Roma Downey is an Irish actress and Emmy nominated producer from Northern Ireland. She played kind-hearted angel Monica on the American TV series Touched by an Angel, alongside Della Reese, who remained close friends, after the series. Downey received two Emmy and Golden Glo...
Actor, Television producer, Film Producer, Spokesperson, Singer
Education
Thornhill College, Brighton College, Drama Studio London
Nationality
United Kingdom
Spouse
Mark Burnett (m. 2007), David Anspaugh (m. 1995–1998), Leland Orser (m. 1987–1989)
Children
Reilly Marie Anspaugh
Parents
Paddy Downey, Maureen Downey
Siblings
John Downey, Lawrence Downey, Jacinta McLaughlin, Ann Flood
Nicknames
Roma Downey , Дауни, Рома
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama, Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Gemini Award ...
Movies
“Borrowed Hearts”, “A Woman Named Jackie” (1991), “Touched by an Angel” (1994-2003), “Son of God”, “Mary Did You Know” , “A.D”
TV Shows
“The Playboy of the Western World”, "The Circle", “Saturday Night Live”, “It’s a Miracle”, “A Picasso”, “Come Dance at My Wedding”, “Keeping up with the Randalls”, “The Bible”, “Little Boy”
[on Della Reese]: One of the most loving and remarkable gifts it gave to me is my relationship with Della Reese [Tess] which, even though we've been off the air for a few years, continues with great love and friendship. She's the mother I lost when I was 10 and I'm the daughter she lost while we were filming. We have adopted each other. She is just a remarkable woman and she brings so much joy not just my life but to the length of my entire family.
2
[When she wanted to know if Della Reese, who played Tess, would also be a surrogate mother to her on Touched by an Angel (1994), long before Della becomes a godmother to Reilly in real-life]: When we met, it was like Della had been given to me as a mother. What you see on the screen is echoed off the screen. It's a very loving relationship. It was instant. The moment we met there was something - a recognition of souls, like we had known each other. She has given me great counsel. There is no safer place in the world than in the arms of Della. Reilly adores her. Of course, she spoils her rotten. Last Christmas, she gave her a violin and lessons. I told you she spoils Reilly.
3
[on her on- and off-screen relationship with gospel singer, actress and evangelist Della Reese, who played Tess]: She has adopted me, and is my mother to this day. My mom died when I was a girl, and her daughter passed away toward the end of the run. She said she always knew God brought her into my life because I needed a mother. What she hadn't realized was that God brought me into her life because she was going to need a daughter. She asked me if I would be her daughter and I said I would, and she said, "Then I am your mother." I live here in Malibu and she's in Beverly Hills and we get together every few weeks. She comes to grandparents' days at the kids' school and it's a beautiful relationship, another legacy of love. I'm so grateful to the show for that. It gave me a beautiful mother in my life. My mom died when I was 10, and I was so impacted by that, as you can imagine. Often I would find myself in the company of older women fantasizing and longing, dreaming for that maternal nurturing. When Della and I met that first day on the set, it was like we'd known each other forever, yet we couldn't have been more different. I was raised a young white child in Northern Island, and here she was this sort of larger than life black woman from Detroit. Yet our souls connected and really, the joy we brought to each other has really been beautiful. When I see reruns of the series and that relationship, I realize there were many ingredients that were part of the show's success. And yet that relationship reflected on-screen what we felt off-screen, and was a great part of the chemistry.
4
[on the charitable organization that she participated - Operation Smile]: I've been on multiple international missions with them, and in fact Mark and I last spring took our three children to Jordan, and it was a fantastic experience for all of us. We went knowing we would help change the lives of children, but when we came home, really, it was our lives that had been changed!
5
I have the soul of a singer and do splendidly in the shower, but the world will never hear it. Basically, I'm the only Irish person who can't carry a tune.
6
[on starring in a TV movie with John Schneider]: I'm reunited with John Schneider - tall John! It was nice. It worked so out well. It was great to be back on set, although I think the second or third night, after crawling into bed from a very long day and a lot sitting around and waiting, I remember calling Mark very late at night and us laughing about it and going, 'Why did I want to do this again? Would you please remind me?
7
[When asked about how she felt about turning 40... She said]: For me, it's a milestone age. I'm at a great place in my life. I have exceeded my own expectations in terms of what I wanted to accomplish by this time - I am a mother, a successful working actress, a producer, and an author.
8
One of the reasons I haven't been going off on location is because I am the queen of the carpool!
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Fact
1
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6664 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 11, 2016.
2
Gave birth to her only child at age 36, a daughter Reilly Marie Downey Anspaugh on June 3, 1996. Child's father is David Anspaugh.
3
Della Reese is the godmother her daughter Reilly Marie.
Her acting mentor was Della Reese, whom she credits as her favorite acting mentor/best friend.
7
Best known by the public for her starring role as the kind angel Monica on Touched by an Angel (1994).
8
The Sunday Times List estimated her net worth with husband Mark Burnett at $385 million (2009).
9
Married Mark Burnett on April 28, 2007 at their home in Malibu. The ceremony was officiated by Della Reese.
10
Mark Burnett proposed to Roma during a trip to Mexico on December 2, 2006.
11
Attended and graduated from Drama Studios London, where she performed in plays by Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw and Anton Chekhov.
12
Her daughter, Reilly Marie, was an extra and also had several non-speaking roles on several later episodes of Touched by an Angel (1994) and in several of Roma's television movies.
Received her Master's degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica (2010).
15
Received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Brighton in Brighton, England.
16
Learned to play the piano as a child, but can no longer play. Also studied Irish dancing as a child.
17
Her favorite film is the romantic drama Brief Encounter (1945).
18
Cannot type and admits that she pecks at the keys when typing emails and using her computer.
