Jennifer Esposito
Encyclopedia
Jennifer Esposito is an American actress, dancer and model
, known for her appearances in films such as I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
, Summer of Sam
and Crash
and in television series such as Spin City
, The Looney Tunes Show
and Samantha Who?
.
, New York
, the daughter of Phyllis, an interior decorator, and Robert Esposito, a computer consultant and music producer. She has one older sister. Esposito grew up and attended St. Teresa School in Staten Island
, and graduated from Moore Catholic High School
in Staten Island
.. In 1989, she won the title of homecoming queen at Msgr. Farrell High School.
in 1996, but she is best known as Stacey in the prime time hit Spin City
. She also appeared in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
playing Nancy, who is killed when a spear impales her chest. One of her more notable roles was as Ruby in Spike Lee
's Summer of Sam
in 1999, which was set against the late-1970s backdrop of the Son of Sam
murders. She originally had the Mira Sorvino
role in Summer of Sam, but had to take a different role due to scheduling conflicts. Esposito's next film was Wes Craven Presents: Dracula 2000
.
In 2000, Esposito appeared on Law & Order: SVU as a rape
victim. She played Don Cheadle
's girlfriend, Ria, in the Academy Award
-winning film Crash
. Esposito was part of the cast for the now canceled WB
show Related in which she played Ginnie Sorelli. She also played the part of Jennifer in The Master of Disguise
in 2002 and played a Lieutenant in the NYPD in the 2004 film Taxi
. She recently played a love interest to Denis Leary
's character in the FX dramedy Rescue Me
. Most recently, Esposito appeared on television as Andrea Belladonna in the ABC comedy, Samantha Who?
. She also appeared in the NBC medical drama Mercy
.
In 2010, she is currently playing Donnie Wahlberg
's partner, Jackie Curatola, on Blue Bloods
.
Esposito will appear in the 2011 film Killer in the Family, alongside Holly Marie Combs
and James Denton
.
for eight months between 1996 and 1997. She later married Bradley Cooper
on December 30, 2006. However, in April 2007, she filed for divorce
. On August 24, 2007 court papers were filed that set a final date of November 10 for the official termination of the couple's marriage.
Esposito was engaged to tennis player Mark Philippoussis
but broke it off.
On Late Show with David Letterman on October 26, 2011, she told the host, "I was diagnosed with celiac disease a couple years ago." She said she plans to open a gluten-free bakery.
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, known for her appearances in films such as I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is a 1998 slasher film and sequel to the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer. The screenplay was written by Trey Callaway, based on characters originally created in a popular novel by Lois Duncan. Callaway's script was published in an edited "young adult"...
, Summer of Sam
Summer of Sam
Summer of Sam is a 1999 crime-drama based around the Son of Sam serial murders. It was directed and produced by Spike Lee.-Plot:Summer of Sam is the story of a group of people in New York City in the summer of 1977, a time when the headlines were dominated by the Son of Sam serial killer...
and Crash
Crash (2004 film)
Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video...
and in television series such as Spin City
Spin City
Spin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on the ABC network. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike...
, The Looney Tunes Show
The Looney Tunes Show
The Looney Tunes Show is a packaged show, created for Cartoon Network, and broadcast from 2002 to 2005. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The show featured cartoon shorts from the original Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon series produced from 1930 to 1969.-External links:...
and Samantha Who?
Samantha Who?
Samantha Who? is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007 to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Don Todd, who also served as producers...
.
Early life
Esposito, an Italian-American, was born in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the daughter of Phyllis, an interior decorator, and Robert Esposito, a computer consultant and music producer. She has one older sister. Esposito grew up and attended St. Teresa School in Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
, and graduated from Moore Catholic High School
Moore Catholic High School
Moore Catholic High School is a private, religious school on Staten Island, New York. It was founded by the archdiocese and the Presentation Sisters of Staten Island in September 1962, under the name Countess Moore High School...
in Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
.. In 1989, she won the title of homecoming queen at Msgr. Farrell High School.
Career
Esposito made her first television appearance in Law & OrderLaw & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
in 1996, but she is best known as Stacey in the prime time hit Spin City
Spin City
Spin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on the ABC network. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike...
