From ER Fame to Family: Sherry Stringfield's Rare Reappearance

"ER's Original Heartthrob Sherry Stringfield Walked Away from TV's Hottest Show - And Now We Know Why!"

The stunning Sherry Stringfield, who sizzled as Dr. Susan Lewis on one of the most iconic shows in television history, ER, stunned fans by leaving the Emmy-winning drama at the height of her career. But why did she walk away?

A recently resurfaced photo from 2022 has given us a glimpse into Stringfield's life post-ER, and it's clear that she made the right decision for herself - even if it meant sacrificing fame and fortune.

The picture shows the now 58-year-old actress looking radiant with her silver hair and youthful complexion, accompanied by none other than her son Milo Joseph, who's a dashing 21 years old. It's clear that Stringfield has been living life on her own terms, away from the glare of the cameras.

But back in the late '90s, Stringfield was riding high as one of ER's original cast members, alongside A-listers like George Clooney and Julianna Margulies. She was exhausted from putting in 18-hour days, pushing herself to be on set even when she was feeling under the weather.

"I got pneumonia, viral meningitis... You get a cold, they won't let you off for a cold, then you get the flu, then you're running a fever, you're still coming in, you're taking a nap on the gurneys in between scenes," Stringfield revealed to Entertainment Weekly in 1997. "You push, push, push, and finally your body says no f---ing way."

It was around this time that Stringfield started reevaluating her priorities. She wanted to be closer to her then-boyfriend, who lived in New York City - a far cry from the ER set in Chicago.

Fast forward to 2001, when Stringfield gave birth to her daughter Phoebe. It was this life-changing event that made her realize she needed the structure and stability of a job.

"I asked to return to ER about six months after I had my baby," Stringfield told the Chicago Tribune at the time. "Series television is either a nightmare or the best thing in the whole world. It really depends on where you are in your life."

And so, Stringfield made her way back to the ER set, this time with a newfound appreciation for the demands of working in television.

"I met with John Wells and I was like, 'I'd love to come back.' And he said, 'OK, we'd love to have you back.' That was it," she recalled. "Then I moved, read the first script, and showed up for work. It was really that easy.'

Stringfield stayed with ER through season 11, her character written out without fanfare.

But even as she navigated the ups and downs of working in television, Stringfield continued to prioritize her family. She had a nine-episode run on Under the Dome in 2014 and appeared in four episodes of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders in 2017 - small parts, but ones that allowed her to maintain some level of creative fulfillment.

Now, at 58, Stringfield seems to be enjoying life on her own terms. She's traded in the drama and chaos of TV production for a more peaceful existence, one where she can focus on her loved ones and pursue projects that bring her joy.

And who can blame her? After all, as any ER fan will tell you, Sherry Stringfield was always the heart of the show - and it seems like she's still beating strong.