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PROFILE

Vanessa Ray

ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE

SOAP STAR STATS

Vanessa Ray (Teri, ATWT)

— Steven Bergman

Vital Statistics

Birthdate:: June 24
Years on Show:: June 2009-present
Marital Status:: Single, but dating
Siblings:: One brother, Peter

The 411

Though she's originally from Livermore, CA (a small town outside of San Francisco), Vanessa Ray literally grew up on the road, traveling around the country with her family and pastor/professional musician father, who was frequently on tour. Ray, an accomplished cellist, was mostly home schooled but briefly attended high school in Spokane, WA, where she first got hooked on opera and theater.

After relocating to Nashville and then Las Vegas, where she attended a performing arts school, Ray packed her bags for Los Angeles and made her start as a songwriter and struggling actress. She later played Nemo in Disney's Finding Nemo: The Musical in Orlando, FL.

By 2007, Ray was living in Toronto and performing in the first national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in the role of Olive Ostrovsky when she set her sights on the East Coast and signed with an agent. In June 2009, a little less than a year after moving to New York City, Ray scored the recurring role of Teri Ciccone, Janet's sister, on AS THE WORLD TURNS. The actress is currently pulling double-duty; she made her Broadway debut as Crissy in the revival of Hair in October.

Et Cetera

Five Random Facts
— Ray is a longtime GENERAL HOSPITAL fan.
— She played softball growing up.
— In addition to the cello, she plays piano and guitar.
— Her favorite ice cream is peppermint bark.
— She is currently dating Landon Beard of Altar Boyz fame.

Career Highlights

TV Roles
BORED TO DEATH (2009)
MARRIAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION (Herself, 2003)
THE SPARKY CHRONICLES (Chris, 2003)

Theater Roles
Hair (Crissy)
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olivia)
Finding Nemo: The Musical (Nemo)