Ally Sheedy

 Ally Sheedy was a New York City native born to Charlotte (Baum), an agent and writer, and John J. Sheedy, Jr., a senior advertising executive. She's from Russian Jewish (mother) and Irish and German (father) heritage. When she was at the New York's Bank Street School, twelve-year-old Ally Sheedy wrote about a legend of a meeting between Queen Elizabeth I and an inquisitive mouse. McGraw-Hill published the story, "She Was Nice To Mice", which became an instant bestseller. While it was a great springboard to an acting career, Sheedy's most vivid memories of her childhood remain those of "dancing and playing". She was a dancer from the age of six until fourteen in the American Ballet Theatre. During the summer months on Fire Island, she would "get lots of kids together and stage plays on the back of their porches or lawns". Then she realized that dancing was not an option, and she needed to stop eating. She decided to switch to acting. The book also brought her requests from several publications. The Village Voice wanted her to review films, while the New York Times wanted her review books for children. The task she was given came from Ms. Magazine, which requested an article about her mom and herself. It was the appearance on "The Mike Douglas Show (1961) to advertise her book, however it was her appearance on the show that earned Sheedy her first professional gig as a performer.