Born and raised in Springfield, MA, with three older siblings, actress Maura West studied dramatic arts at Boston University (where she earned her bachelor's), and merely a year after graduation snagged a covetable ongoing role as the conniving Carly Tenney, a gold-digging fashion designer sociopathically envious of her well-to-do-older sister, on the soap As the World Turns. The assignment began in 1995, and -- save a one-year lapse between 1996 and 1997 -- continued unabated for multiple seasons; in no time at all, Carly became a deep-seated and integral part of the series drama. In the part, West netted a 2007 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, and also claimed numerous Emmy nominations for supporting and lead acting work.