Sarah Chalke

Sarah Chalke

Active - 1992 - 2020  |   Born - Aug 27, 1976 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada  |   Genres - Comedy, Drama, Action

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Biography by AllMovie

Ottawa-born Sarah Chalke first gained notoriety in 1993 when, at the beginning of the show's sixth season, she was cast on ABC's hit sitcom Roseanne as oldest daughter Becky, a role that had previously been filled by Alicia Goranson, who exited the show for college. Chalke continued to play Becky for two seasons until Goranson returned, but the two actresses took turns playing the character throughout the season. Goranson left again before the show's ninth and final season, and Chalke resumed the role full-time.

Following the end of Roseanne, Chalke took on a role in the Canadian series Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy. While that show only lasted nine episodes, it would only be a couple more years before the actress found herself on another hit series. In 2001, she was cast as Elliot Reid, the female lead opposite Zach Braff on the cult hit NBC medical comedy Scrubs. The massively successful show would run until 2010, earning Chalke legions of fans.

In addition to her series television work, Chalke has acted in a number of made-for-TV movies and small independent films over the years. In 2007 she had her first role in a high-profile Hollywood movie with a supporting turn alongside Jon Heder and Diane Keaton in the comedy Mama's Boy. She would also find continued success on the small screen, with starring roles on shows like Mad Love, a recurring gig on Cougar Town and guest spots on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Angie Tribeca.

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Factsheet

  • At 8, started appearing in local Vancouver musical theater productions.
  • Began her TV career as an environmental reporter on the Canadian children's series KidZone.
  • Got her big break in the U.S. in 1993 when she replaced Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner on Roseanne. Her first episode had the Conner family watching a Bewitched rerun, during which Chalke's Becky No. 2 smartly proclaims, "Well, I like the second Darrin much better."
  • Scrubs creator and executive producer Bill Lawrence paid her $500 when she won a dare to go to Starbucks in fishnets, heels and feather fans.
  • Had a recurring role on How I Met Your Mother as Stella, a girl who left Ted at the altar.
  • Guest-starred on an episode of Grey's Anatomy that was based on her son's health struggles.
  • Member of the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund advisory board.