Originally from Capreol, Ontario, she moved with her mother several times in childhood after her parents' divorce, finally spending her teen years in Barrie. Her first-ever acting audition was for a role in the Donald Sutherland film Threshold, which went to Mare Winningham. She had early guest roles in Canadian television, and appeared as Carol Burnett's daughter in the television film Between Friends, before moving to New York City in 1985. She had just $1.87 in her savings account the day she won her role in Another World. After that role ended, she continued to appear in guest roles before securing her starring role in the Canadian series Neon Rider, which lasted for four seasons.