Maitland Ward : biography
Maitland Ward (born Ashley Maitland Welkos on February 3, 1977 in Long Beach, California) is most commonly known as Rachel McGuire from the hit prime time series, Boy Meets World.
Career
She starred as Jessica Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, where she appeared from 1994 to 1996. She landed that role, which was only her second major audition, when she was 17 and still a junior in high school. Although acting has always been her lifelong passion, Maitland did not actually pursue a professional career until that time. In an interview with Olivia Wilder in August 2010, Ward expressed a desire to revisit the character of Jessica if asked to return.
After graduating from high school, Maitland attended Cal State University at Long Beach, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, and continued to focus on her acting. Maitland landed guest-starring roles on USA High and the final season of ABC’s Home Improvement; and co-starred with Jay Thomas and Mario Lopez in the dramatic movie, Killing Mr. Griffin.
Her character of Rachel McGuire was added to Boy Meets World in 1998, at the beginning of the sixth season, as a main cast member. This role lasted until the series ended in 2000.
After her stint on Boy Meets World, she appeared in the independent film, Dish Dogs, a romantic comedy in which she co-stars with Brian Dennehy, Matthew Lillard and Sean Astin. Later, Ward appeared in the 2004 comedy film White Chicks with Shawn and Marlon Wayans.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1994-1996 | The|Bold and the Beautiful}} | Jessica Forrester | Recurring role |
1997 | Killing Mr. Griffin | Candice Lee | TV film |
1998 | USA High | Tina | Episode: "Buddies" |
1998 | Home Improvement | Christy | Episode: "The Old College Try" |
1998-2000 | Boy Meets World | Rachel McGuire | Main role (45 episodes) |
1999 | A|Bold Affair|nolink=1}} | Eleanor | |
2000 | Dish Dogs | Molly | Video |
2002 | Boston Public | Rachel Newman | Episode: "Chapter 43" |
2004 | White Chicks | Brittany Wilson | |
2005 | Out of Practice | Staci | Episode: "Pilot" |
2007 | Rules of Engagement | Dani | Episode: "Young and the Restless" |
Awards and nominations
Soap Opera Digest Awards
- 1995: Nominated, "Outstanding Female Newcomer" – The Bold and the Beautiful
Young Artist Award
- 1995: Won, "Best Performance by a Youth Actress in a Daytime Series" – The Bold and the Beautiful
- 1996: Nominated, "Best Performance by a Youth Actress in a Daytime Series" – The Bold and the Beautiful
Personal life
The New York Times reported that she married real estate agent Terry Baxter on October 21, 2006.