Amy Brenneman

Amy Frederica Brenneman, born on June 22, 1964, is a renowned American actress and producer. She came to prominence with her role as Detective Janice Licalsi in the ABC police drama series NYPD Blue (1993–1994). Brenneman further co-created and starred as Judge Amy Gray in the CBS drama series Judging Amy (1999–2005), receiving five Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Her other prominent roles include Violet Turner in the Shonda Rhimes medical drama series Private Practice (2007–2013), and Laurie Garvey on the HBO drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017). Additionally, she's known for her recurring role as Faye Moskowitz on Frasier and starred in various films like Heat (1995) and The Jane Austen Book Club (2007).

She was born in New London, Connecticut, and had her first exposure to theatre as a teenager. After graduating from Harvard in comparative religion, Brenneman co-founded Cornerstone Theatre Company. She began her career in the CBS series Middle Ages in 1992. After NYPD Blue, she ventured into films like Bye Bye Love, Casper, and crime drama Heat. In 1996, Brenneman played the female lead opposite Sylvester Stallone in the disaster thriller Daylight. In 1999, she became the creator and executive producer of her series Judging Amy. In 2002, she was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award for her creative works that enhance the perception of women through television. Brenneman has also starred in 88 Minutes alongside Al Pacino and HBO drama series The Leftovers.