Carolyn Hennesy (born June 10, 1962[1]) is an American actress, writer, and animal advocate. Hennesy's early work consisted of guest appearances and roles in shows and television movies, including Dark Justice and in Deadly Invasion: The Killer Bee Nightmare. She rose to prominence when she was cast in a recurring role in Dawson's Creek. She followed this with a series of guest appearances until she gained international acclaim after landing the role of Diane Miller on the daytime television series General Hospital, for which she earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations. Following this, she was cast in more recurring roles in shows such as Cougar Town, Revenge, and Jessie. She also received much credibility for her role in The Bay, for which she won her first Daytime Emmy Award.

Carolyn Hennesy
Hennesy at the 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards
Born (1962-06-10) June 10, 1962 (age 62)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • writer
  • marine park and zoo advocate
Years active1992–present
Spouse
Donald Agnelli
(m. 2007; div. 2013)
PartnerNathan Carlson (1994–2000)
FatherDale Hennesy
RelativesBarbara Rush (aunt)
Claudia Cowan (cousin)
Websitecarolynhennesy.com

Hennesy has also taken up writing, including with the 2011 novel The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli, featuring characters from General Hospital, which reached #16 on the New York Times Best Seller list. She is also known for her work as an advocate for animals, notable for her work promoting AZA zoos and aquariums, as well as promoting accredited marine parks like SeaWorld.

Early life and education

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Hennesy was born on June 10, 1962, in Encino, California.[1] She is the daughter of production designer and art director Dale Hennesy,[2] who won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage.[3] She attended the American Conservatory Theater.[citation needed]

Career

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Hennesy starred as Mrs. Valentine on the teen drama Dawson's Creek in the 2000–2001 season, and she had supporting roles in the films Global Effect (2002), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (2003), The Heat Chamber (2005), Click (2006), and Cougar Club (2007). She made three appearances on That '70s Show and has guest-starred on Reba as the mother of Reba's son-in-law, Van. She made a guest appearance on Drake & Josh as Mrs. Abernathy, the boss of the Ball & Vance Fish Corp. Additionally, she appeared as Judith Haven in an episode of What I Like About You. She starred as Rosalyn Harris in the fifth season of HBO hit series True Blood. In 2016, she joined the cast of the Netflix production Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Since 2006, Hennessy has played Diane Miller on the daytime soap opera General Hospital. She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for the role in 2010.[4] Hennesy wrote the 2011 novel The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli featuring characters from General Hospital.[5] The novel reached #16 on the New York Times Best Seller list.[6] In October 2011, Hennesy appeared on Jessie as Mrs. Chesterfield, a role she would reprise through the series' entire four-year run, and in November 2011 as Myrna in the "That Still Small Voice" episode of Once Upon a Time. She also guest starred in Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures.

Hennesy has written a series of children's books based on the character Pandora. The first one, called Pandora Gets Jealous, was released January 2008. The sequel, Pandora Gets Vain, was released August 2008. The third book in the series, Pandora Gets Lazy, released March 2009. Book four, Pandora Gets Heart, was released in January 2010. The fifth book, Pandora Gets Angry, was released in February 2011. Book six, Pandora Gets Greedy, was released in June 2012. Book seven, Pandora Gets Frightened, was released in 2013.

In 2016, Hennesy appeared in the soap opera web series The Bay as Karen Blackwell. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for the role.[7] Also in 2016, Hennesy was named an American Humane Association celebrity ambassador and spoke before a congressional committee on the organization's new humane conservation initiative.[8] Hennesy is also the producer and host of Animal Magnetism, a radio program featuring wildlife and domestic animal professionals. The program focuses on welfare and conservation issues and examines both the human-animal bond and the global increase in human-wildlife conflict resulting from human over-population growth and climate change.[9]