. She also appeared in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is a 1998 slasher film and sequel to the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer. The screenplay was written by Trey Callaway, based on characters originally created in a popular novel by Lois Duncan. Callaway's script was published in an edited "young adult"...
playing Nancy, who is killed when a spear impales her chest. One of her more notable roles was as Ruby in Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
's Summer of Sam
Summer of Sam
Summer of Sam is a 1999 crime-drama based around the Son of Sam serial murders. It was directed and produced by Spike Lee.-Plot:Summer of Sam is the story of a group of people in New York City in the summer of 1977, a time when the headlines were dominated by the Son of Sam serial killer...
in 1999, which was set against the late-1970s backdrop of the Son of Sam
David Berkowitz
David Richard Berkowitz , also known as Son of Sam and the .44 Caliber Killer, is an American serial killer and arsonist whose crimes terrorized New York City from July 1976 until his arrest in August 1977.Shortly after his arrest in August 1977, Berkowitz confessed to killing six people and...
murders. She originally had the Mira Sorvino
Mira Sorvino
Mira Katherine Sorvino is an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mighty Aphrodite and is also known for her role as Romy White in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.- Early life :Sorvino was born in Tenafly, New Jersey...
role in Summer of Sam, but had to take a different role due to scheduling conflicts. Esposito's next film was Wes Craven Presents: Dracula 2000
Dracula 2000
Dracula 2000, also known internationally as Dracula 2001, is a 2000 horror film written and directed by Patrick Lussier. The film stars Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer, Jonny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Omar Epps, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Jeri Ryan, and Jennifer Esposito.Dracula 2000, the...
.
In 2000, Esposito appeared on Law & Order: SVU as a rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
victim. She played Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle
Donald Frank "Don" Cheadle, Jr. is an American film actor and producer. Cheadle rose to prominence in the late 1990s and the early 2000s for his supporting roles in the Steven Soderbergh-directed films Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean's Eleven...
's girlfriend, Ria, in the Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-winning film Crash
Crash (2004 film)
Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video...
. Esposito was part of the cast for the now canceled WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
show Related in which she played Ginnie Sorelli. She also played the part of Jennifer in The Master of Disguise
The Master of Disguise
The Master of Disguise is a family fantasy comedy film released in 2002 starring actors Dana Carvey, Jennifer Esposito, James Brolin and Brent Spiner...
in 2002 and played a Lieutenant in the NYPD in the 2004 film Taxi
Taxi (2004 film)
Taxi is a 2004 American remake of the 1998 Luc Besson-penned, Gérard Pirès-directed French film of the same name, starring Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon and Gisele Bündchen, and directed by Tim Story.-Plot:...
. She recently played a love interest to Denis Leary
Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary is an Irish-American actor, comedian, writer and director. Leary is known for his biting, fast paced comedic style and chain smoking...
's character in the FX dramedy Rescue Me
Rescue Me (TV series)
Rescue Me is an American television drama series that premiered on the FX Network on July 21, 2004, and concluded on September 7, 2011. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictitious Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse.The show...
. Most recently, Esposito appeared on television as Andrea Belladonna in the ABC comedy, Samantha Who?
Samantha Who?
Samantha Who? is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007 to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Don Todd, who also served as producers...
. She also appeared in the NBC medical drama Mercy
Mercy (TV series)
Mercy is a medical drama which aired on NBC from September 23, 2009 to May 12, 2010. The series initially aired on Wednesday nights at 8/7c, as part of the 2009 fall season, but was pushed back to 9/8c in April....
.
In 2010, she is currently playing Donnie Wahlberg
Donnie Wahlberg
Donald Edward "Donnie" Wahlberg, Jr. is an American singer, actor and film producer. He is a member of the popular 1980s and 1990s boy band New Kids on the Block. His work background includes music, feature films, and television...
's partner, Jackie Curatola, on Blue Bloods
Blue Bloods (TV series)
Blue Bloods is an American police procedural/drama series on CBS, filmed on location in New York City. The show premiered on September 24, 2010, with episodes airing on Fridays at 10:00 pm Eastern and Pacific/9:00 PM Central and Mountain....
.
Esposito will appear in the 2011 film Killer in the Family, alongside Holly Marie Combs
Holly Marie Combs
Holly Marie Combs is an American film and television actress and producer whose roles have included a portrayal in Charmed as Piper Halliwell and another in Picket Fences, where she received a Young Artist Award for her role, as Kimberly Brock...
and James Denton
James Denton
James "Jamie" Thomas Denton, Jr. is an American film and television actor, best known for playing Mike Delfino in the television series Desperate Housewives.-Early life:...
.
