Jennifer Carpenter Movies and Career Information

Jennifer Leann Carpenter (born December 7, 1979) is an American actress, known for her roles as Emily Rose in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, as Debra Morgan on Dexter, and as the lead role in the 2008 horror movie Quarantine. Carpenter was born in Louisville, Kentucky where she attended Sacred Heart Academy. She trained at the Walden Theatre Conservatory program, and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. Before graduation she was cast in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. Carpenter first attracted critical attention for her performance in The Exorcism of Emily Rose. She took home the 2006 MTV Movie Award for "Best Frightened Performance," and also received a Hollywood Life Breakthrough Award. She was also named "Breakout Performer" at the 2006 Scream Awards. Carpenter currently plays the role of Debra Morgan in the Showtime television series Dexter which premiered October 1, 2006. Her portrayal of the title character's sister has impressed some critics, with Australian journalist Jack Marx describing her portrayal of "cool and clumsy" Debra as "so perfect that many viewers appear to have mistaken the character's flaws