Camryn Manheim

Debra Frances "Camryn" Manheim, primarily known by her stage name Camryn Manheim, was born on March 8, 1961, and is an American actress that first caught the attention of viewers through her off-Broadway one-woman show, "Wake Up, I'm Fat", in 1994. She is famously known for her performances as Ellenor Frutt on The Practice (1997–2004), Delia Banks on Ghost Whisperer (2006–2010), "Control" on Person of Interest (2013–2015), Lieutenant Cosgrove on Stumptown (2019–2020), and Gladys Presley in the 2005 miniseries Elvis. Commencing 2022 through 2024, she captured the leading role of Kate Dixon on Law & Order. Manheim's film contributions include Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), Happiness (1998), What Planet Are You From? (2000), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Twisted (2004), Dark Water (2005), An Unfinished Life (2005), and Cop Car (2015). She is a recipient of numerous distinguished awards such as the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

Camryn Manheim was born and brought up in West Caldwell, New Jersey, in a Jewish family. She relocated several times in her early life due to her father's academic profession. Her passion for acting sparked after working at a Renaissance faire during high school. She holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Cruz and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program. Manheim’s early career included working as a sign language interpreter at hospitals, which later proved helpful for her various roles on-screen. She achieved her breakthrough with her own one-woman show "Wake Up, I'm Fat." She also received an Emmy for her role on The Practice in 1999 and the Women in Film Lucy Award. In her personal life, she has a son Milo, conceived via sperm donation from a close friend, and she is also actively involved with the Los Angeles–based charity Bet Tzedek Legal Services.