Sharon Gless Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Between 2000 and 2005, Gless appeared as Hal Sparks's mother, Debbie Novotny, in her biggest and most critically acclaimed role since Cagney & Lacey in the acclaimed Showtime cable television series "Queer as Folk." In 2000, she was on an episode of "Touched by an Angel" entitled "The Perfect Game". On May 26, 2005, Gless was one of the mourners at Eddie Albert's funeral, along with ex-"Switch" co-stars Robert Wagner and Charlie Callas. In 2006, Gless starred in the BBC television series "The State Within". The following year she co-starred in the USA
Sharon Gless had a large clientele of major film studio executives and actors. Wanting to become an actress, she sought her grandfather's advice and he told her, "Stay out of it, it's a filthy business!" A few years later, though, when she spoke to him again about acting, he encouraged her, and gave her money for acting classes. She worked as a secretary for the advertising agencies Grey Advertising and Young & Rubicam, and then for the independent movie production companies Sassafras Films and General Film Corporation. While she worked as a production assistant, Gless studied drama with acting coach Estelle Harman,