Shelley Long

When Shelley Long entered Northwestern University, she planned on obtaining a degree as a drama major. However, she decided to turn back from her studies to seek out a career as a model and actress. True enough, she joined a comedy troupe to develop her talent and by 1975, she was already producing, writing, and co-hosting a TV program. Since then, she was given commercials and guest appearances in other shows, but she got her big break when she was cast as Diane Chambers in Cheers.

At the height of her fame, Long did the unthinkable: she quit the show. She also appeared in films like Dr. T and the Women, Troop Beverly Hills, The Money Pit, Outrageous Fortune, Hello Again, Night Shift, and many more.She played DeDe Pritchett, the ex-wife of Jay Pritchett on the hit sitcom “Modern Family,” appearing in only a few episodes. Since her stint on “Modern Family” ended, Lang has kept an unusually low profile.