Jill Hennessey as Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh

"Jordan is used to living on the edge and not censoring herself. She immediately lets people know what's on her mind," says Jill Hennessy, describing the character of medical examiner Jordan Cavanaugh in the NBC series "Crossing Jordan."

Hailing from Edmonton, Canada, Hennessy began her acting career in Toronto, appearing in the feature film "Dead Ringers." She studied improvisational comedy with the famed Second City and also worked with a Toronto-based improv comedy troupe before landing a role in the Broadway-bound production of "The Buddy Holly Story."

Once in New York, Hennessy starred in Ron Howard's feature film "The Paper." Her additional film credits include "I Shot Andy Warhol," "Chutney Popcorn," "Most Wanted," "A Smile Like Yours," "Dead Broke," "Row Your Boat," "The Florentine," "Two Ninas," "Molly," "Autumn in New York" and the box-office hit "Exit Wounds." Hennessy also performed in "The Acting Class," a documentary style depiction of the dark side of the teacher/student relationship, which she also wrote and co-directed. Most recently, she was seen in the Robert Redford/Sundance Lab project, "Love in the Time of Money."

Prior to the success of "Crossing Jordan," television audiences knew Hennessy from the years (1993-96) she spent playing the role of assistant district attorney Claire Kincaid on the Emmy-winning NBC drama series "Law & Order." She returned to NBC by starring as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the miniseries "Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot."

For her work on "Crossing Jordan" in its premiere season, Hennessy received a People's Choice Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series. She has also received a Golden Satellite Award (Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television) from the International Press Academy for her work in the cable movie "Nuremberg."

Hennessy and her husband, Paolo Mastropietro, recently welcomed their first child. The family divides their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Manhattan. Hennessy's birthday is November 25.