Fran, born and raised in Queens, New York, wanted to be an actress from the time she was a child. She attended Hillcrest High School, a career-oriented school, and studied drama. She met her husband, Peter Marc Jacobson, in the drama club and they have been together ever since.

After a year at Queen's College, Fran and Peter decided they needed a practical trade to fall back on and entered cosmetology school. After receiving their licenses, they opened a mini-salon giving $5.00 haircuts.

Fran's first feature film role was in "Saturday Night Fever." Her other film credits include "American Hot Wax ," "Gorp,""The Hollywood Knights," "Ragtime," "Cadillac Man," " Serious Money" and "It Had To Be You." Her role in the cult classic "This is Spinal Tap" won her a "five minute Oscar" from Esquire magazine. (She later revived her Spinal Tap character, Bobbi Flekman, for a Nanny Episode.)

She starred in the series "Princesses" and has guested on television in "Alf," "Night Court," "Nine to Five," "Fame," "The Tracy Ullman Show" and " Civil Wars." Fran also co-starred in the television movies "Love and Betrayal" and "Terror in the Towers."

Fran and Peter, who serve as co-creators, writers and producers on "The Nanny," still find outlets for their entrepreneurial spirit. She and Peter are partners in a gourmet food line which produces Loaf n' Kisses Gourmet Croutons. " The 1988 writer's strike was the catalyst that got us started," she explains.

Fran, born on September 30, lives in Los Angeles with her pomeranian, Chester, who's also made a number of appearances on "The Nanny" (as CC's dog.)

Charles Shaughnessy, Maxwell Sheffield.

Charles Shaughnessy stars as Maxwell Sheffield, the sophisticated Broadway producer, who can't make a commitment to Fran, even though everyone including the Butler can see he's in love with her!

Shaughnessy, born and raised in London, England, came from a show business family. His father was the principal writer and script editor on "Upstairs, Downstairs" and his mother was an actress. He started acting in school plays while in grade school and, after graduating from Eton College, was accepted at Cambridge University to study law. "Despite a lifelong love of the theater, I thought it was about time someone in my family did something sensible," he says.

While at Cambridge he joined the famous "Footlights Revue" comedy group. Upon graduation, Shaughnessy returned to his first love, acting, and enrolled in drama school in London. After a year touring in repertory, he was cast in the Agatha Christie television series, "Partners in Crime." He then won the lead role in the BBC drama series "Jury."

Romance brought the actor to America and he moved to Hollywood to marry Susan Fallender, an actress he had met in drama school. Shaughnessy's first Los Angeles appearances included performances at the Mark Taper Forum, the Los Angeles Theatre Company and the Globe Playhouse. He was then cast in the role of Shane Donovan in the daytime series "Days of Our Lives." He stayed with the series for seven years and won three Soap Opera Digest Acting awards.

Among his other television credits are the miniseries "'Til We Meet Again" and the movie "Dayo." He also has made guest appearances on "Murphy Brown" and "Mad About You."

Shaughnessy and his wife live in Santa Monica with their children.

Daniel Davis, Niles.

Veteran actor Daniel Davis co-stars as Niles, the witty, very proper butler with a predelection for eaves-dropping!

Davis, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, began his career in show business at age 11 on a local television show for children where he sang, danced and performed skits. He attended the Arkansas Arts Center and graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in Fine Arts. Upon his graduation, he was invited to join the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he was spotted by a producer who brought him to New York for the lead in the off-Broadway production of "Futz."

When Davis left the play, he joined the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Conneticut for two years, thus launching his career in regional theater. He has performed with numerous companies over a 22 year span, including The Guthrie Theatre, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, The National Theatre of Canada and seven years with The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.

The actor also performed on Broadway in "Amadeus" and with Katharine Hepburn in "Coco." Davis also appeared in the feature films "The Hunt for Red October," "Havana" and "K-9."

His numerous television guest starring credits include "Cheers," "L.A. Law," "Civil Wars," "Frank's Place," "The Equalizer" and "Cagney & Lacey. " He also played the recurring role of Professor Moriarty in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Davis was a regular on the series "Texas" and co-starred in the television movies "A Mighty Fortress" and "The Perfect Tribute."

Davis, who moved to Hollywood in 1986, loves to read and is an exercise enthusiast. He is currently learning to ride dressage, a form of English horseback riding.