Person of the Week: Victoria Rowell

Victoria Rowell

Actor, author and humanitarian Victoria Rowell, must have exceptionally good time management skills in order to accomplish everything that she does in a day. Her enviable work ethic is well-known to her many fans who recall her days of working on both a hit daytime drama, The Young and the Restless, while also filming for her Primetime show, Diagnosis Murder. What most people don’t realize is that not only was Rowell starring on both programs, she was also writing episodes of Diagnosis Murder as well as dedicating herself to her philanthropic efforts.


Rowell was born in Portland, Maine. At only sixteen days old, she and her two sisters were surrendered to Child Services and transferred into the care of a foster family. Miss Rowell thrived as a child, showing a great interest in artistic pursuits. At the age of eight she began ballet lessons and showed remarkable skill as a dancer. This led her to dance for American Ballet Theatre II and the Juilliard School of Music Dance Extension and ultimately toward teaching the art of dance for a time.

By the 1980’s, Miss Rowell’s grace and beauty caught the eye of directors and designers alike as she embarked on a new career as a model. Being in front of the camera agreed with Rowell who was soon cast in supporting roles on a variety of television programs. It wasn’t long before she was starring on The Young and the Restless as "Drucilla," a young lady with a troubled past and a bright future as a model.

The mother of two children, Rowell is often reminded of her own childhood and the time she spent with her foster family. In order to provide children in similar positions to her own, in 1990, Victoria Rowell introduced the Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan, a program designed to offer financial aid and counseling to foster children. Furthermore, the program helps to encourage children with artistic tendencies. With Rowell as a role-model, no doubt, many children will be inspired to pursue their dreams of working in the arts.

The University of Southern Maine, in 2006, awarded Rowell with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for her tireless work with foster children. For her tender spirit and artistic beauty, Victoria Rowell is our “Person of the Week.” To learn more about Miss Rowell, visit her official Web site.