Camryn Manheim, born Debra Frances Manheim on March 8, 1961, in West Caldwell, New Jersey, is an acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances across television, film, and stage. She was raised in a Jewish family, with her father, Jerome Manheim, being a mathematics professor, and her mother, Sylvia, a schoolteacher.

Her interest in acting began during her high school years in Long Beach, California, after working at a Renaissance faire. She later pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Her breakthrough came in 1994 with her one-woman show, "Wake Up, I'm Fat!," which she later adapted into a book. Her role as defense attorney Ellenor Frutt in the ABC legal drama "The Practice" (1997-2004) earned her critical acclaim and several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

This defining role showcased her ability to navigate complex characters and cemented her place in the industry.

Camryn Manheim has appeared in numerous films such as "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997), "Happiness" (1998), "What Planet Are You From?" (2000), "Scary Movie 3" (2003), "Twisted" (2004), "Dark Water" (2005), and "An Unfinished Life" (2005). Her versatility as an actress is evident in her diverse filmography, ranging from comedy to drama.

Her television roles extend beyond "The Practice." She portrayed Delia Banks in "Ghost Whisperer" (2006-2010), and Control in "Person of Interest" (2013-2015), Lieutenant Cosgrove in "Stumptown" (2019-2020), and Kate Dixon in the revival of "Law & Order" (2022-2024).

In her personal life, Camryn Manheim has a son, Milo Manheim, born in 2001. Milo, following in his mother’s footsteps, has ventured into acting and appeared in the Disney Channel movie "Zombies" (2018) and its sequels.