Biography:
"She will take on anybody because she’s used to living on the edge and not censoring herself," says Jill Hennessy, describing the character of medical examiner Jordan Cavanaugh in the NBC series "Crossing Jordan." "Jordon had to confront a lot of difficult things when she was very young, including the unsolved murder of her mother, so consequently she’s unafraid of how people will react to her. She just immediately lets people know what’s on her mind."

Hailing from Edmonton, Canada, Hennessy began her acting career in Toronto appearing in the feature film "Dead Ringers." She studied improvisational comedy with the famed Second City and also worked with a Toronto-based improv comedy troupe before landing a role in the Broadway-bound production of "The Buddy Holly Story."

Once in New York, Hennessy starred in Ron Howard’s feature film "The Paper," and her additional film credits include "I Shot Andy Warhol," "Chutney Popcorn," "Most Wanted," "A Smile Like Yours," "Dead Broke," "Row Your Boat," "The Florentine," "Two Ninas," "Molly," "Komodo," "Autumn in New York" and the box-office hit "Exit Wounds." She also performed in "The Acting Class," on which she also served as writer and co-director. Hennessy will also soon be seen in the Robert Redford/Sundance Lab project, "Nine Scenes About Love."

Television audiences best know Hennessy from the years (1993-96) she spent playing the role of assistant district attorney Claire Kincaid on the Emmy-winning NBC drama series "Law & Order." Last season, she returned to NBC by starring as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the miniseries "Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot." In addition, she received a Golden Satellite Award (Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television) from the International Press Academy for her work in the cable movie "Nuremberg."

Hennessy resides in Manhattan when she is not at work in Los Angeles on "Crossing Jordan.

Her birthday is November 25.

Television Credits:
Crossing Jordan as Medical Examiner Jordan Cavannaugh, M.D. (2001)
Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot (miniseries) as Jackie Kennedy (2000)
Law & Order as ADA Claire Kincaid (1993-1996)
Homicide: Life on the Street as Claire Kincaid in episode: "For God and Country" (original airdate: 02/09/1996)
Seinfeld as George's girlfriend in episode: "the doodle" (original airdate: 04/06/1995)
Flying Blind as Lauren Benjamin in episode: "Crazy for You ... and You" (original airdate: 09/27/1992)
War of the Worlds as Scott in episode: "Max" (original airdate: 04/30/1990)
Friday the 13th as Secretary in episode: "Year of the Monkey" (original airdate: 01/15/1990)
The Hitchhiker as Elisabeth in episode: "Pawns" (original airdate: 12/16/1989)
The Hitchhiker as Marla in episode: "Striptease" (original airdate: 11/17/1989)
Friday the 13th as Vampire Woman in episode: "Night Prey" (original airdate: 11/13/1989)
Friday the 13th as Spanish Hooker in episode: "Wedding In Black" (original airdate: 05/08/1989)
War of the Worlds as Patty in episode: "Goliath Is My Name" (original airdate: 11/14/1988)