Barbara A Turner

Janine Turner, born Janine Loraine Gauntt in 1962, is an American actress, author, and public speaker. She gained prominence for her role as Maggie O'Connell in the television series Northern Exposure, which earned her an Emmy nomination and multiple Golden Globe nominations. Other notable acting credits include the film Cliffhanger and the series Friday Night Lights.

Beyond her acting career, Turner is an author of several books, including "Holding Her Head High: Inspiration from 12 Single Mothers Who Championed Their Children and Changed History" and "A Little Bit Vulnerable: On Hollywood, God, Sobriety, & Politics." She also founded Constituting America in 2010, an organization dedicated to educating people about the U.S. Constitution. Turner has also hosted a radio talk show and has been recognized for her public speaking engagements on various topics.

Janine Turner began her professional life at 16, pursuing a modeling career in New York City. She transitioned to acting in 1980, appearing in early roles on shows like "Dallas." Initially, Turner found herself frustrated with the limited and often negative portrayals of women in the roles she was offered. Seeking more substantial work and a deeper artistic development, she moved to New York, disregarding her agent's advice. There, she studied with Marcia Haufrecht of the Actors Studio, a period she described as gaining a new respect for acting and deciding not to accept roles that depicted women negatively. This commitment led her to turn down numerous opportunities, a decision she felt was risky but necessary for her artistic integrity.

Turner's career significantly advanced when she was cast as Maggie O'Connell in the television series "Northern Exposure" in 1990. This role, which she felt was her ideal character, earned her an Emmy nomination and three consecutive Golden Globe nominations. The character of Maggie, who moved from an affluent background to a remote Alaskan setting, resonated with Turner's own move from Hollywood to New York, symbolizing a challenge against convention. Following her success on "Northern Exposure," Turner appeared in the action film "Cliffhanger" alongside Sylvester Stallone. Her filmography also includes "Dr. T & the Women," and she later took on the role of Katie McCoy in the NBC series "Friday Night Lights."

In addition to her acting career, Janine Turner is a published author. Her books include "Holding Her Head High," which explores the stories of single mothers who significantly impacted history, and "A Little Bit Vulnerable," a memoir touching on her experiences in Hollywood, faith, and politics. She also co-wrote and produced "Christoga," a Christian Yoga DVD, and an album titled "Mockingbird Hill." In 2010, she co-founded Constituting America, an organization focused on educating the public about the U.S. Constitution. Turner also hosted a talk radio show and has become a national public speaker addressing topics such as heart health, sobriety, faith, and the Constitution.

“I was always working, but I wanted to do more serious roles and knew that I had the talent. I had to get away from Hollywood.”

“I gained a new respect and appreciation for acting in New York. And I decided that I didn't want to lock myself into roles that portrayed women negatively. I turned a lot of (TV and film) opportunities down because of that. Everyone thought I was crazy. I was really going for broke. I only had eight dollars left and had become very depressed right before I got the part in Northern Exposure.”

“I've found my ideal character in Maggie. She's smarter and stronger than all the men she meets.”

“She went against the grain and challenged herself by moving to Alaska.”