Nicole was born as Nicole Theresa Schmidt, and changed her name to Nicole Forester. Forester is her paternal grandmother's maiden name. She grew up in Michigan and Majored in musical theatre at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

In 1993, she graduated the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, CA. Fluent in German, Forester studied at the Goethe Institute in Schwabisch Hall, Germany .

Joining GL in 2005, she's taken over the role of Cassie Winslow. Before she joined the cast of Guiding Light, She played recurring roles on Two and a Half Men, Will & Grace, Monk, and Beverly Hills 90210, among others. Most recently, Forester worked with Saturday Night Live's Chris Kattan to develop a new sitcom for ABC.

Forester is involved with charity organizations both in New York and Los Angeles, and sings in the acoustic trio, Telegraph Road. With a strong background in jazz and ballet, Forester studied musical theatre at Western Michigan University and performance at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

When she's not involved with numerous charities, Nicole loves to knit in her spare time.

Guiding Light - Cassie Winslow (November 4th, 2005 to Present)
Enough About Me - Veronica (2005)
Two and a Half Men - Camille (2005)
Monk - Susan Malloy (2004)
Enterprise - Nora (2003)
Will & Grace - Lucy (2002)

Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Actress (2008)