Jillian Noel Hennessy

Jillian Noel Hennessy (born November 25 on the 25th of November, 1968) is a Canadian actor and a singer. Her most notable roles include those on American television's Law & Order where she was the prosecutor Claire Kincaid for three seasons and Crossing Jordan for six. She has also been an actress in films such RoboCop 3: Most Wanted, as well the independent films Chutney Popcorn (which she also co-directed) and The Acting Class (which was written by her). Hennessy was born and was raised in Edmonton, Alberta. John Hennessy, John's father, was a meat and marketing sales and marketing executive. The position required significant traveling and the family had to move frequently. Maxine Hernnessy, Maxine's mother and secretary, died in 1982. Eleanor her paternal grandmother in Kitchener (Ontario) took part in raising her daughter. John Paul Hennessy Jr. has a younger brother and Jacqueline, a twin sister. Jacqueline is an anchor and journalist on a Canadian TV program. Hennessy is a mix of Irish, French French, Swedish and Italian roots from her father's side as well as predominantly Ukrainian Roma on the mother's. She was a graduate of Grand River Collegiate Institute and Stanley Park Senior Public School. Hennessy as well as her sister were the first to appear as twin call girls on 1988's Dead Ringers. Gillian Anderson, who was the actress chosen to play the role, stated she was a finalist to play Dana Scully in The X-Files. The role lasted three seasons. She left the show in 1996.