19
Eloped and married her first husband, Leland Orser, in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Rome, Italy.
20
She was one of the two women originally considered for the role of Xena: Warrior Princess (1995), along with Vanessa Angel. She was offered the role that made Lucy Lawless famous but turned down as she was offered the role of Monica on Touched by an Angel (1994) at the same time.
21
The Irish lass was once turned down for a television commercial for Irish Spring Soap because she did not sound Irish enough.
22
Has two sisters, Jacinta McLaughlin and Ann Flood, and two older brothers, Lawrence Downey and John Downey.
23
Her mother, Maureen O'Reilly Downey, passed away from a heart attack at age 48 when Roma was 10.
24
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (1997).
25
Her name, Roma, originates from both her grandmother's names, Rose and Mary.
TV Mini-Series documentary executive producer - 10 episodes
Little Angels Vol. 1: ABC's
2012
Short producer
Little Angels Vol. 3: 123's
2012
Short producer
Funky Monkey
2004
executive producer
The Survivors Club
2004
TV Movie executive producer
The Sons of Mistletoe
2001
TV Movie executive producer
Second Honeymoon
2001
TV Movie executive producer
The Test of Love
1999
TV Movie executive producer
Monday After the Miracle
1998
TV Movie executive producer
Borrowed Hearts
1997
TV Movie executive producer
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Touched by an Angel
2002
TV Series story by - 1 episode
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Cure to War
2011
Documentary short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Insider
2016
TV Series
Herself
Fox and Friends
2013-2016
TV Series
Herself - Producer, Ben-Hur / Herself
Made in Hollywood
2013-2016
TV Series
Herself
Good Morning America
2013-2016
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Hannity
2014-2016
TV Series
Herself - Producer, Ben-Hur / Herself
Breaking Bread with Brooke Burke
2015
TV Series
Herself
Entertainment Tonight
2013-2015
TV Series
Herself
Answered Prayers
2015
TV Series
Herself - Hostess
Today
2014-2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest / Herself
Dateline NBC
2015
TV Series documentary
Herself
Steve Harvey
2014-2015
TV Series
Herself
Inside Edition
2013-2015
TV Series documentary
Herself
Rachael Ray
2012-2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2015
TV Series
Herself
CBS This Morning
2012-2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Women of the Bible
2014
TV Movie
Herself - Narrator
The 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards
2014
TV Special
Herself
The Hour of Power
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Arsenio Hall Show
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The 22nd Annual Movieguide Awards
2014
TV Special
Herself
The 700 Club
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson
2014
TV Series
Herself
Katie
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Live with Kelly and Michael
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Lou Dobbs Tonight
2014
TV Series
Herself
Un Reino Sin Fronteras
2014
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Praise the Lord
2014
TV Series
Herself
Faith Hollywood TV
2014
TV Series
Herself
GeekRockTV
2014
TV Series
Herself
The 40th Annual People's Choice Awards
2014
TV Special
Herself
2013 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
2013
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming / Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series / Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie / ...
Home & Family
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Oprah's Next Chapter
2013
TV Series
Herself
Good Day L.A.
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
CBS News Sunday Morning
2013
TV Series documentary
Herself - Guest
Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition
2013
TV Series
Herself
The Hour
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The O'Reilly Factor
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Sidewalks Entertainment
2012
TV Series
Herself - Guest
In the Cutz
2006
TV Series
Guest
Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde
2004
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
2001-2004
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Hollywood Squares
2003
TV Series
Herself
CBS Cares
2001-2002
TV Series
Herself
The 27th Annual People's Choice Awards
2001
TV Special
Herself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1997-2001
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1995-2000
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1997-1999
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Journey to a Hate Free Millennium
1999
Documentary
Narrator (voice)
Intimate Portrait
1999
TV Series documentary
Herself
The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1999
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series Drama
It's a Miracle
1998
TV Series documentary
Herself - Host (2003-2004)
The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1998
TV Special
Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Presenter: Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
The American Red Cross Celebrates Real-Life Miracles
1998
TV Movie
Herself - Host
The Daily Show
1998
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Late Show with David Letterman
1997-1998
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Guest
CBS: The First 50 Years
1998
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Saturday Night Live
1998
TV Series
Herself - Host
The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1998
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Drama Series
True Stories from Touched by an Angel
1998
TV Movie documentary
The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself - Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Presenter
The Most Fascinating Women of 1997
1997
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Life's Greatest Holiday Stories
1997
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The 23rd Annual People's Choice Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself - Co-Host and Presenter: Favorite Daytime Serial
Miracles and Visions: Fact or Fiction?
1996
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Host
The 22nd Annual People's Choice Awards
1996
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Favorite New Television Comedy Series
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Extra
2016
TV Series
Herself
The Insider
2016
TV Series
Herself
Inside Edition
2014-2016
TV Series documentary
Herself / Herself - The Bible
Entertainment Tonight
2015-2016
TV Series
Herself
The Bible
2013
TV Mini-Series documentary
Mother Mary
The O'Reilly Factor
2013
TV Series
Herself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Television
On August 11, 2016. At 6664 Hollywood Blvd.
1999
TV Guide Award
TV Guide Awards
Favorite Actress in a Drama
Touched by an Angel (1994)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2013
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Miniseries or Movie
The Bible (2013)
2000
TV Guide Award
TV Guide Awards
Favorite Actress in a Drama
Touched by an Angel (1994)
1999
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Touched by an Angel (1994)
1998
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Touched by an Angel (1994)
1998
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Touched by an Angel (1994)
1998
Gemini
Gemini Awards
Best TV Movie or Mini-Series
Borrowed Hearts (1997)
1997
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Touched by an Angel (1994)
Known for movies
Touched by an Angel (1994-2003) as Monica / Monique
$20 Million
