was the minister at Roma's wedding to David Anspaugh.

Mark Burnett proposed to Roma during a trip to Mexico [December 2, 2006].

Married Mark Burnett on April 28, 2007 at their home in Malibu. The ceremony was officiated by Della Reese.

The Sunday Times List estimated her net worth with husband Mark Burnett at $385 million. [2009]

Best known by the public for her starring role as Monica on "Touched by an Angel" (1994).

Personal Quotes

One of the reasons I haven't been going off on location is because I am the queen of the carpool!

[When asked about how she felt about turning 40.. She said]: "For me, it's a milestone age. I'm at a great place in my life. I have exceeded my own expectations in terms of what I wanted to accomplish by this time---I am a mother, a successful working actress, a producer, and an author."

[on starring in a TV movie with John Schneider]: I'm reunited with John Schneider - tall John! It was nice. It worked so out well. It was great to be back on set, although I think the second or third night, after crawling into bed from a very long day and a lot sitting around and waiting, I remember calling Mark very late at night and us laughing about it and going, 'Why did I want to do this again? Would you please remind me?

I have the soul of a singer and do splendidly in the shower, but the world will never hear it. Basically, I'm the only Irish person who can't carry a tune.

[on the charitable organization that she participated --- Operation Smile]: I've been on multiple international missions with them, and in fact Mark and I last spring took our three children to Jordan, and it was a fantastic experience for all of us. We went knowing we would help change the lives of children, but when we came home, really, it was our lives that had been changed!

[on her on- and off-screen relationship with gospel singer, actress and evangelist Della Reese, who played Tess]: She has adopted me, and is my mother to this day. My mom died when I was a girl, and her daughter passed away toward the end of the run. She said she always knew God brought her into my life because I needed a mother. What she hadn't realized was that God brought me into her life because she was going to need a daughter. She asked me if I would be her daughter and I said I would, and she said, 'Then I am your mother.' I live here in Malibu and she's in Beverly Hills and we get together every few weeks. She comes to grandparents' days at the kids' school and it's a beautiful relationship, another legacy of love. I'm so grateful to the show for that. It gave me a beautiful mother in my life. My mom died when I was 10, and I was so impacted by that, as you can imagine. Often I would find myself in the company of older women fantasizing and longing, dreaming for that maternal nurturing. When Della and I met that first day on the set, it was like we'd known each other forever, yet we couldn't have been more different. I was raised a young white child in Northern Island, and here she was this sort of larger than life black woman from Detroit. Yet our souls connected and really, the joy we brought to each other has really been beautiful. When I see reruns of the series and that relationship, I realize there were many ingredients that were part of the show's success. And yet that relationship reflected on-screen what we felt off-screen, and was a great part of the chemistry.

[When she wanted to know if Della Reese, who played Tess, would also be a surrogate mother to her on "Touched by an Angel" (1994), long before Della becomes a godmother to Reilly in real-life]: When we met, it was like Della had been given to me as a mother. What you see on the screen is echoed off the screen. It's a very loving relationship. It was instant. The moment we met there was something - a recognition of souls, like we had known each other. She has given me great counsel. There is no safer place in the world than in the arms of Della. Reilly adores her. Of course she spoils her rotten. Last Christmas she gave her a violin and lessons. I told you she spoils Reilly.

[Of Della Reese]: One of the most loving and remarkable gifts it gave to me is my relationship with Della Reese [Tess] which, even though we've been off the air for a few years, continues with great love and friendship. She's the mother I lost when I was 10 and I'm the daughter she lost while we were filming. We have adopted each other. She is just a remarkable woman and she brings so much joy not just my life but to the length of my entire family.