Personal life
Esposito dated Benjamin BrattBenjamin Bratt
Benjamin Bratt is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the TV series Law & Order; and his appearances in the movies Blood in Blood Out, Miss Congeniality, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Traffic, and Piñero.-Early life:Bratt was born in San Francisco, California,...
for eight months between 1996 and 1997. She later married Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper is an American film, theater, and television actor. He is known for his roles in the films The Hangover, The A-Team, and Limitless. In 2011, People magazine named Cooper "Sexiest Man Alive".-Early life:...
on December 30, 2006. However, in April 2007, she filed for divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
. On August 24, 2007 court papers were filed that set a final date of November 10 for the official termination of the couple's marriage.
Esposito was engaged to tennis player Mark Philippoussis
Mark Philippoussis
Mark Anthony Philippoussis is an Australian tennis player. He turned professional in 1994. His father is Greek, while his mother is of Italian ancestry....
but broke it off.
On Late Show with David Letterman on October 26, 2011, she told the host, "I was diagnosed with celiac disease a couple years ago." She said she plans to open a gluten-free bakery.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Jeannie | TV movie | |
| 1995 | Connie Soleito | TV series | |
| 1996 | Law & Order Law & Order Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,... |
Gina Tucci | Episode: "Good Girl" |
| 1997 | Donna Delgrosso | ||
| 1997 | Feds Feds (TV series) Feds was a short-lived television series that aired on CBS from March 5, 1997 to April 9, 1997. It was created by Dick Wolf, the creator of Law & Order, and starred Blair Brown and Dylan Baker. Michael S. Chernuchin was also an executive producer for the project... |
Flo | Episode: "Crash and Burn" |
| 1997 | Prince Street | Episode: "Drugs, Lies and Videotape" | |
| 1997 | Lucy | ||
| 1997 | Kiss Me, Guido Kiss Me, Guido Kiss Me, Guido is a 1997 independent film comedy. Written and directed by Tony Vitale, it stars Nick Scotti, Anthony Barrile, Anthony DeSando and Craig Chester.-Synopsis:... |
Debbie | |
| 1997–1999 | Spin City Spin City Spin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on the ABC network. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike... |
Stacey Paterno | 33 episodes |
| 1998 | No Looking Back No Looking Back No Looking Back is a 1998 American drama-genre film directed, written, produced, and starring Edward Burns. The film centers on the relationship of Charlie and Claudia . The film had a limited theatrical release and grossed less than $250,000 domestically.-Plot:Claudia is a waitress in a seaside... |
Teresa | |
| 1998 | He Got Game He Got Game He Got Game is a 1998 American sports-drama film written and directed by Spike Lee. It stars Denzel Washington as Jake Shuttlesworth, a prison inmate convicted for killing his wife... |
Ms. Janus | |
| 1998 | New York Undercover New York Undercover New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to... |
Gina Stone | 3 episodes |
| 1998 | Side Streets Side Streets Side Streets is a 1998 Merchant Ivory film directed by Tony Gerber.Ensemble cast included Valeria Golino, Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Miho Nikaido, Art Malik, Victor Argo, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Esposito.-Cast:*Valeria Golino - Sylvie Otti... |
Jessica | |
| 1998 | I Still Know What You Did Last Summer I Still Know What You Did Last Summer I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is a 1998 slasher film and sequel to the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer. The screenplay was written by Trey Callaway, based on characters originally created in a popular novel by Lois Duncan. Callaway's script was published in an edited "young adult"... |
Nancy | |
| 1999 | Summer of Sam Summer of Sam Summer of Sam is a 1999 crime-drama based around the Son of Sam serial murders. It was directed and produced by Spike Lee.-Plot:Summer of Sam is the story of a group of people in New York City in the summer of 1977, a time when the headlines were dominated by the Son of Sam serial killer... |
Ruby | |
| 1999 | Just One Time Just One Time Just One Time is the sixteenth studio album by American country music artist, Connie Smith. The album was released in June 1971 on RCA Victor Records and was produced by Bob Ferguson... |
Michelle | |
| 1999 | Daphne | ||
| 2000 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced... |
Sara Logan | Episode: "Remorse" |
| 2000 | Dracula 2000 Dracula 2000 Dracula 2000, also known internationally as Dracula 2001, is a 2000 horror film written and directed by Patrick Lussier. The film stars Gerard Butler, Christopher Plummer, Jonny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Omar Epps, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Jeri Ryan, and Jennifer Esposito.Dracula 2000, the... |
