Sheila MacRae was born Sheila Margaret Stephens on September 24, 1921, in London, England. She moved to Long Island, New York, with her parents in 1939, just before the onset of World War II. Sheila finished high school at the young age of 15.

She married actor and singer Gordon MacRae in 1941, and the couple had four children together: Heather, Meredith, William, and Robert. She and Gordon often appeared on stage together in musicals such as "Bells Are Ringing" and "Guys and Dolls." Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 1967.

Her career in entertainment began in the 1950s, and she appeared in several films, including "Caged" (1950), "Backfire" (1950), and "Sex and the Single Girl" (1964). On television, she played herself in an episode of "I Love Lucy" and took over the role of Alice Kramden on "The Jackie Gleason Show" from 1966 to 1970.

She also had her own short-lived television series, "The Sheila MacRae Show," and played Madelyn Richmond on the soap opera "General Hospital" in 1991.

In her personal life, she faced challenges, including the breakdown of her marriage to Gordon MacRae due to his struggles with alcohol and gambling. Despite these difficulties, she continued to pursue her career and eventually married television producer Ronald Wayne in 1967, though this marriage also ended in divorce.

Sheila MacRae became a naturalized United States citizen in 1959.

Sheila MacRae was known for her strong presence and versatility as an actress, singer, and dancer. She received recognition for her contributions to the entertainment industry and was honored with the title of "Hollywood Mother of the Year."

Sheila MacRae passed away on March 6, 2014, at the age of 92, in Englewood, New Jersey. She was cremated shortly after her death.