Jillian Noel Hennessy, born November 25, 1968, is a Canadian actress and singer-songwriter best known for her roles on Law & Order and Crossing Jordan. She played ADA Claire Kincaid on Law & Order for three seasons and led Crossing Jordan as Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh for six seasons.
In 2007, Canada honored her with a star on the Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Who is Jill Hennessy?
Jill Hennessy is a Canadian actress, singer-songwriter, and guitarist who built her career across American and Canadian television, film, and the stage. Her two longest-running TV roles made her a recognizable face for audiences across North America throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
She released two independent albums as a singer-songwriter and also appeared on Broadway.
Beyond acting, Jill wrote and co-directed the independent film The Acting Class in 2000. Her career spans more than three decades of consistent work in both drama and comedy.
She also trained in improvisational comedy at Toronto’s Second City early in her career, a background that informed her range across dramatic and lighter material throughout the years that followed.
Early Life of Jill Hennessy
Jill Hennessy was born on November 25, 1968, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her father, John Hennessy, worked as a meat salesman and sales and marketing executive, a job that required extensive travel and caused the family to move nine times before Jill turned 18.
Her mother, Maxine, worked as a secretary. She left the family in 1982, prompting Jill’s paternal grandmother, Eleanor, to step in and help raise the children in Kitchener, Ontario.
Jill has an identical twin sister named Jacqueline Hennessy, who became a magazine writer and television host in Canada. She also has a younger brother, John Paul “J.P.” Hennessy Jr.
Growing up in Kitchener, Jill began working as a model in her teens. She later moved to Toronto, where she busked on Queen Street West and in subway stations, playing guitar and singing before breaking into acting.
Jill Hennessy Age
Jill Hennessy is 57 years old as of June 28, 2026, born on November 25, 1968.
Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius. In 2026, she completed a sold-out residency at City Vineyard in New York City, showing her continued activity as a live performer.
Jill Hennessy Ethnicity and Nationality
Jill Hennessy holds Canadian nationality and grew up across multiple Canadian cities before settling in New York. On her father’s side, she has Irish, French, Swedish, and Italian ancestry. On her mother’s side, her background includes Ukrainian Roma and Austrian heritage.
She speaks five languages fluently: English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German. Her multilingual ability reflects the mixed European heritage on both sides of her family.
Jill Hennessy Height and Weight
Jill Hennessy stands at 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall. Her weight is not publicly confirmed.
Known for a slim frame and natural poise on screen, she maintained an active performing career on stage and television through her 50s. She also enjoys riding motorcycles, a shared hobby with her husband.
Jill Hennessy Education
Jill attended Stanley Park Senior Public School and later graduated from Grand River Collegiate Institute, both in Kitchener, Ontario. After moving to Toronto, she trained in improvisational comedy at Second City Toronto, a training ground that shaped many prominent comedic and dramatic performers.
Her formal education combined with hands-on performance experience in Toronto’s music and comedy scenes gave her the tools for a career that moved between serious drama and lighter material.
Jill Hennessy Career
Jill Hennessy made her acting debut in 1988 alongside her twin sister Jacqueline, playing twin escorts in director David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers. The following year she appeared on Broadway in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (1990), playing Maria-Elena Holly.
Before landing her first major television role, she performed with a New York band called The New Originals, playing clubs around the city.
Early Career
In 1993, Jill landed the role of Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid on NBC’s Law & Order, opposite veteran actor Sam Waterston. She played the character for three seasons, appearing in 63 episodes until her departure in 1996.
That same year, she appeared in RoboCop 3 (1993), playing robotics expert Dr. Marie Lazarus. In 1994, she appeared in Ron Howard’s film The Paper alongside Robert Duvall.
She left Law & Order in 1996, citing concerns about typecasting, and spent the years between her two signature series working across film and television.
Projects from that period include Most Wanted (1997), A Smile Like Yours (1997), and Chutney Popcorn (1999), the latter earning strong reviews on the film festival circuit.
Breakthrough and Crossing Jordan
In 2000, Jill wrote, co-directed, and starred in the mockumentary The Acting Class, featuring former Law & Order co-stars and her sister Jacqueline.
That same year, she appeared in the TNT miniseries Nuremberg as Elsie Douglas, opposite Alec Baldwin, Brian Cox, and Christopher Plummer. Her performance earned her a Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
In 2001, she portrayed Jackie Kennedy in the NBC miniseries Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot and received a Satellite Award nomination for the role.
Also in 2001, she launched her longest-running role as Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, the lead character in NBC’s forensic drama Crossing Jordan. The series ran for six seasons, until 2007, and landed in the Nielsen top 20 in its first month of broadcast.
