Born December 12, 1970, in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, Jennifer is an accomplished
star actress. Jennifer grew up in Brooklyn Heights, except for the four years her family spent
in Woodstock, New York. Her father, Gerard Connelly, is a clothing manufacturer, and her mother,
Eileen Connelly, is a massage therapist and former antiques dealer.
She attended Saint Ann's school in Brooklyn, enrolled at Yale, then transferred two years later
to Stanford. Her academic studies included interests in Quantum Physics and philosophy. Jennifer
is trained in classical theater and improvisation, having studied with the late drama coach Roy
London and with Howard Fine and Harold Guskin. She speaks fluent Italian, French and is semi
fluent in Japanese.
When Jennifer was 10, a family friend who was an advertising executive suggested that her parents
take her to a modeling audition. She began doing modeling work through the Ford Agency, appearing
in magazine ads for Seventeen magazine and soon moved on to TV commercials. She also appeared in
a Miller Beer commercial.
A casting director saw Jennifer and introduced her to Sergio Leone, who was seeking a young girl
to dance in his gangster epic "Once Upon a Time in America". Jennifer got the part, and this was
her first movie appearance, and the big break that launched her career.
Jennifer enjoys physical activities such as swimming, gymnastics, bike riding, and roller skating.
She is very much the outdoors person, being into camping, hiking and walking.
What attracts many people to Jennifer, is not so much the kind of characters or roles she plays
but her alluring style and charm which connects her to the audience. Jennifer seems able to bring
this talent into all her roles. Being one of the most attractive women ever to grace the screen
also helps considerably!
Jennifer states, "I'm still working and I have a lot to do, I have a lot I want to accomplish,
that's just in terms of the integrity of my work, and not about how people perceive me or if I'm
famous, I'm happy where I am". Jennifer has matured into one of the most versatile actresses on
the screen.
(2004) Dark Water
(2003) House of Sand and Fog
Characters played: Kathy Lazaro, Kathy Nicolo
(2003) The Hulk
Character played: Betty Ross
(2001) A Beautiful Mind
Character played: Alicia Nash
(2000) Requiem for a Dream
Character played: Marion Silver
(2000) The Street
Character played: Catherine Miller
(2000) Pollock
Character played: Ruth Kligman
(2000) Waking the Dead
Character played: Sarah Williams
(1998) Dark City
Character played: Emma Murdoch
(1997) Inventing the Abbotts
Character played: Eleanor Abbott
(1996) Mulholland Falls
Character played: Allison Pond
(1996) Far Harbor
(1996) Mr. Spreckman's Boat
Character played: Ellie
(1995) Higher Learning
Character played: Taryn
(1994) Of Love and Shadows
Character played: Irene
(1993) The Heart of Justice
Character played: Emma Burgess
(1991) Career Opportunities
Character played: Josie McClellan
(1991) The Rocketeer
Character played: Jenny Blake
(1990) The Hot Spot
Character played: Gloria Harper
(1989) Etoile
Character played: Claire Hamilton
(1988) Some Girls
Character played: Gabriella
(1986) Labyrinth
Character played: Sarah
(1986) Seven Minutes in Heaven
Character played: Natalie Becker
(1986) Inside the Labyrinth
(1985) Dario Argento's World of Horror
(1984) Once Upon a Time in America
Character played: Young Deborah
(1984) Phenomena
Character played: Jennifer Corvino
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Alyssa Milano
