Jennifer Esposito

Early life

Esposito was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City and is of Italian descent. She was raised on Staten Island in Bulls Head and is a graduate of Moore Catholic High School.

Career

Esposito made her first television appearance in Law & Order in 1996. She then joined the cast of Spin City, where she appeared for two seasons. She also appeared in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. One of her more notable roles was as "Ruby" in Spike Lee's Summer of Sam in 1999, which was set against the late 1970s backdrop of the Son of Sam murders. Esposito's next films included Dracula 2000, The Master of Disguise, the 2004 comedy Taxi, and the Academy Award-winning film Crash, in which she played Don Cheadle's partner and romantic interest, Ria.

Esposito joined Jon Favreau, Stephen Dorff, Luis Guzmán, and Barry Pepper for Dinner for Five season 3, episode 7, on May 21, 2004. Esposito has made television appearances on the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Rescue Me, and Mercy. She was a regular cast member on Related and Samantha Who? Esposito joined the cast of the CBS drama Blue Bloods in 2010, playing the role of Detective Jackie Curatola, the partner of Detective Danny Reagan (played by Donnie Wahlberg). In the third season Esposito was diagnosed with celiac disease and, after collapsing on set, Esposito informed CBS that her condition would limit her availability to work on the series. Rather than work around her limited schedule, Blue Bloods producers chose to write her character out of the series in 2012.

In 2013, she launched Jennifer's Way Bakery in Manhattan's West Village, which only serves celiac-safe food. In 2014 she joined the NBC series Taxi Brooklyn. On April 22, 2014, Da Capo Lifelong Books published Esposito's first book Jennifer's Way, a detailed look into her personal struggle with celiac disease before and after she was diagnosed and the things she did to survive. The book made The New York Times Best Seller List on July 6, 2014. In 2015, Esposito played Calista Raines in the ABC drama series Mistresses, and it was reported that she would be a cast member on the CBS pilot Taxi-22, whose main character would be played by John Leguizamo. She played Dominic West's sister in the Showtime series The Affair for six episodes.

Esposito became the brand ambassador for Eclair Naturals also in 2015, a gluten- and GMO-free vegan body and skin care line available in Rite Aid stores across the United States. In 2016, it was announced that Esposito would join the cast of NCIS as Special Agent Alexandra "Alex" Quinn, executive producer Gary Glasberg noting, "We couldn't be happier to have Jennifer Esposito joining us for season 14. She embodies everything that we hoped for in the character of Quinn and we can't wait to have her come be a part of our team." In June 2017, it was announced that this would be her only season. Esposito appeared on the September 10, 2016, episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?, where she said her doctor had her hospitalized in a psychiatric ward. She said the hospitalization happened during the time she was an actress on the show *Samantha Who? *

In 2019, she joined the cast of The Boys, an Amazon Prime Exclusive. In August, she was set to play a recurring role in the Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens series on Comedy Central.

In February 2020, it was announced that Esposito had joined the cast of the Netflix series Inventing Anna created by Shonda Rhimes in the role of Talia Mallay. However, this role was ultimately played by Marika Domińczyk.

In 2023, Esposito wrote, directed, and starred in the film Fresh Kills playing the mother of two daughters in a coming-of-age story centered in the world of an organized crime family.

Personal life

Esposito married actor Bradley Cooper on December 30, 2006. In May 2007, they filed for divorce, which was finalized that November.

In 2009, Esposito became engaged to Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis. The couple separated in August 2010.

In May 2014, Esposito announced her engagement to British model Louis Dowler. They married on November 16, 2014, in New York City. It was reported in March 2016 that Esposito had filed for divorce from Dowler.

In 2020, Esposito married Jesper Vesterstrøm.

In October 2011, Esposito revealed that she had celiac disease. She started a newsletter on Substack in 2025.

