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, and Crossing Jordan, on which she was the main character, Jordan Cavanaugh, for six seasons. She has also acted as an actress in films such RoboCop 3: Most Wanted as well as the independent films Chutney Popcorn (which she also co-directed) and The Acting Class (which was written by her). Hennessy was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Her father, John Hennessy, was a meat salesman and sales/marketing executive, a job which required a lot of travel, and resulted in frequent moves for the entire family. Maxine Hernnessy, Maxine's mom and secretary, passed away in the year 1982. Eleanor her paternal grandmother in Kitchener (Ontario) played a part in the raising of her daughter. John Paul Hennessy Jr. is her younger brother. Jacqueline is her identical twin sister. She is a Canadian magazine writer and host. Hennessy is a mix of Irish, French French, Swedish and Italian origins on her father's side, and predominantly Ukrainian Roma on the mother's. She went to Stanley Park Senior Public School and graduated from Grand River Collegiate Institute, both of which are located in Kitchener, Ontario, and was busking in the Toronto subway. Hennessy was the younger sister of her brother. They made their acting debut in 1988 as twin call-girls in Dead Ringers. She was short listed to play Dana Scully on The X-Files according to Gillian Anderson, the actress who ultimately got the role.She was in Broadway in the musical Buddy The Buddy Holly Story in 1990. The Buddy Holly Story in 1990.In 1993, she was on the show as Dr. Marie Lazarus in RoboCop 3.In 1993, Dick Wolf signed Hennessy as the assistant district attorney Claire Kincaid in the NBC crime drama Law & Order. The role lasted three seasons. The show ended in 1996.