Jennifer Carpenter

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Jennifer Carpenter
Jennifer Carpenter (9345292219) (cropped).jpg
Carpenter in 2013
Born (1979-12-07) December 7, 1979 (age 45) [1]
Education Juilliard School (BFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1998–present
Spouses
(m. 2008;div. 2011)
(m. 2016)
Children1

Jennifer Carpenter (born December 7, 1979) is an American actress. Her early film roles include the cult comedy White Chicks (2004) and the supernatural horror The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), with the latter establishing her as a scream queen. She rose to prominence for playing Debra Morgan in the crime drama series Dexter (2006–2013), which she reprised in the miniseries Dexter: New Blood (2021–2022). Her accolades include an MTV Movie Award and a Saturn Award, and nominations for a Critics' Choice Television Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Contents

Carpenter's television roles beyond Dexter include the comedy drama series Limitless (2015–2016) and the drama series The Enemy Within (2019). Her film roles include the found footage horror film Quarantine (2008) and Sonya Blade in the direct-to-video Mortal Kombat films Scorpion's Revenge (2020) and Battle of the Realms (2021).

Early life and education

Carpenter was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Catherine (née Mitchell) and Robert Carpenter. [2] She attended St. Raphael the Archangel and then Sacred Heart Academy. She trained at the Walden Theatre Conservatory program, [3] and later at New York City's Juilliard School (Drama Division Group 31: 1998–2002). [4]

Before graduation, she was cast in the 2002 Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible . [5]

Career

Carpenter received recognition for her role in Keenen Ivory Wayans' comedy White Chicks , released in 2004. While the film was initially panned by critics, it was a commercial success and garnered a cult following. [6] David Rooney of Variety called her appealing and sophisticated. [7]

Carpenter first attracted critical attention for her performance in The Exorcism of Emily Rose . She was cast in the film at the suggestion of co-star Laura Linney, who previously worked with Carpenter in a play. [8] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called her performance "grueling" and Paul Arendt of BBC believed the film was effective "thanks to a committed performance from Jennifer Carpenter". [9] [10] She took home the 2006 MTV Movie Award for Best Scared-As-Shit Performance and won Breakout Performer at the 2006 Scream Awards. [11] [12]

(L-R): John Lithgow, Jennifer Carpenter, Julie Benz and Michael C. Hall at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2009 John Lithgow, Jennifer Carpenter, Julie Benz, Michael C. Hall (3751468440).jpg
(L-R): John Lithgow, Jennifer Carpenter, Julie Benz and Michael C. Hall at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2009

Carpenter played the role of Debra Morgan in the Showtime crime drama television series Dexter , which premiered October 1, 2006. Her portrayal of the title character's adoptive sister impressed a number of critics, with Australian journalist Jack Marx describing her portrayal of "cool and clumsy" Debra as "so perfect that many viewers appear to have mistaken the character's flaws for the actor's". [13] For Dexter, she received numerous accolades in Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories, winning a Saturn Award from eight consecutive nominations, and earning nominations for a Critics' Choice Television Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In 2008, Carpenter starred in Quarantine , an American remake of the 2007 Spanish horror film Rec , about a deadly zombie virus outbreak in an apartment complex. It received mixed reviews from critics but was a moderate commercial success. [14] Staff at Bloody Disgusting wrote, "if Quarantine is remembered for anything it will be remembered for another gut-wrenching, physically draining performance from Jennifer Carpenter." [15]

In 2011, she starred in the off-Broadway play Gruesome Playground Injuries at Second Stage Theatre [16] and had a guest appearance on the CBS drama The Good Wife . [17]

In January 2014, it was announced that Carpenter would star in a new ABC drama Sea of Fire, playing FBI agent Leah Pierce. [18] However, the show was not picked up as a series. In August 2014, it was announced that she would provide the voice of Juli Kidman in the survival horror video game The Evil Within , marking her first video game appearance. [19] The game was released in October 2014, and Carpenter provided voicework for two of The Evil Within's DLC chapters, "The Assignment" and "The Consequence", which featured Juli Kidman as the playable protagonist. However, Carpenter did not reprise the role in the game's sequel, The Evil Within 2 , and her character was recast.

