Sharon Case Bio
Sharon Case (born February 9, 1971) is an American actress and former model best known for her long-running role as Sharon Newman on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless since 1994. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Case began her career as a model at age 17, briefly relocating to Japan before transitioning to acting. Over the years she has appeared in General Hospital and As the World Turns, and has built a reputation as a leading daytime performer. She won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1999 for her work on The Young and the Restless. Case has also pursued jewelry design with a signature line, blending fashion with acting.
Early Life and Background
Sharon Case was born on February 9, 1971, in Detroit, Michigan. When she was three years old, her family relocated to Chatsworth, California. During her childhood, Case devoted herself heavily to dancing, with training in both ballet and jazz. Her passion for performance developed at a young age through these dance disciplines.
At age 17, Case attended a modeling event where a scout noticed her. She was offered a modeling job in Japan and traveled there for five months before returning to Los Angeles. While modeling, she began to consider it as a pathway into the entertainment industry, though her primary goal remained acting. She later pursued theater training and earned lead roles in productions including Grease, The Wizard, and The Nutcracker.
Path to Acting
After returning from Japan, Case focused on transitioning from modeling to acting. She took part in theater work, which provided her with foundational performance experience. Her theater training helped her develop skills that would prove valuable for her eventual move into television acting.
Her dedication to perfecting her craft was evident during her audition for General Hospital. She practiced extensively before screen testing for the role of Dawn Winthrop, a character described as the long-lost daughter of Monica Quartermaine. Case recalled the intense preparation required for the emotional scene in which Dawn learned about her boyfriend’s past relationship with her mother.
Sharon Case Career
Early Career (1989–1993)
In November 1989, Case landed her first television role playing Dawn Winthrop on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. She departed the show the following year after making a guest appearance on the comedy drama Doogie Howser, M.D. From 1991 to 1992, she appeared in various television series including Diplomatic Immunity, Beverly Hills, 90210, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, and Cheers.
From November 1992 to 1993, Case took on her second soap opera role as Debbie Simon on the CBS drama As the World Turns. She has stated that she loved the role and wanted to explore the character’s storyline about mental health, which was rarely covered on daytime television at the time. During this period, she also appeared on the CBS crime drama Silk Stalkings as Bonnie Abagail.
Breakthrough (1994–present)
In August 1994, Case was cast in the role of Sharon Newman on The Young and the Restless. The character had been introduced earlier that year by the show’s creator William J. Bell. Case became the third actress to play the role, following Monica Potter and Heidi Mark. She was upgraded from recurring status to a contract player in early 1995. She temporarily left the show in February 2003 due to contract negotiations but returned the following April.
Her performance as Sharon Newman earned her the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1999. The character developed from a young woman from humble beginnings into a mother and businesswoman. She became known for her prominent romantic pairing with Nicholas Newman and later a more controversial relationship with Adam Newman.
In 1997, Case appeared in the HBO film Breast Men. She had previously turned down a larger role in the film due to discomfort with on-screen nudity, instead accepting a smaller role. In 2005, she appeared in the independent film Carpool Guy alongside her Young and the Restless co-star Lauralee Bell. That same year, she starred in the short film Wentworth, playing dual roles as Emily and Dream Emily. The film was directed by Steve Suettinger and produced by students at the University of Southern California.
Notable Works and Milestones
The Young and the Restless has been Case’s most significant and enduring work. Her portrayal of Sharon Newman has spanned more than three decades, making her one of the longest-serving cast members. The character’s storylines have tackled various issues including infidelity, rape, kleptomania, and bipolar disorder. In 2010, Case starred opposite David James Elliott in the romantic comedy Dad’s Home for the Hallmark Channel. Critics have described her performance as mesmerizing and stunning, with Oscar Award nominee Jesse Friedman praising her work in the film Repressions.
Sharon Case Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Sharon Case has received recognition for her work in daytime television. Her nomination history reflects her standing as a respected performer in the soap opera genre.
Sharon Case Awards Won
Sharon Case has achieved significant recognition in her career, winning major awards for her performances in daytime television.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime Emmy Awards – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | 1 | 1999 |
Sharon Case Family
Details about Sharon Case’s family background remain private. Information regarding her parents has not been publicly disclosed.
Personal Life
Sharon Case was married to businessman Sandy Corzine from April 2007 to November 2009, with the marriage ending in divorce. In December 2001, she became the first soap opera actress to be featured on the cover of FHM magazine, a men’s lifestyle publication that also featured other daytime television actresses. As of May 2019, Case has been in a relationship with her Young and the Restless co-star Mark Grossman, who plays Adam Newman. The characters Sharon and Adam have been paired together on the soap opera.
