Shari Rigby Biography: American Actress, Director, Author, and Inspirational Speaker
Shari Rigby Biography
Shari Rigby is an American actress, director, writer, producer, author, and speaker known for her work in faith-based and family-oriented films and media. Born Shari Wiedmann, she has appeared in notable projects such as October Baby and Overcomer while expanding into directing, producing, and writing that reflect themes of redemption, identity, and purpose. Her career also includes modeling, television appearances, and leadership of a nonprofit supporting women in entertainment.
Her story moves from small-town North Dakota roots through personal challenges in Arizona and into professional work in Los Angeles and beyond. Rigby shares openly about her experiences as a mother, wife, and woman of faith, using her platform to encourage others through storytelling, mentorship, and creative projects that aim to inspire positive change.
Shari Rigby Early Life
Shari Rigby was born on September 9, 1969, in Bismarck, North Dakota, United States. She is an American national with deep roots in the state. Much of her early childhood was spent in Cooperstown, a small rural community in North Dakota with a population under one thousand people and limited amenities, including one flashing red stoplight and a downtown movie theater that became a central part of her young imagination.
North Dakota’s landscape and climate shaped her early years. The state is known for its wide open spaces, agricultural heritage, cold winters, and tight-knit small towns. Rigby has described Cooperstown as a place of outdoor play and simple community life. Her father served as the local sheriff, and her mother stayed home, creating what she has called an outwardly picture-perfect family environment. At age five she performed in a church play at the local Lutheran church, taking the role of Mary, mother of Jesus. That early stage experience stayed with her.
The local movie theater offered an important escape. Rigby spent hours there watching films and dreaming of becoming a leading lady on screen. She also watched television shows with her father, including police and action programs. These experiences planted an early interest in entertainment and storytelling.
Around the age of ten, her family relocated to Arizona. The move from a quiet North Dakota town to the growing city of Phoenix brought significant change. The shift from open fields and small-town rhythms to a more urban setting was challenging. In Arizona, Rigby faced typical adolescent insecurities related to appearance, including curly red hair, retaining baby fat into junior high, and a lisp. These feelings contributed to a search for acceptance.
During her teenage years she experienced a pregnancy, entered an early marriage, and later became a single mother for a period. She has spoken candidly in interviews and her writing about struggles that included unhealthy relationships, involvement in the rock music scene, substance use, and a period of searching for identity and love in difficult places. She graduated high school while caring for her infant son, walking across the stage with a five-week-old baby. These experiences formed a complex early adulthood marked by both hardship and eventual redirection.
Her faith journey began with an introduction to Christian teaching as a young teenager in Arizona. She has described accepting Christ in a church setting around age thirteen, though a deeper personal relationship developed later. These formative years in North Dakota and Arizona laid the foundation for the themes of healing, purpose, and resilience that appear throughout her later work and public speaking.
Shari Rigby Career
Shari Rigby’s professional path began with modeling and commercial work before expanding into acting, directing, writing, and producing. Success in print modeling came relatively early and led to commercial campaigns. She represented brands that included Mercedes-Benz, Humira, American West Airlines, Suzuki, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Cox Cable. This work provided experience in front of the camera and opened doors into further entertainment opportunities.
Modeling and Early On-Screen Work
Print and commercial modeling served as an entry point. Rigby has noted that opportunities arose in unexpected ways, including a conversation while serving coffee at a church coffee shop in Phoenix that encouraged her to pursue commercials. This led to representation and work that built her professional resume.