Solina | |
| 2001 | Backflash | Olivia Dee 'Harley' Klintucker | Video |
| 2001 | Susan Reese | ||
| 2001 | Made Made (2001 film) Made is a 2001 film written and directed by Jon Favreau. It stars Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Peter Falk, and Sean Combs.-Plot:Bobby has ties to the local mafia boss, Max, but works as an honest mason for Max's construction projects. He fights in amateur boxing matches on the side, but his career is... |
Club Girl (uncredited) | |
| 2001 | Don't Say a Word Don't Say a Word Don't Say a Word is a 2001 psychological thriller film starring Michael Douglas, Brittany Murphy and Sean Bean based on the novel of the same title by Andrew Klavan... |
Det. Sandra Cassidy | |
| 2001 | Beyond the City Limits | Helena Toretti | |
| 2002 | Jennifer Baker | ||
| 2002 | Welcome to Collinwood Welcome to Collinwood Welcome to Collinwood is a 2002 American crime comedy film about five small-time criminals, from the Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, who try to organize one last big job... |
Carmela | |
| 2002 | Hack | Abby | Episode: "Obsession" |
| 2003 | Partners and Crime | TV movie | |
| 2004 | Breakin' All the Rules Breakin' All the Rules Breakin' All the Rules is a 2004 American comedy film. It was directed and written by Daniel Taplitz.-Plot:Quincy Watson is unceremoniously dumped by his fiancée, and pens a "how to" book on breaking up and becomes a best-selling author on the subject. Not wanting his male friends to suffer the... |
Rita Monroe | |
| 2004 | Crash Crash (2004 film) Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video... |
Ria | |
| 2004 | Taxi Taxi (2004 film) Taxi is a 2004 American remake of the 1998 Luc Besson-penned, Gérard Pirès-directed French film of the same name, starring Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon and Gisele Bündchen, and directed by Tim Story.-Plot:... |
Lt. Marta Robbins | |
| 2004–2005 | Judging Amy Judging Amy Judging Amy is an American television drama that was telecast from September 19, 1999, through May 3, 2005, on CBS-TV. This TV series starred Amy Brenneman and Tyne Daly... |
Louann 'Crystal' Turner | 8 episodes |
| 2005 | Snow Wonder | Pilar | TV movie |
| 2005–2006 | Related | Ginnie Sorelli | 19 episodes |
| 2006 | More, Patience | Patience More | TV movie |
| 2006 | Jesus, Mary and Joey | Frankie Vitello | |
| 2006 | Law & Order Law & Order Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,... |
Justine Bailey | Episode: "In Vino Veritas In Vino Veritas (Law & Order episode) -Plot summary:A drunken has-been actor, Mitch Caroll, is pulled over and discovered to be covered in blood. During interrogation he rants against Jews and soon becomes a suspect in a Jewish producer's murder... " |
| 2007 | Rescue Me Rescue Me (TV series) Rescue Me is an American television drama series that premiered on the FX Network on July 21, 2004, and concluded on September 7, 2011. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictitious Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse.The show... |
Nona | 5 episodes |
| 2007–2009 | Samantha Who? Samantha Who? Samantha Who? is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007 to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Don Todd, who also served as producers... |
Andrea Belladonna | 35 episodes |
| 2008 | Conspiracy Conspiracy (2008 film) Conspiracy is a 2008 action/drama film released as direct-to-video on March 18, 2008. The film is influenced by the classic western film noir thriller Bad Day at Black Rock , which itself was an adaptation of a short story "Bad Time at Honda" by Howard Breslin.While Bad Day at Black Rock tells the... |
Joanna | |
| 2008 | American Crude | Carlos | |
| 2009 | Four Single Fathers | Suzanne | |
| 2009 | TV series | ||
| 2010 | Sarah | TV movie | |
| 2010 | Mercy Mercy (TV series) Mercy is a medical drama which aired on NBC from September 23, 2009 to May 12, 2010. The series initially aired on Wednesday nights at 8/7c, as part of the 2009 fall season, but was pushed back to 9/8c in April.... |
Jules Fattore | Episode: "Too Much Attitude and Not Enough Underwear" Episode: "That Crazy Bitch Was Right" |
| 2010–present | Blue Bloods Blue Bloods (TV series) Blue Bloods is an American police procedural/drama series on CBS, filmed on location in New York City. The show premiered on September 24, 2010, with episodes airing on Fridays at 10:00 pm Eastern and Pacific/9:00 PM Central and Mountain.... |
Jackie Curatola | Series Regular |
| 2011-present | The Looney Tunes Show The Looney Tunes Show The Looney Tunes Show is a packaged show, created for Cartoon Network, and broadcast from 2002 to 2005. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The show featured cartoon shorts from the original Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon series produced from 1930 to 1969.-External links:... |
Tina Russo Duck (voice) | |
| 2012 | Bending the Rules | Olivia Garcia | Post-Production |