Personal life

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Hennesy is the niece of actress Barbara Rush and cousin of Fox News reporter Claudia Cowan.[10] She lives in Los Angeles. In 2007, Hennesy married Donald Agnelli.[1][11] They divorced in 2013.[1][11] She is a trapeze artist, a skill she demonstrated during a 2015 episode of Jessie.[1] She has two brothers; one of whom, Scott Hennesy, works at Disney as an imagineer.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore Bowling Alley Waitress credited as Carolyn Henessey
1993 Lightning in a Bottle Marsha Timmons
2001 Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation Rose Voice role (English version)
2001 The Elite Elaine
2002 Global Effect Meredith Tripp
2002 Engaging Peter Vivian
2003 Wave Babes Maureen Direct-to-video film
2003 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Rich Woman
2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Congresswoman with Haircut
2004 The Second Degree Chrissy Le Matin
2005 Appleseed Athena Aerios Voice role; credited as Lee West[citation needed]
2005 The Heat Chamber Lila
2006 Outta Sync Phaedra Lee
2006 Bambi II Bambi's Mother Voice role; direct-to-video film
2006 Click Kathy O'Doyle
2006 Conversations with God Sharon Parker
2007 Sublime Cheryl Direct-to-video film
2007 Cougar Club Judge Margaret Emerson
2007 Believers Lina Vance Direct-to-video film
2008 Shattered! Adrienne
2008 Necessary Evil Carole Fielding
2009 Scream of the Bikini Ronda Voice role
2014 Platinum the Dance Movie Mary
2015 Hybrids Aradia
2015 Mothers of the Bride Kelly Court
2015 You're Killing Me Candice
2015 A Kind of Magic Maggie
2016 Courting Des Moines Gov. Joanna Sampson
2016 The Holy Man Betty Rodriguez
2016 Better Criminal Police Chief Ackerman
2018 St. Agatha Mother
2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Domine Lithe
2020 Fatal Affair Janice
TBA The Swing of Things Mama McGursky Post-production[12]

Television

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Year Series Role Notes
1993 Dark Justice Jill Episode: "Pygmalion"
1995 Deadly Invasion: The Killer Bee Nightmare USDA Representative Television film
1995 Grace Under Fire Gloria Episode: "Jimmy Goes Away"
1995 Night Stand with Dick Dietrick Layla Episode: "The Fame Show"
1996 Night Stand with Dick Dietrick Amanda Episode: "Sexaholics"
1997 Wings Flight Attendant Episode: "Just Call Me Angel"
1997 Party of Five Alice Episode: "Leap of Faith"
1997 The Naked Truth Flight Attendant Episode: "We Almost Had Paris"
1997–1998 Jenny Chase Gardner Recurring role
1998 Encore! Encore! Barbara Episode: "The Diary"
1999 That '70s Show Sharon Singer 2 episodes
1999 It's Like, You Know... Cathy Episode: "Pilot"
1999 Thanks Henrietta Randolph Episode: "Tobacco"
1999 The Big O Vera Ronstadt Contract role: Season 2 only
2000 Moesha Dr. Miller Episode: "He Doth Protest Too Much"
2000–2001 Dawson's Creek Mrs. Valentine Recurring role
2001 Strip Mall Caroline Cantwell Episode: "Barry Boinks Caroline"
2001 Reba Mrs. Montgomery Episode: "Tea and Antipathy"
2002 Any Day Now Phyllis Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys"
2002 The Young and the Restless Penelope Quinlan Episode #7351
2002 Judging Amy Louise Rodericks Episode: "Come Back Soon"
2002 Bram & Alice Patricia Episode: "Goody Two Shoes"
2002 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Kago's Mother (voice: English version) Episode: "Testation"
2003 Android Kidaider Chigusa Sakamoto (voice: English version) Unknown episodes
2003 Half & Half Mrs. Scranton Episode: "The Big Sexy Shame Episode"
2003 Recipe for Disaster Mrs. Devries Television film
2003 What I Like About You Dr. Judith 'Judy' Haven Episode: "When Holly Met Tina"
2004 Significant Others Realtor Episode: "The Right House, the Wrong Gender & a Turn"
2004 That '70s Show Patty Ryals Episode: "Winter"
2005 Barbershop Mrs. Kane Episode: "Debates and Dead People"
2006 Girlfriends Melora Stewart Episode: "The Music in Me"
2006 Commander in Chief TV Interviewer Episode: "Wind Beneath My Wing"
2006 Drake & Josh Mrs. Abernathy Episode: "I Love Sushi"
2006–present General Hospital Diane Miller Recurring role, 419 episodes
2007 General Hospital: Night Shift Diane Miller Episode: "Falling Star"
2008 Little Miss CEO Ms. Rivers Television film
2009 Penny Dreadfuls Carolyn Episode: "Feeding"
2009–2012 Cougar Town Barb Recurring role
2009 Penny Dreadfuls Dorothy Episode: "All Tomorrow's Parties"
2010 Everyone Counts Sheila 2 episodes
2010 Better People Ivy Television film
2011 Everyone Counts Sheila 2 episodes
2011 Shameless Mrs. Neidereiter Episode: "But at Last Came a Knock"
2011 Once Upon a Time Myrna Episode: "That Still Small Voice"
2011–2015 Jessie Mrs. Rhoda Chesterfield Recurring role
2012 Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures R.J. Caldwell Episode: "Epic Cuffs"
2012 True Blood Rosalyn Recurring role (season 5)
2013 The Middle Connie McDonald Episode: "Winners and Losers"
2014 Devious Maids Mrs. Parker Episode: "You Can't Take It With You"
2014 Revenge Mrs Ellis Recurring role
2016 Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Toni 2 episodes
2016 The Bay Karen Blackwell Web series
2017 Future Man Wanda Episode: "A Blowjob Before Dying"
2018 Champions Grandma Gayle Episode: "Grandma Dearest"
2018 Lego Star Wars: All-Stars General Leia Organa (voice) 3 episodes
2018 Star Wars Resistance General Leia Organa (voice) Episode: "Station Theta Black"
2018 He Knows Your Every Move Caitlin Television film
2019 Adam Ruins Everything Miranda Episode: "Adam Ruins Little Bugs"
2022 Big Nate Mrs. Godfrey (voice) Main role
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Liza on Demand Cora Reeves Episode "What Up, Fam"

