Jennifer Anne Ehle was born in December in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a city characterized by its humid subtropical climate. She is the daughter of acclaimed English actress Rosemary Harris and American author John Ehle, giving her a unique blend of English and American heritage.
Due to her bicultural background, Ehle was exposed to both American and British cultures from an early age. She pursued her formal education in the performing arts at two esteemed institutions: the North Carolina School of the Arts in the United States and the Central School of Speech and Drama in the United Kingdom.
Ehle began her acting career at a very young age, appearing alongside her mother in a stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire during the 1970s. Her early exposure to the stage laid the foundation for a robust career in theatre and film. In 1991, she made her West End debut in Tartuffe, a performance that earned her the prestigious Ian Charleson Award, recognizing outstanding work by young actors in classical roles.
Her feature film debut came with Paradise Road in 1997. Following this, Ehle appeared in a range of critically acclaimed stage productions and films. On Broadway, she headlined several award-winning plays, exemplifying her versatility and depth as a performer.
Her other notable theatre performances include the 2005 revival of The Philadelphia Story and a powerful role in Shakespeare's classic, Macbeth. In cinema, she was featured in the Indo-American film Before the Rains, CBS's drama The Russell Girl, and the crime drama Pride & Glory.
Ehle earned widespread recognition for her role as a CIA analyst in the critically acclaimed film Zero Dark Thirty. Her striking resemblance to Hollywood icon Meryl Streep has often been a topic of discussion. While fans and media alike have speculated about their similarities, the two actresses are not related; however, they do share mutual respect and friendship.
In 2001, Jennifer Ehle married writer Michael Scott Ryan, and the couple has two children. Known for her grounded nature and adaptability, Ehle brings an insightful perspective to her interviews. She frequently reflects on her own childhood, during which she attended 14 different schools—a formative experience that shaped her adaptability but one she hopes her own children won't need to replicate.
A BAFTA award winner, Ehle is celebrated for her range and skill across both stage and screen. Her ability to transcend roles in theatre and film consistently defies industry expectations. While she grew up speaking with an American accent, her British roles are often noted for their authenticity, and her poise has earned her comparisons to a "quintessential English rose."
Ehle was initially cast as Catelyn Stark in the HBO fantasy television series Game of Thrones, adapted from the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by author George R.R. Martin. She filmed the original pilot episode but later chose to withdraw from the project to prioritize time with her newborn daughter. Michelle Fairley was subsequently cast in the role, which became a defining part of the series' success.
| Birth Date: | 29 Dec, 1969 |
| Age: | 50 yrs |
| Occupations: | Stage actor Film actor Television actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Winston-Salem |
| Education: | Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American actress |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
