Samantha Marie Ware

Early life and career Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, Ware started her acting career while attending Doane University at the age of 19. She started acting in theater productions, being cast in a Las Vegas production of The Lion King as Nala and later in 2012 national tour for The Book of Mormon, for which she won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Performer.

Personal life In June 2020, Ware accused Glee series main cast member Lea Michele, with whom she worked in late 2014 during Ware's recurring role in the sixth season of the series, of being very rude to her on set, behaving with "traumatic microaggressions". Ware made her comments in direct response to Michele having posted a message on social media saying "George Floyd did not deserve this. This was not an isolated incident and it must end. #BlackLives Matter", though she did not specifically state that Michele's rude behavior towards new actors with minor roles was akin to the racism involved in the murder of George Floyd. Michele responded with an apology, noting that the comments from numerous cast members in response to Ware's accusation had made her aware that her general treatment of all cast members during those years was "insensitive or inappropriate", a sign of "immaturity", understood that she was "unnecessarily difficult" towards others around her, and she would "keep working to better myself and take responsibility for my actions."

Filmography

Film and television YearFilmRole Notes 2015 Glee Jane Hayward Recurring role (season 6) 2016 Margot vs. Lily Lily Main role 2016 Barry Tisha Film 2017 Chicago Med Julia Episode: "Lose Yourself" 2017 Bull Lacey Adams Episode: "No Good Deed" 2018 NCIS: New Orleans Josie Hill Episode: "Ties That Bind" 2019 What/If Angela Archer Main role 2019 God Friended Me Claire Thompson Episode: "The Greater Good" 2020–2021 Doom Patrol Miranda 4 episodes 2020–2023 All Rise Vanessa “Ness” Johnson Recurring role (season 2–3)202424-Karat ChristmasTrish MooreMain Character2025–2026 Grey's AnatomyKatie RogersRecurring role