Sharon Taylor was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre from Simon Fraser University.

She worked extensively in theatre for many years before switching to television and film.

She has trained in martial arts since her twenties, and has a second degree black belt in both karate and kickboxing.

Upon learning that Sharon was a black belt kickboxer, the producers of Stargate: Atlantis decided to write it into her character's actions in the episode "The Prodigal".