Raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, actress Cynthia Stevenson had a rare gift for ditsy comedy. She decided to try her luck in Los Angeles following college studies. One of her earliest jobs in town was as a CBS page. In 1986 she received her big break as a regular on "Off the Wall" (1986), a short-lived syndicated satirical series. On stage she continued to stretch by studying and performing with the L.A. improv comedy troupe The Groundlings. She mustered up some notice with guest roles on "Cheers" and "Murphy Brown," which led to another unsuccessful series "My Talk Show" (1990), a syndicated spoof on the genre. Discouraged by her failure to connect in a series, she was hopeful once more when a prime support role came her way via Robert Altman's film The Player (1992). Her ecstatic reviews were a significant morale booster and she continued to persevere. This time Cynthia found the right vehicle for her talents in the female buddy sitcom "Hope & Gloria" (1995), which made excellent use of her natural quirkiness. Movies, however, have yet to test her. Such escapist fare as Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998) and Agent Cody Banks (2003) and their sequels are prime examples of the mediocre offers she has received. More recently Cynthia played a no-nonsense mom in the sitcom "Dead Like Me" (2003).