Her acting career gained early momentum with a lead role in the music video for “Slow Fade” by the Christian band Casting Crowns. The video received a Dove Award and connected to the broader audience of the film Fireproof. Appearances followed on daytime television, including roles on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Feature Films and Acting Roles
Rigby has built a body of work primarily in faith-based and inspirational films. Selected feature film credits include:
- October Baby (2011) as Cindy Hastings
- Not Today (2013) as Sarah Kendrick
- Easy Rider: The Ride Back (2012) in a supporting role
- Wildflower (2016) as Nicole
- Extraordinary (2017) as Nancy
- Overcomer (2019) as Amy Harrison
- The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story (2019) as Gladys Staines
- Paul’s Promise (2022) as Barbara Holderfield
- Roll with It (2023) as Evelyn
- Grace by Night (2024) as Claire
- Additional projects such as Miracle in the Valley, Florida Wild, and others in various stages
October Baby received attention as one of the top impressive box office performances of 2012 according to CNN reporting at the time. Not Today earned multiple awards, including an IFFF Spirit Award and recognition as Best Justice Film. Overcomer, directed by the Kendrick Brothers, became one of her higher-profile roles and reached a wide audience in the faith film category. She has also contributed in supporting capacities to projects connected to the Kendrick Brothers, including scene direction work on Overcomer and involvement with LifeMark and The Forge.
Television credits include guest and co-star appearances, work on The Encounter, Malibu Dan the Family Man, and more recent series such as County Rescue, where she has both acted and directed.
Directing, Producing, and Writing
Rigby expanded behind the camera with her directing debut on the book trailer for her autobiography Beautifully Flawed. She went on to write and direct short films including Birdie’s Song, which received multiple nominations at the 168 Film Festival. Other directing and producing work includes projects for the Salvation Army, The Church That Never Sleeps for the Dream Center, and Pursue the Passion related to the re-release of The Passion of the Christ.
She has served as executive producer, writer, and director for episodes of the Dream Center television series that aired on Daystar, with involvement in approximately twenty episodes in various capacities. She has also held a role as Director of Broadcast Media for the Dream Center. Feature directing credits include Divine Influencer (2023), which earned awards recognition, and Identity Crisis (2023), a film aimed at teen audiences. She has directed episodes of County Rescue as well.
As a writer and author she co-wrote the autobiography Beautifully Flawed with Claire Yorita Lee, published in 2015. She has completed devotionals including a seven-day project titled Pursue the Passion connected to The Passion of the Christ and the book Consider the Lilies, along with a 40-day devotional version released in 2022. Additional writing projects fall under the Beautifully Flawed brand. She co-founded Beautifully Flawed Productions with Claire Yorita Lee to develop film and television content focused on meaningful stories, particularly those centered on women of faith.
Public Speaking and Broader Media Work
Rigby speaks at churches, conferences, and events, addressing topics of identity, purpose, faith, and life in the entertainment industry. She has appeared as a guest on programs associated with CBN, TBN, American Family Radio, Focus on the Family, and K-Love. Her speaking engagements have reached large audiences over the years.
Shari Rigby Personal Life
Shari Rigby is married to Matt Rigby. The couple has been together for nearly three decades, with public references noting anniversary milestones in the range of 22 to 29 years depending on the date of the statement. They have two sons, Donnie and Levi. Donnie is her oldest son from earlier years; Levi is their younger son together. The family has lived in the Los Angeles area since around 2009 while maintaining connections to Arizona and later spending time related to family business interests. Donnie has been involved in the family business Wiedmannbros, connected to agricultural goods and previously linked to North Dakota roots.
Matt is a Fargo, North Dakota native, which has provided a shared cultural background. The couple has spoken about building their marriage and family life around faith, mutual support, and navigating seasons of change, including moves and career demands. Rigby has described lessons learned in marriage, such as the importance of apology and partnership, that informed her portrayal of a wife and mother in Overcomer.
She is the aunt of singer Jordin Sparks, the 2007 American Idol winner, and has family connections through marriage to former professional football player Phillippi Sparks. Family remains a central priority alongside her professional work.
Shari Rigby Faith Journey and Ministry Work
Faith is a consistent thread in Rigby’s public story. After early church exposure and later personal challenges, she experienced a deeper commitment that reshaped her direction. She has credited faith with guiding career opportunities and providing purpose beyond commercial success. This perspective influences the content she chooses and the organizations she supports.
She has worked with or supported groups including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan’s Purse, Feed the Children, the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Salvation Army, and the Dream Center in Los Angeles. Her involvement with the Dream Center extended into media production and leadership roles that aligned storytelling with service.