Video games

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Year Game Role Notes
2000 Jump Start 1st Grade Ms. Nobel Credited as Carolyn Hennessy
2000 Casper: Friends Around the World Casper the Friendly Ghost
2001 Star Trek: Away Team Aloram Vas (voice) Credited as Carolyn Hennessy
2001 Casper: Spirit Dimensions Casper the Friendly Ghost (voice)
2002 Star Trek: Bridge Commander Captain Eina Zeiss/Captain Elizabeth Haley/Captain Torenn (voice) Credited as Carolyn Hennesey
2002 .hack//Infection Gardenia (voice: English version) [13]
2002 .hack//Mutation Gardenia (voice: English version) [13]
2002 .hack//Outbreak Gardenia (voice: English version) [13]
2002 .hack//Outbreak Gardenia (voice: English version) [13]
2006 Suikoden V Arshtat (voice: English version)
2007 Golden Axe: Beast Rider (voice) [14]
2007 Ghost Rider Lilith (voice)
2009 World in Conflict: Soviet Assault (voice)
2010 Metro 2033 (voice)
2016 The Technomancer Angela Seeker, Additional Voices
2017 Star Trek: Bridge Crew Lieutenant T'Nar, Additional Voices (voice)
2018 Blade Runner: Revelations Lilith Tyrell, Background Voices (voice)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Result Category Series Ref.
2000 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Won Outstanding Comedic Actress Career [15]
2004 Ovation Award Won Featured Actress in a Play "The Fan Maroo"
2007 TV Guide's "Best of 2007" Awards Won Best Supporting Actress General Hospital [16]
2009 Canadian Spirit Award Won General Hospital
2010 Daytime Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital [4]
2017 Daytime Emmy Award Won Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series The Bay [7]
2017 Indie Series Award Won Best Guest Actress — Drama The Bay [17]
2021 Daytime Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital [18]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Top 10 Facts About General Hospital's Carolyn Hennesy". Soap Shows. United States. Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  2. ^ Rollins, Scott (August 23, 2015). "The Art of Dale Hennesy: Masterful Production Designer/Art Director of FANTASTIC VOYAGE, LOGAN'S RUN, DIRTY HARRY, ANNIE, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN & More". Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  3. ^ "The 39th Academy Awards (1967) Nominees and Winners". Oscars.org. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Daytime Emmys Nominees 2010". National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 13, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 16, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Fiction Review: The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli by Diane Miller". Publishers Weekly. March 28, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  6. ^ "Best Sellers – The New York Times". The New York Times. April 24, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  8. ^ "Board Member & Celebrity Advisory Committee Chair – Carolyn Hennesy". Archived from the original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  9. ^ "Animal Magnetism". ubnradio.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ "Carolyn Hennesy Bio". Soap Opera Digest. United States. American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Carolyn Hennesy – Flying High". About General Hospital. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  12. ^ "Carolyn Hennesy Filming 'The Swing of Things' in Jamaica". soaps.sheknows.com. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d "Carolyn Hennesy (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 11, 2021. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  14. ^ Secret Level. Golden Axe: Beast Rider. Sega. Scene: Ending credits, 4:30:00 in, VOICE TALENT.
  15. ^ "Bio". Carolyn Hennesy. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  16. ^ Newcomb, Roger (December 31, 2007). "ABC Press Release: Ratings For Week of December 17–21". We Love Soaps. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  17. ^ "8th Annual Indie Series Awards Winners". Indie Series Awards. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  18. ^ Hipes, Patrick (June 8, 2021). "Daytime Emmy Awards Sets Host; Nominees Include Alex Trebek, Larry King – Update".
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