Filmography

Film

Television

Web

References

References

1. (June 30, 2023). "SPOTLIGHT July 2023: Jennifer Esposito, Actress, Baker, Teacher, Director of FRESH KILLS". [[Alliance of Women Film Journalists]].
2. Berg, S.Z.. (September 25, 2012). "Jennifer Esposito Takes on a New Leading Role: Celiac Advocate". Huffington Post.
3. "Women Of Staten Island". Staten Island History.
4. "Dinner For Five".
5. Dinner For Five. (18 July 2012). "Dinner For Five S03E07 - Stephan Dorff, Jennifer Esposito, Luis Guzman, Barry Pepper".
6. Dinner For Five. (12 September 2015). "Dinner For Five S03E07 - Stephan Dorff, Jennifer Esposito, Luis Guzman, Barry Pepper".
7. Dinner For Five. (20 September 2015). "Dinner For Five Season 3 Episode 7 - Stephan Dorff, Jennifer Esposito, Luis Guzman, Barry Pepper".
8. (20 November 2012). "Blue Bloods Actress Jennifer Esposito Still Angry About Suspension From Work".
9. (18 November 2012). "Jennifer Esposito: 'Blue Bloods Dismissal Makes Me Sick'".
10. Gostin, Nicki. (21 May 2014). "Jennifer Esposito: Society doesn't get me - Fox News". [[Fox News]].
11. (28 October 2011). "Jennifer Esposito Opening A Bakery".
12. (May 2, 2014). "Blue Bloods' Jennifer Esposito is engaged, talks celiac disease". [[Los Angeles Times]].
13. (28 February 2014). "Jennifer Esposito's celiac story".
14. (12 May 2014). "Did Jennifer Esposito Trash Her Ex Bradley Cooper? - Celebuzz". [[Celebuzz]].
15. "Jennifer's Way - Learn to live again...gluten free".
16. "JennifersWayJE".
17. (13 March 2013). "Jennifer Esposito Opens Celiac-friendly Cafe".
18. (27 May 2016). "Jennifer Esposito Reportedly Relocating To Denmark Amid Legal Issues".
19. "Jennifer's Way Bakery: The Celiac Standard - Shipping Nationwide". Living Free.
20. The Meredith Vieira Show. (30 December 2014). "Jennifer Esposito's Gluten-Free, Vegan Bakery - Jennifer's Way! - The Meredith Vieira Show".
21. TODAY. (24 January 2017). "'NCIS' Star Jennifer Esposito's Lentil Sweet Potato Kale Stew - TODAY".
22. Elavsky, Cindy. (15 September 2014). "Celebrity Extra". [[King Features]].
23. "Science Books - Best Sellers - July 6, 2014 - The New York Times". The New York Times.
24. "Jennifer's Way - Learn to Live Again...Gluten Free".
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28. "Fall TV pilots 2015: Full list". Entertsinment Weekly.
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30. (25 October 2015). "'The Affair' Season 2, Episode 4: A Bad Day for Everyone".
31. BUILD Series. (24 January 2017). "Jennifer Esposito Talks About Her Love For "The Affair" And Landing Her Role".
32. "Jennifer's Story".
33. "Eclair Naturals - Find A Retailer".
34. (14 March 2013). "Jennifer Esposito Scours Beauty Product Labels For Gluten Ingredients".
35. CBSWatchMag. (20 September 2016). "Jennifer Esposito Chats NCIS with Watch!".
36. BUILD Series. (24 January 2017). "Jennifer Esposito Discusses Her Roles On "NCIS" And "The Affair"".
37. "'NCIS' adds Jennifer Esposito, promotes Duane Henry".
38. "Jennifer Esposito Joins NCIS As Special Agent Alexandra "Alex" Quinn - CBS.com".
39. Wagmeister, Elizabeth. (11 July 2016). "Jennifer Esposito Joins 'NCIS' as Series Regular".
40. Gelman, Vlada. (9 June 2017). "NCIS: Jennifer Esposito to Exit".
41. OWN. (10 September 2016). "Actress Jennifer Esposito on Battling Celiac Disease in a Psych Ward - Where Are They Now - OWN".
42. "WATCH: Jennifer Esposito on How a Terrifying Medical Ordeal Escalated from Losing Her Eyelashes to Landing in Psychiatric Care".
43. (9 September 2016). "Jennifer Esposito's Psych Ward Experience Is Truly Scary".
44. Petski, Denise. (14 August 2019). "'Awkwafina': Jennifer Esposito To Recur On Comedy Central Series".
45. (5 February 2020). "Jennifer Esposito Joins Shonda Rhimes' Netflix Series 'Inventing Anna'".
46. Jordan, Julie. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070107045539/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20006812,00.html Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Esposito Marry], ''People'', January 4, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
47. (13 May 2014). "Jennifer Esposito Addresses Speculation Over Branding Ex-Husband Bradley Cooper A "Master Manipulator"". [[Contactmusic.com]].
48. Fromm, Emily. [https://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-esposito-bradley-cooper-split/ Jennifer Esposito, Bradley Cooper Split], ''People'', May 2, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
49. Reardanz, Karen. (2007-08-28). "Daily Dish : Esposito/Cooper Marriage Dissolved". [[San Francisco Chronicle]].
50. (October 11, 2009). "Mark Philippoussis engaged to Jennifer Esposito". [[The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney).
51. (August 31, 2010). "Did Mark Philippoussis and Jennifer Esposito call off their engagement?". Popsugar.com.au.
52. Joyce Eng. "Jennifer Esposito Engaged to Mark Philippoussis". TVGuide.com.
53. (2 May 2014). "'Blue Bloods'{{'}} Jennifer Esposito is engaged, talks celiac disease".
54. "Bradley Cooper dissed as 'master manipulator' by ex-wife Jennifer Esposito?". [[msn.com]].
55. The Meredith Vieira Show. (30 December 2014). "Jennifer Esposito On Her Wedding Day Dilemma! - The Meredith Vieira Show".
56. (November 18, 2014). "Jennifer Esposito Is Married! Actress Weds Love Louis Dowler".
57. (27 May 2016). "Jennifer Esposito reportedly skips town amid $43 million lawsuit". [[Fox News]].
58. "Jennifer Esposito Won't Be Back For Season 4 of 'The Affair'".
59. "Wedding Pics! Jennifer Esposito Marries Jesper Vesterstrøm".
60. (2 May 2014). "'Blue Bloods'{{'}} Jennifer Esposito is engaged, talks celiac disease".
61. Katie Couric. (2 May 2014). "Jennifer Esposito's Battle With Celiac Disease".
62. "Jennifer Esposito's Celiac Story".
63. Esposito, Jennifer. "A Rebellious Life with Jen Esposito {{!}} Jennifer Esposito {{!}} Substack".