Actress Sarah Jessica Parker (born 1965) was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, a coal-mining town where life was often modest and uncertain. One of eight siblings, she learned early that discipline carries a person beyond circumstance.

“I remember my childhood as Dickensian,” she recalled. “I remember being poor. There was no great way to hide it. We didn’t always have electricity.”

Looking back years later, Parker said she remains grateful for that experience. Hardship gave her a strong work ethic and sympathy for those whose lives are far removed from wealth and glamour.

Trained in ballet and singing, she began acting professionally at a young age and starred in Broadway’s Annie while still a girl. In 1982 she was cast as “Beanpole” in the television sitcom Square Pegs.

Parker credited Steve Martin for her big break in the film L.A. Story (1991). “Everything that has happened to me is because of Steve,” she said. “He just stood there and let me be extremely large in that movie.”

As the award-winning star of HBO’s Sex and the City, Parker helped explore what she called the age of un-innocence through the character of Carrie Bradshaw, bringing vulnerability and style to one of television’s most memorable roles.

Known for her humility, Parker once chose the word “grace” as a screen saver on her phone to remind herself to be good to people. Married in 1997 to actor Matthew Broderick, she also serves causes larger than fame through civic and humanitarian work.

Parker said, “Your childhood doesn’t have to dictate the rest of your life if you’re given skills, opportunity, and self-reliance.” And a big heart.