Background
Flannery was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and attended school in Manhattan.
Flannery was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and attended school in Manhattan.
She is known for her role as Stephanie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful (1987–2012) and for her role as Doctor Laura Spencer Horton on Days of Our Lives (1966–1975). Flannery is known for playing Doctor Laura Spencer Horton on Days of Our Lives from 1966 until 1975 where she met writer and daytime legend William J. Bell (who would later cast her in the daytime soap he would create called The Bold and the Beautiful in 1987). She acted in feature films including The Towering Inferno (1974) and The Gumball Rally (1976).
She also acted in the primetime television series Dallas, playing Leslie Stewart during season four (1980–1981), and appeared opposite Kirk Douglas in The Moneychangers.
Flannery since became best known worldwide for portraying Stephanie Douglas Forrester on the American soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (1987-2012). She was one of four original cast members, two of whom still appear on the series, along with Katherine Kelly Language, Ronn Moss, and John McCook.
After 25 years, she decided to leave the show in 2012. In her final storyline, Stephanie Forrester lost her battle with lung cancer, and died.
Flannery appeared in two episodes of American Broadcasting Company"s situation comedy Hope & Faith in 2004, with other well-known actors from rival soaps.
Flannery also appeared as a special guest on Good News Week. She appeared in a special episode of Wheel of Fortune with Deidre Hall (Marlena, Days of Our Lives) and Peter Bergman (Jack, The Young and the Restless) in 2006. Flannery also directed the October 13, 2008, episode of Guiding Light.
Flannery came in at #1 in the Top 50 Soap Actresses of All Time poll on the internet blog We Love Soaps in 2010.
She has taken an active role in the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (American Federation TV and Radio Artists) in securing cable rights and foreign residuals for actors when their work appears in other mediums. Her efforts have had a positive impact on how The Bold and the Beautiful actors are paid when the show is televised in countries outside the United States.
Daytime Emmy Golden Globe.