Laura Innes Biography

Fast Facts

• Supports the Performers with Disabilities Committee and serves as an advocate for those living with disabilities, often helping them find employment when she is a director
• Her father often took her family to the Stratford Festival of Canada in Stratford, Ontario, and this introduction to professional theater, along with his encouragement to do whatever she felt passionate about, inspired her to become an actress
• Her 12-season-long role as the temperamental Dr․ Kerry Weaver on "ER" made her the longest-serving cast member on the series
• In her early career, she traveled across the country as a stage actress, but eventually decided to settle down in Las Angeles to focus on television
• Came up with the idea that her character on ER should use a cuff crutch instead of a typical cane because she felt that, as a doctor concerned with sterility, the character would prefer not to constantly grab a cane with her hand
• Became the first female celebrity "Jeopardy!" champion
• Was ranked sixth in People Online's "10 Most Beautiful People" list in 2001