Jillian Noel Hennessy

Jillian Noel Hennessy (19 November 1975) is a Canadian actor and singer. She is most known for her roles in the American television show Law & Order, on which she played prosecutor Claire Kincaid for three seasons as well as Crossing Jordan, on which she was the main character, Jordan Cavanaugh, for six seasons. She was also in films like RoboCop 3 & Most Wanted and in independent films Chutney Popcorn & The Acting Class. The latter was also written and directed by her. Hennessy was born in Edmonton, Alberta. John Hennessy, her father was a meat-salesman, as well as a marketing/sales executive. His job involved a lot of travel, which resulted in numerous moves for the family. Maxine, her mother, was secretary. Her daughter was taken away by Eleanor her paternal grandmother who lived in Kitchener, Ontario. John Paul Hennessy Jr. Her younger brother is Jacqueline Hennessy who is an identical twin who is a journalist in a magazine and TV host in Canada. Her ancestry is comprised of Irish, French, Swedish, and Italian heritage from her father's side and predominantly Ukrainian Roma on her mother's. She was educated at Stanley Park Senior Public School, graduated from Grand River Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ontario and busked in the Toronto subway. Hennessy, her sister and her first performance was as twin call girls in 1988's Dead Ringers. She was not selected to play Dana Scully on The X-Files according to Gillian Anderson, the actress who eventually got the role.She made an appearance in Broadway in the musical Buddy The Buddy Holly Story in 1990. The Buddy Holly Story in 1990.In 1993, she appeared in the role of Dr. Marie Lazarus in RoboCop 3.In 1993, Dick Wolf signed Hennessy as assistant district attorney Claire Kincaid in the NBC crime drama Law & Order. The role was played by her for three seasons before she left the show in 1996.