In early 2015, Carpenter was cast in the CBS drama series Limitless . [20] [21]

On July 13, 2021, Showtime confirmed that Carpenter would reprise her role of Debra Morgan in a 10-episode limited series, Dexter: New Blood , with Clyde Phillips returning as showrunner. The series premiered on November 7, 2021. [22] [23]

In 2025, Carpenter played the recurring role of Mamie Fossett in the Western drama series 1923 , a prequel to Yellowstone . She told The Hollywood Reporter that it was a role she wanted "like I haven't wanted anything in a very long time". [24]

Personal life

In 2007, she began dating her Dexter co-star Michael C. Hall. [25] They eloped on New Year's Eve 2008 in California and publicly appeared together for the first time as a married couple at the 66th Golden Globe Awards in January 2009. [25] In December 2010, Hall and Carpenter released a statement announcing that they had filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, after having been separated "for some time". [26] The divorce was finalized in December 2011; [27] the two remain very close friends. [28] [29]

On February 10, 2015, it was announced that Carpenter and musician Seth Avett were engaged and expecting their first child. Later that year, Carpenter gave birth to a son. She had been eight-and-a-half months pregnant when shooting the pilot episode of Limitless . [30] [31] Carpenter and Avett married in May 2016.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001People Are DeadAngela's friend #2
2003 Ash Tuesday Samantha
2004 D.E.B.S. Hysterical student
2004 White Chicks Lisa Anderson
2005Last Days of AmericaFriend in New York #2
2005Lethal EvictionSarah/Tessa/BethAlso known as Grayson Arms
2005 The Exorcism of Emily Rose Emily Rose
2006 The Dog Problem Redheaded waitress
2007 Battle in Seattle Sam
2008 Quarantine Angela Vidal
2010 Faster Nan Porterman
2011 Seeking Justice Trudy
2012 Gone Sharon Ames
2012 The Factory Kelsey Walker
2012 Ex-Girlfriends KateExecutive producer
2014 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow (voice)English version [32] [33]
2014 The Devil's Hand Rebekah
2015 Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery Chikara (voice)Direct-to-video [33]
2017 Brawl in Cell Block 99 Lauren Thomas
2018 Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Selina Kyle (voice)Direct-to-video
2018 Dragged Across Concrete Kelly Summer
2020 Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge Sonya Blade (voice)Direct-to-video [34] [33]
2021 Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms Sonya Blade (voice)Direct-to-video [35] [33]
2021 A Mouthful of Air Lucy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Queen BKristenTelevision film
2006–2013 Dexter Debra Morgan 96 episodes
2009 Dexter: Early Cuts Debra Morgan2 episodes
2011 The Good Wife Pamela RakerEpisode: "Parenting Made Easy"
2011–2013 Pound Puppies Pepper (voice)5 episodes [33]
2014 Robot Chicken VoicesEpisode: "Victoria's Secret of NIMH"
2015–2016 Limitless Rebecca HarrisMain role
2019 The Enemy Within Erica ShepherdMain role
2021–2022 Dexter: New Blood Debra Morgan Miniseries; main role
2025 1923 Mamie FossettRecurring role

Video games

Awards and nominations

Carpenter's awards include nominations for a Critics' Choice Television Award [36] and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. [37] [38] [39] [40]

