Cecily Adams dedicated her life to the stage and screen. Born in New York, she moved to Los Angeles to chase her dream. Her short but eventful life was filled with fame, applause, and respect from colleagues. Learn more about the star and her journey to success at queens-trend.
A Difficult Childhood
Cecily April Adams was born on February 6, 1958, in Jamaica, Queens. Just months before her birth, her parents divorced. Her father was a comedic actor, while her mother sang in nightclubs. Cecily grew up with her mother in poor conditions. Despite her father’s fame and success, she didn’t have an easy upbringing. Her mother often left her with distant relatives on a farm while she tried to make a living. At times, Cecily was sent to Costa Rica to stay with a family friend, and she even spent a year in Italy while her mother studied at a medical school there. As a child, Cecily later moved to Beverly Hills, California, where her father and stepmother lived.
In school, Adams took up acting and, after graduation, studied theater arts at the University of California, Irvine. After earning her degree, she worked as a waitress and professional clown while going to film and TV auditions.
Theater Career
In Los Angeles, Adams joined the ACME Comedy Theatre, where she not only performed but also taught acting. The sketch and improv theater, located near Hollywood, was founded in 1989 as a space for comedians to perform freely on any subject. Hundreds of comedy writers, directors, producers, and actors began their careers there.
Her aunt and uncle later encouraged her to join the prestigious Theatre West in Hollywood. Its mission is to nurture and develop theater artists by giving them opportunities to expand their skills through workshops and public performances. The troupe also serves the community with uplifting educational programs. Cecily Adams worked there as both an actress and director until the end of her life.
She was also part of the comedy troupe and improv school The Groundlings in Los Angeles, a launchpad for many well-known comedians, actors, writers, and directors. Adams earned a reputation as a gifted acting coach. She taught popular audition-prep classes and directed numerous productions.
Other Work
Beyond theater and teaching, Cecily Adams also worked in film and television. Even without her father’s influence—by then already a recognized actor—she landed small TV roles in the 1980s. She is best remembered for playing Ishka, the mother of Rom and Quark, in the series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” Interestingly, Adams was nine years younger than Armin Shimerman, who played Quark. Still, with heavy prosthetics and makeup, she convincingly portrayed his mother. She also made guest appearances in shows like “Models Inc.,” “Murphy Brown,” “Party of Five,” and “Check It Out!,” the last alongside her father, Don Adams. Cecily also wrote pop songs, commercial jingles, and TV music.
At one point, casting director Reuben Cannon offered her an internship. After gaining enough experience, the Queens native began working with Cannon and other casting professionals. Eventually, she went independent and built a strong reputation in casting. For example, she worked on casting for TV shows like “3rd Rock from the Sun” and “Eerie, Indiana,” as well as the films “American Heart” and “Home Room.” Until her death, Adams worked as casting director for “That ’70s Show,” the hit teen sitcom set in the late 1970s in the fictional town of Point Place.
Personal Life
In 1989, Cecily Adams married actor and writer Jim Beaver, best known for his role as Bobby Singer in the cult TV series “Supernatural,” which blended elements of mystery, drama, horror, and fantasy. The couple had a daughter together. Adams never smoked and lived a healthy lifestyle. Still, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. For her daughter’s sake, she tried various experimental and innovative—though often painful—treatments. Sadly, in 2004, at the age of 46, she passed away in her sleep, just four months after the diagnosis. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park near Beverly Hills, California. In his memoir, Life’s That Way, Jim Beaver wrote with deep sorrow about her relentless fight for life and their final months together.
