She gained recognition for her Oscar-nominated role as Emilia Rodgers in the 1977 film The Turning Point.
She began training as a ballerina at age seven and received a scholarship to study at the School of American Ballet.
She became a renowned dancer and received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the New York City Dance Alliance in 1997.
Her brother Kevin worked as a film producer.
She received heavy praise for her work in The Turning Point opposite Shirley MacLaine.