References

  1. "Jennifer Carpenter Biography". Tribute.ca .
  2. "Jennifer Carpenter: Biography". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  3. "Walden Theatre". Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  4. "Alumni News". Juilliard School. March 2010. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  5. Wilson, Gemma (January 28, 2011). "What's Up, Jennifer Carpenter? The Gruesome Playground Injuries Star on Not Having a Backup Plan". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  6. "White Chicks". Box Office Mojo . Archived from the original on December 23, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  7. Rooney, David (June 22, 2004). "White Chicks". Variety . Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  8. "Story Notes for The Exorcism of Emily Rose". AMC.com. AMC Networks. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  9. Ebert, Roger (September 8, 2005). "The Exorcism of Emily Rose Movie Review (2005)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  10. Arendt, Paul (November 24, 2005). "BBC - Movies - review - The Exorcism of Emily Rose". BBC. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  11. Marcus, Lawrence (April 25, 2006). "MTV taps reel noms". Variety. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  12. "Breaking News - Get Yer Scream On! Categories and Nominees Announced for Spike TV's Scream Awards 2006". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  13. Marx, Jack (July 4, 2008). "Something About Dexter". News.com.au. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  14. "Quarantine". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  15. Bloody Disgusting Staff (October 13, 2008). "Quarantine (REC Remake)". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  16. Wilson, Gemma (January 28, 2011). "What's up, Jennifer Carpenter? The Gruesome Playground Injuries actress on not having a backup plan". Broadway.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  17. Rudolph, Ileane (November 15, 2011). "First look: Jennifer Carpenter on The Good Wife". TV Guide. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  18. Goldberg, Lesley. "Dexter's Jennifer Carpenter to Star in ABC's Sea of Fire". The Hollywood Reporter .
  19. "The Evil Within's voice cast features Dexter and Watchmen stars". Polygon.com. Polygon. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  20. Andreeva, Nellie (March 12, 2015). "Jennifer Carpenter To Co-Star In CBS Pilot Limitless". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  21. Ausiello, Michael (June 9, 2015). "CBS Premiere Dates For Fall 2015: Supergirl Launches after Big Bang". TVLine.
  22. Andreeva, Nellie (July 13, 2021). "Dexter: Jennifer Carpenter Returns For Revival On Showtime". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  23. Turchiano, Danielle (July 25, 2021). "Dexter Revival Series Unveils First Look Trailer and November Premiere Date". Variety . Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  24. Strause, Jackie (March 2, 2025). "Jennifer Carpenter Makes Her '1923' Debut as Trailblazing U.S. Marshal". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  25. 1 2 Dos Santos, Kristin (January 9, 2009). "Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter Are Married". E! Online . Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  26. Snierson, Dan (December 13, 2010). "Dexter stars Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter file for divorce (EW exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  27. "Jennifer Carpenter Cries Over Michael C. Hall Divorce at Dexter Event". Us Weekly. September 13, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  28. "Michael C. Hall Divorce Finalized: Who is Dexter Star Dating Now?". International Business Times. December 7, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  29. "Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter Divorce 2011: Why Did Dexter Co-stars Split?". EzineMark.
  30. "Seth Avett and Jennifer Carpenter Welcome First Child". People . August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  31. Takeda, Allison (August 10, 2015). "Jennifer Carpenter Welcomes First Child With Fiance Seth Avett". Us Weekly . Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  32. Wheatley, Cliff (March 14, 2014). "Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher Review". IGN.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jennifer Carpenter (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 14, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  34. Couch, Aaron (January 17, 2020). "Animated Mortal Kombat Movie Sets Cast With Joel McHale, Jennifer Carpenter". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  35. Couch, Aaron (June 16, 2021). "Animated 'Mortal Kombat Legends' Sequel Arriving This Summer (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  36. Nordyke, Kimberly; Wilson Hunt, Stacey (June 10, 2013). "Critics' Choice Television Awards: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  37. O'Neil, Tom (December 18, 2008). "SAG Awards nominations embrace Brangelina, snub Leo". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  38. "Nominations announced for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild. December 17, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  39. Nordyke, Kimberly (December 13, 2010). "Rosario Dawson, Angie Harmon to Announce SAG Award Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  40. Finke, Nikki (December 14, 2011). "SAG Awards Nominations: Ensemble Casts 'The Artist', 'Bridesmaids', 'The Help', 'The Descendants', 'Midnight In Paris'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 30, 2018.