Nancy Travis was born in the vibrant city of New York, where her mother Theresa, a dedicated social worker, and her father Gordon Travis, a successful sales executive, welcomed her into the world. As a young girl, she spent time in the charming cities of Baltimore and Boston before ultimately returning to her birthplace to pursue her passion for drama at the prestigious New York University.
Upon completing her studies, Travis landed her first job with the esteemed American Jewish Theater in New York, where she honed her craft and developed her skills. She then embarked on a nationwide tour, joining the national production of Neil Simon's acclaimed play "Brighton Beach Memoirs." Throughout her illustrious career, Travis has maintained a strong connection to the stage, frequently returning to her roots in the world of theater.
As a founding member of the New York-based off-Broadway theater company Naked Angels, Travis had the opportunity to showcase her talents in productions such as Frank Pugliese's "Aven-U Boys" and "King of Connecticut" alongside the talented Frances McDormand. She also appeared in the Broadway run of the award-winning play "I'm Not Rappaport" alongside Cleavon Little and Judd Hirsch.
In recent years, Travis has continued to impress audiences with her performances, including her role in Athol Fugard's powerful play "My Children, My Africa," which the author himself directed at the La Jolla Playhouse. In addition to her work on stage, Travis has also made a lasting impact on the small screen, starring alongside Peter Gallagher and Isabella Rossellini in the critically acclaimed Tom Cruise-directed segment of the Showtime anthology series "Fallen Angels" in 1993.