Sharon Lawrence, the actress best known for her long-running role as Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Costas on the acclaimed police drama NYPD Blue, made a rare public appearance at the Gracie Awards in Beverly Hills this week. The 64-year-old star stunned onlookers with her remarkably youthful appearance, dressed in a sophisticated black gown that highlighted her timeless elegance.
A Career Spanning Decades
Lawrence's acting career began in the early 1990s, but her big break came in 1993 when she was cast as the brilliant and determined Sylvia Costas on NYPD Blue. She starred alongside Dennis Franz, who played her on-screen boyfriend, Detective Andy Sipowicz. The role earned her widespread recognition and a loyal fan base. In one of the show's most shocking moments, her character was fatally shot in a courthouse, leaving Sipowicz to raise their child alone. Lawrence remained on the series for six seasons until 1999, and the show concluded in 2005.
Before her television success, Lawrence earned a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then moved to New York City to pursue acting on Broadway, appearing in the 1987 revival of Cabaret and later in the classic Fiddler on the Roof. After her Broadway stint, she headed to Hollywood, where she landed guest roles on popular shows such as Cheers, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Star Trek: Voyager.
Notable Roles After NYPD Blue
Following her departure from NYPD Blue, Lawrence continued to build an impressive resume. She starred alongside Betty White and Alfred Molina on the sitcom Ladies Man from 1999 to 2001 and later appeared on the supernatural drama Wolf Lake. She played the promiscuous Maisy Gibbons during the first season of Desperate Housewives, a role that brought her further acclaim. Lawrence also made memorable appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Boston Legal, Monk, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Mentalist, and Body of Proof.
In 2009, she guest-starred as Izzie Stevens' mother on Grey's Anatomy, and the following year she played Sylvia Baker on One Tree Hill. She also had a recurring role on Drop Dead Diva from 2009 to 2013 and later appeared on Rizzoli & Isles with Angie Harmon. In 2017, Lawrence starred in the short-lived comedy series Me, Myself and I and had a recurring role on the Oprah Winfrey Network drama Queen Sugar. She also appeared on The Ranch alongside Ashton Kutcher.
From 2016 to 2019, Lawrence played real estate mogul Margo Mierzejewski on the hit series Shameless with Emmy Rossum and William H. Macy. She later appeared on the Dynasty reboot and played Louise Garbeau in On Becoming a God in Central Florida in 2019. More recently, she appeared on Punky Brewster and Rebel in 2021, as well as the series Joe Pickett.
Personal Life
In her personal life, Lawrence married Tom Apostle in Los Angeles in 2002. The couple has maintained a relatively private life, with Lawrence rarely making public appearances. Her recent appearance at the Gracie Awards was a treat for fans who remember her iconic television roles.
