Maura West

About

Maura West DeFreitas (born Maura Jo Snyder; April 27, 1972) is an American actress. She began her career in 1995 when she was cast Carly Tenney on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns; she remained with the soap until its series finale on September 17, 2010. West later went on to portray Diane Jenkins on The Young and the Restless from September 2010 to August 2011. In 2013, she was cast in the role of art dealer Ava Jerome on General Hospital. She has been nominated for 12 Daytime Emmy Awards, winning three of them for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

West was born on April 27, 1972, in Springfield, Massachusetts, as the youngest of four children, with two brothers and a sister. Growing up in Ludlow, Massachusetts, West attended Boston University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

In 1995, West joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns in the role of Carly Tenney. She held the role from April 11, 1995, to May 8, 1996. West later returned to the role on September 10, 1997, remaining on the series until its television finale on September 17, 2010. West has received a number of honors for her portrayal of Carly,…