Film and Later Television Work
After Crossing Jordan ended, Jill appeared in the hit comedy Wild Hogs (2007) with John Travolta and Tim Allen, and followed that with Lymelife (2008) opposite Alec Baldwin and Rory Culkin.
She received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame on June 9, 2007.
Later television credits include a regular role on HBO’s Luck with Dustin Hoffman, the international series Jo filmed in Paris with Jean Reno, a recurring role on CBS’s Madam Secretary, appearances on The Good Wife, and a guest role in the pilot of Yellowstone with Kevin Costner.
She also starred in the FOX special event series Shots Fired directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Most recently, she appeared in Showtime’s City on a Hill alongside Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge, executive produced by Tom Fontana and Ben Affleck.
Music Career
As a singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jill recorded her debut album Ghost in My Head during sessions in Austin, Texas. It was released in June 2009.
She performed at the 2010 Lilith Fair alongside Sarah McLachlan, the Indigo Girls, and the Dixie Chicks. She also appeared as a guest on the Indigo Girls’ live album Staring Down the Brilliant Dream.
Her second album, I Do, came out in October 2015. She wrote all the music and lyrics on both albums. In 2026, she completed a sold-out residency at City Vineyard in New York City.
Jill Hennessy Awards and Recognition
Jill Hennessy won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for her work in Nuremberg (2000). She also won the Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Lead in a Drama Series for her work on Crossing Jordan.
She received a nomination for the People’s Choice Award for Crossing Jordan, and the Screen Actors Guild recognized her three consecutive times as part of the Law & Order ensemble cast.
On June 9, 2007, she received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, one of the country’s highest cultural honors for Canadians who have achieved recognition in their field.
Jill Hennessy Husband
Jill Hennessy is married to Paolo Mastropietro, an actor who has appeared in films including Exit Wounds and Cradle 2 the Grave. The couple shares a love of riding motorcycles.
They married on October 1, 2000. The couple renewed their vows on January 11, 2001, at New York City Hall.
Their marriage has remained private and stable over more than two decades.
Jill Hennessy Children
Jill and Paolo have two sons together. Their first son, Marco Mastropietro, was born on September 17, 2003. Their second son, Gianni Mastropietro, was born on November 21, 2007.
The family is based in New York City. Jill has kept her children largely out of public view throughout her career, maintaining a low profile around her family life.
Jill Hennessy Net Worth
Jill Hennessy’s estimated net worth is $12 million as of 2026. Her wealth reflects over three decades of consistent work across television, film, and music, including two landmark TV series and numerous film credits.
Her income comes from acting roles in both network television and independent film, as well as her music albums, live performances, and endorsements. Her early busking days in Toronto subway stations contrast sharply with a career that grew into sold-out live residencies in New York City.
She is also fluent in five languages, an asset that has contributed to international roles such as the Paris-shot series Jo with Jean Reno.
Jill Hennessy Social Media
Jill Hennessy is active on Instagram under the handle @jillhennessyofficial, where she shares updates about her music, acting projects, and personal moments.
She maintains a presence across social media platforms, connecting with fans from her Law & Order and Crossing Jordan years as well as followers of her music. Her IMDb profile lists her full acting filmography across more than 55 credited roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jill Hennessy’s net worth?
Jill Hennessy’s estimated net worth is $12 million as of 2026. Her fortune comes from her acting career, two music albums, and decades of consistent work in television and film.
How old is Jill Hennessy?
Jill Hennessy is 57 years old as of June 28, 2026. She was born on November 25, 1968, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Who is Jill Hennessy married to?
Jill Hennessy is married to Paolo Mastropietro, an actor, since October 1, 2000. The couple has two sons together.
What is Jill Hennessy famous for?
Jill Hennessy is best known for playing ADA Claire Kincaid on Law & Order (1993-1996) and Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh on Crossing Jordan (2001-2007).
Where was Jill Hennessy born?
Jill Hennessy was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and grew up across multiple Canadian cities before eventually settling in New York.
What albums has Jill Hennessy released?
Jill Hennessy released two albums as a singer-songwriter: Ghost in My Head (June 2009) and I Do (October 2015). She wrote all the music and lyrics on both records.
The Bottom Line
Jill Hennessy played ADA Claire Kincaid on Law & Order for three seasons starting in 1993 and then led Crossing Jordan as Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh for six seasons from 2001 to 2007. In 2007, she received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, recognizing both her acting and music careers.
Her background spans improvisational comedy at Second City Toronto, busking on Toronto’s streets, Broadway, and internationally filmed television in Paris. She speaks five languages and released two independent albums as a singer-songwriter.
As of 2026, Jill completed a sold-out residency at City Vineyard in New York City and continues working across television and music. We hope you enjoyed reading about Jill Hennessy. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!