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Shoshannah Stern

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shoshannah Stern
Stern in 2016
Born (1980-07-03) July 3, 1980 (age 44)
Occupation(s)Actress, writer
Spouse
Ricky Mitchell
(m. 2012)
Children1
RelativesLouise Stern (sister)
Brendan Stern (brother)

Shoshannah Stern (born July 3, 1980) is an American actress and writer.

Life and career

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She was born in Walnut Creek, California, into an observant Jewish and fourth-generation deaf family,[1] the daughter of Ron Stern and Hedy Marilyn Stern (née Udkovich), and the sister of writer and artist Louise Stern and former Gallaudet Men's Basketball Coach and current political scientist Brendan Stern.[2] Both of her grandmothers are Holocaust survivors. Her hometown is Fremont, California, where she attended the California School for the Deaf, Fremont.

Stern's first language is American Sign Language. She is also able to read lips and speak English without an interpreter. She attended Gallaudet University, the only liberal arts college for the deaf in the world.[3]

She married her husband, Ricky Mitchell, on June 3, 2012, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their daughter was born in February 2015. She currently resides with him in Hollywood, California.

Stern got her first regular series role as Holly Brodeen, a member of an elite government anti-terrorist task force in ABC's Threat Matrix. The role was created for her by the show's producers after a director who had worked with her on The Division recommended her.[4] She had a recurring role in Showtime's Weeds (as Megan Beals-Botwin) and was also on ER, Providence and Cold Case. She played Bonnie Richmond in the CBS post-apocalyptic drama Jericho. She had a recurring role in Season 3 of Fox's Lie to Me.[5]

Stern appeared with Matthew Broderick in the film The Last Shot and starred in the film Adventures of Power. She also appeared in the popular music video "Yes We Can", written by will.i.am for the Barack Obama campaign.

Her 2020 role on Grey's Anatomy is the first recurring deaf doctor role on a prime time television network show.[6]

She also played the recurring character Eileen Leahy on the CW show Supernatural.

She is also set to write the episode "Tuklo" of the Hawkeye spin-off series Echo, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Alaqua Cox.

In 2025, Stern made her directorial debut with Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, a documentary revolving around actress Marlee Matlin, which will have its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.[7][8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Auteur Theory Founders' Day girl
2003 Justice First patron
2004 The Last Shot Steven's girlfriend
2008 Adventures of Power Annie
2010 The Hammer Kristi Jones
2023 Under the Boardwalk Shelly Voice
2023 The Magnificent Meyersons Susie Meyerson
2025 Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore Director, producer

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Off Centre Rebecca Episode: "Hear No Evil, See No Package"
Providence Renee Episode: "Great Expectations"
Boston Public Episode: "Chapter Fifty"
2003 ER Rosemary Episode: "A Little Help From My Friends"
The Division Episode: "Testimonial"
2003–2004 Threat Matrix Holly Brodeen Series regular (6 episodes)
2005–2006, 2012 Weeds Megan Graves Main role (14 episodes)
2006–2008 Jericho Bonnie Richmond Main role (18 episodes)
2008 Cold Case Leah O'Rafferty Episode: "Andy in C Minor"
Sweet Nothing in My Ear Valerie Park TV film
2010–2011 Lie to Me Sarah 3 episodes
2015–2018 Another Period Helen Keller 2 episodes
2016–2020 Supernatural Eileen Leahy Recurring role (7 episodes)
2017 Fridays Kate
2018–2019 This Close Kate Main role (14 episodes) (also co-creator)
2020 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Lauren Riley 2 episodes
2024 Echo Writer (1 episode); Disney+ series

Stage

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Deaf West Theatre

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California School for the Deaf Theatre Program

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References

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  1. ^ Miller, Gerri (March–April 2007). "Signing Up for Hollywood". JVibe. 3 (2). Jewish Family & Life: 30–31. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  2. ^ Stern, Brendan. "About". Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  3. ^ "TV.com Shoshannah Stern Bio". Archived from the original on 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
  4. ^ "Shoshannah Stern, Threat Matrix", Jewsweek, September 24, 2003. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  5. ^ Ausiello, Michael and Patrick, Andy (July 21, 2010). "Exclusive: Jericho grad joins Lie to Me", The Ausiello Files. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  6. ^ Roffman, Marisa (2020-02-12). "Krista Vernoff and Shoshannah Stern Break Down Bringing the First deaf Doctor to 'Grey's Anatomy'". Variety. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  7. ^ Ramos Bechara, Diego (August 28, 2024). "PBS' 'American Masters' Sets Documentary on Marlee Matlin's Life With ASL as Primary Language (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  8. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). "Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
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