FAMILY Shawn Batten was born on August 14 in Kansas City, Missouri, but her family, father David and mother Olga, actually lived in Kansas City, Kansas. A majority of her extended family lives in Newfoundland, Canada. Her father was a general manager and service manager for General Motors and then for Mercedes-Benz. However, when she was 6, her family settled down in Ramsey, New Jersey, where her father now owns a Mercedes-Benz/Volkswagon dealership. Shawn has one younger sister, Sharon, who is working in the fashion industry. As a child, Shawn had a pet rabbit named "Book". THE START Acting was something Batten always wanted to do, even as a youngster. When she was 14, her parents took her to Manhattan every Saturday to attend a day-long session for young people at the Lee Strasberg Institute. She began auditioning at the age of 16. No other family member has had any acting experience, so she bought a book called How To Be a Working Actor that was recommended to her by a kid down the street who also did commercials. TRAINING/EDUCATION Batten majored in drama at Syracuse University. She belonged to the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority while attending the university. Shawn perfected her craft at North Carolina School of Arts, as well as the Atlantic Theatre Company (founded by William H. Macy, David Mamet, and Robert Bella). She also studied in several Master Classes with Arthur Storch, Tazewell Thompson, and Kristen Linklater. Batten is trained in dance styles of ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop/club. PERSONAL Shawn was also a vegetarian for almost fifteen years. Batten has never eaten at McDonalds. However, on the night she learned she got the part of Sara Cummings on "Sunset Beach", Shawn ate a filet mignon and felt great! Batten is recently engaged to music producer and guitarist Steve Lukather, who plays with the group, Toto. They met at a John Fogerty concert. The couple was also introduced by Melissa Etheridge's drummer, Kenny Aaronoff. Batten now sports a three and a half carat emerald cut diamond ring. Lukather proposed to Batten on their 1½ year anniversary on August 9th. It was "romantic and traditional [and] I was in an elated state of shock and made him repeat the question to make sure I wasn't really dreaming!" An October, 2000 wedding is planned. Batten participates in several sports including: aerobics (step), running, tennis, skating, mountain biking, volleyball, and soccer. Batten also has her belly button pierced and a star branded/tatooed on her forearm.

Age: 29 Family: Boris Carlisle (father); Dmitri Carlisle (brother); Sasha Carlisle (brother); Ivan Carlisle (brother); Age When Her Life Turned To Crap: Four, the age her brother Dmitri was born. Occupation: Powerless VP at her father's company, Spyder Games. Education: Fort Kent Middle School, expelled 1984; Lycee St. Agatha, Gstaad, Switzerland, expelled 1986; Amsterdam American High School, The Netherlands, graduated, 1989; New York University. Bachelor's in Abnormal Psychology Home: The Carlisle Mansion, 77 Bluffside Drive, Fort Kent. If She Hates Her Father So Much, Why Doesn't She Move Out: Too complicated to explain. Confidante and Henchman: Her assistant, Todd. Favorite Toys: Her platinum card, her Jaguar, unsuspecting hot men. Favorite Easy-Listening CD: Jagged Little Pill.