She was born in Ohio, and the family moved to California when she was 10. She recalled in 1994 that she didn't yet have a driver's license when she began trying out for film roles. She moved to Portland after her TV career and became involved in charity fund-raising.
On the side, she was a businesswoman, marketing clothing on the former Home Shopping Club. She said in a 1994 Associated Press interview that her "Lacy Afternoon" collection had sales topping $20 million that year alone.
Sang in a group called "Shell and the Crush" in the early 80s,
releasing a five-song E.P. which contained songs like "Popular Girl"
and "When You Look My Way".
Bettered three California state track records when her class was given
a physical fitness test in high school