Graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1981 [1981] When she was portraying the character of 'Jessica Griffin' on the daytime drama "As the World Turns" (1956), one of her mentors, actress/director/drama coach Billie Allen, portrayed her character's mother 'Louise' (1994). After five years of portraying Medical Examiner Melinda Warner on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999), she was finally given main cast billing in the seventh season. (2005) Shares a birthday with Michael Caine, Mercedes McNab, Kylie Tyndall, Keaton Tyndall, Quincy Jones, Chris Klein, & Jamie Bell Her father still operates the family business, a funeral home, in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2007, she received a Tony Award as co-producer for the musical "Spring Awakening". She was also a Tony Award nominee (Best Play) for co-producing August Wilson's Radio Golf.