Shari Rigby The Women In My World
In 2010 Rigby founded The Women In My World, a ministry and later nonprofit focused on supporting Christian women, particularly those in entertainment and media. The organization emphasizes identity, purpose, mentoring, discipleship, and creating content that aligns with faith values. It aims to educate, develop, and launch women to influence culture through their talents. The group received nonprofit status in later years to expand resources and support. Rigby continues to lead and speak through this platform, connecting personal experience with practical encouragement for others navigating similar paths.
Shari Rigby Awards and Recognition
Rigby’s work has received industry recognition. According to public film databases, she holds multiple wins and nominations. Divine Influencer earned a 2023 ICVM Crown Award for Best Non-Theatrical Release Feature Film and a nomination for Best Picture, along with a 2024 Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring TV Program. Birdie’s Song received nominations at the 168 Film Festival. Not Today collected several awards including an IFFF Spirit Award. Paul’s Promise brought a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Canadian International Faith and Family Film Festival. October Baby earned broader cultural notice for its box office performance relative to its category. These acknowledgments reflect appreciation within faith-based and inspirational entertainment circles.
Shari Rigby Contributions to Faith-Based Entertainment
Rigby occupies a place in the growth of contemporary faith and family films. Her roles often portray women navigating family, career, moral questions, and personal growth. Transitioning into directing and producing has allowed her to shape stories from multiple angles. Collaboration with established names in the genre, including the Kendrick Brothers, has expanded her reach. Through Beautifully Flawed Productions she continues developing projects that prioritize meaningful narratives, especially those featuring women of faith as central figures.
Her combination of on-screen presence, behind-the-camera work, writing, and mentoring creates a multifaceted contribution. She frequently emphasizes that career opportunities arrived through unexpected avenues and that faith provided direction when plans shifted, such as after deciding against further children and focusing energy elsewhere.
Conclusion
Shari Rigby’s biography reflects a journey from rural North Dakota beginnings through personal trials and professional development into a sustained career in entertainment and ministry. From modeling and early acting roles to feature films, directing, authorship, and nonprofit leadership, she has built a body of work centered on stories of resilience and purpose. Her openness about early struggles, commitment to family, and focus on mentoring women add depth to her public profile. Through ongoing projects in film, television, writing, and speaking, she continues to create and share content intended to encourage audiences while remaining grounded in the values that shaped her path.
FAQs
Who is Shari Rigby?
Shari Rigby is an American actress, director, writer, producer, author, and speaker recognized for roles in faith-based films such as October Baby and Overcomer, as well as directing projects including Divine Influencer and involvement with media for the Dream Center.
Where was Shari Rigby born?
She was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, and spent significant early childhood years in the small town of Cooperstown, North Dakota, before her family moved to Arizona.
What is Shari Rigby’s full birth name?
Her birth name is Shari Wiedmann. She is known professionally as Shari Rigby.
Is Shari Rigby married and does she have children?
Yes, she is married to Matt Rigby. They have two sons named Donnie and Levi.
What are some of Shari Rigby’s most known films?
Notable films include October Baby (as Cindy Hastings), Overcomer (as Amy Harrison), Not Today, Wildflower, The Least of These, and more recent titles such as Grace by Night and Paul’s Promise.
Has Shari Rigby written any books?
Yes. She co-wrote the autobiography Beautifully Flawed with Claire Yorita Lee, published in 2015. She has also written Consider the Lilies and related devotionals.
What is The Women In My World?
It is a nonprofit organization founded by Shari Rigby that focuses on mentoring, educating, and supporting Christian women, especially those working in entertainment and media, to develop their gifts and create positive content.
Has Shari Rigby won any awards?
Yes. Recognitions include awards for Divine Influencer (ICVM Crown Award and Epiphany Prize), multiple awards connected to Not Today, and nominations for projects such as Birdie’s Song and Paul’s Promise.
How did Shari Rigby begin her acting career?
After modeling and commercial work, she gained notice with a lead role in the Dove Award-winning Casting Crowns music video “Slow Fade,” followed by soap opera appearances and feature films.
Where does Shari Rigby currently focus her work?
She continues acting, directing, producing, writing, speaking, and leading The Women In My World, with recent credits including directing and acting in projects such as County Rescue and ongoing development through Beautifully Flawed Productions.
