A native of Orlando, Florida, Ms. Bearse was raised in Winter Park, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. Introduced to acting through school and community theater programs, she eventually moved to New York to pursue a professional acting career.

Ms. Bearse was known to millions of television viewers as Amanda Cousins from the daytime drama "All My Children." She has also appeared in the television film "First Affair" and the ABC series "Hotel."

Her feature film credits include "Protocol," with Goldie Hawn, and "Fright Night," with Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowall. She also appeared with Vanna White in the telefilm "Goddess of Love" for NBC.