Jennifer Esposito

Biography:

Jennifer Esposito (born April 11, 1973) is an American actress recognized for her performances in films such as Summer of Sam (1999), Don’t Say a Word (2001), The Master of Disguise (2002), Welcome to Collinwood (2002), Crash (2004), Taxi (2004), and Mob Town (2019). She has also been a prominent figure in television, starring in Spin City, Related, Samantha Who?, Blue Bloods, Mistresses, NCIS, and The Boys.

Esposito began her television career with an appearance on Law & Order (1996) and later gained recognition on Spin City. She played notable roles in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and portrayed Ruby in Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam (1999). She later starred in films like Dracula 2000, The Master of Disguise, and Crash—where she played Don Cheadle’s on-screen partner, Ria.

On television, she had leading roles in Related and Samantha Who?, and played Detective Jackie Curatola on Blue Bloods. Due to health issues related to celiac disease, she exited Blue Bloods in 2012. She later appeared in Mistresses, portrayed Special Agent Alexandra Quinn in NCIS (2016–2017), and played CIA Deputy Director Susan Raynor in The Boys (2019–2020).

In 2023, Esposito made her debut as a writer and director with Fresh Kills, a crime drama in which she also starred.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, Esposito is of Italian descent. She has been married several times, including a short-lived marriage to Bradley Cooper (2006–2007), and wed Jesper Vesterstrøm in 2020.

After being diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011, she became an advocate for gluten-free living, launching Jennifer’s Way Bakery to provide safe food options for people with the condition. She also published Jennifer’s Way, a memoir about her experiences with the disease, which became a New York Times bestseller.

Beyond acting, Esposito has been actively involved in raising awareness for celiac disease. She also served as a brand ambassador for Éclair Naturals, a company specializing in gluten-free and GMO-free skincare products.