Born in Parkersburg, Virginia, Devon Odessa first gained an interest in acting when she and her family moved to New Orleans. There she appeared in a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Later Devon moved to Los Angeles with her mother, who is also an actress. Fans of My So-Called Life recognize Devon for the energy and style she brought to the role of Sharon Cherski, the friend Angela dumps because of her too-good image. Devon said that from the start she felt drawn to the role. 

Although Devon initially read for the parts of both Angela Chase and Rayanne Graff, she consistently asked the casting director if she could read for the part of Sharon Cherski, because she felt connected with that character. "What I loved about playing the character of Sharon", said Devon, "was that Winnie [Holzman, the series creator] cut through all the stereotype and allowed me to explore darker, more complex issues that bubble underneath a character that could outwardly be perceived as the goody-two-shoes perk monster in total control. It's easy to slot people and dismiss them after a first impression, and I hope the role of Sharon has encouraged people to take the time to look beyond the facade, and appreciate that everyone has issues, and nobody is perfect and has everything they want. "We are all connected in a very fundamental way", added Devon, "which is why My So-Called Life was so important to so many people. We all shared, and came out the better for it." 

Devon's other television acting credits include recurring roles in CBS's Angel Falls. She has also appeared as a guest star in episodes of The Wonder Years, Full House, Step by Step, Highway to Heaven, Hunter, The Facts of Life, and My Talk Show. Her made-for-television movies include Girl of the Limberlost and Extreme Close-Up. Her feature films include MGM's Pumpkinhead. Devon is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. She enjoys dancing, horseback riding, tennis, and skating.

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