American actress Kelly Rutherford was born on November 6, 1968 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She made her acting debut in 1987, when she starred in the television drama Loving. The following year, she made her film debut, in the police movie Shakedown. She, however, got her first taste of wide recognition when she starred in the daytime soap Generations. Despite being cancelled after only 22 months, the soap was considered groundbreaking because it revolved on an African-American family. Rutherford played the role of Samantha Whitmore, a college student known for her reputation as a troublemaker. The program earned a cult following, and Rutherford grew as one of the drama’s most beloved characters.
Rutherford’s next major television role was as Judy Owen in the television drama Homefront. She played the role of Judy Owen, a baseball-loving bartender, in the critically-acclaimed series. She also had a recurring role in shows such as The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., Courthouse and Kindred: The Embraced. She took on her next major role in 1996, when she played the role of gold-hearted prostitute Megan Lewis in Melrose Place. Her character was introduced during the fifth season and lasted until the show ended its run in 1999.
Rutherford then took on guest roles on television, and also appeared on films such as Scream 3, Angels Don’t Sleep Here and Upstream. After a recurring role on the police drama The District, she took on a regular role in the short-lived action drama Threat Matrix, where she played Homeland Security special agent Frankie Ellroy-Kilmer. She also had a regular role in the short-lived military drama E-Ring, as military staffer Samantha Liston. Her most current television role is on the CW teen drama Gossip Girl, where she plays the role of Lily van der Woodsen, the multiple-divorced ex-ballerine turned socialite mother of Serena (Blake Lively) and Eric (Connor Pablo).
-Was married to Carlos Tarajano from June 30, 2001, to January 11, 2002
-Rutherford married her second husband, German businessman Daniel Giersch, in August 2006
-She gave birth to her first son named Herm?s Gustaf Daniel Giersch on October 18, 2006