You might not know her name outright, but her face has been one of the most recognizable faces in TV history. That’s because of her role in the criminal TV drama Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Detective Alexandra Eames. The 52-year old actress actually did that role for 10 years from 2001 until 2011. While it may be her biggest role to date, she’s also had other major roles including Shirley Bellinger in Oz and as Jacqueline Roa in How to Get Away with Murder. This actress also has a few projects underway. As much as Erbe has been around, there are probably plenty of things you didn’t know about her. Here are 10 things to get you started.
1. She’s a drama school graduate.
Not to say that her talents weren’t all natural, but Erbe actually graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She’s not the only one that’s done in Hollywood. In fact, many actors have gone through some sort of acting program to hone their craft.
2. She was pregnant in real life during taping.
While she was doing Law & Order: Criminal Intent, she managed to stay working while she was pregnant by turning her pregnancy into a story. Erbe’s role, Detective Eames, portrayed that she was being a surrogate mother for her sister.
3. She’s an ensemble member.
She’s actually a member of two separate ensembles. The first one is based in Chicago and was co-founded by her ex-husband, Terry Kinney. That ensemble is called the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. The other ensemble is based in New York City and is called the Atlantic Theater Company. We’re not sure if she’s active in either ensemble.
4. She had a stalker.
A fan was arrested in 2017 for stalking and harassing Erbe and her family. The judge ordered 37-year old Charles Nagel to a five-year probation in New York for that reason. As creepy as that may sound, it almost seemed like a Criminal Intent episode. We’re wondering if Erbe felt the same, and if she employed a few tactics she learned from the show.
5. She’s a mom of two.
While being married to Terry Kinney, Erbe had two children. She had her first child, her daughter Maeve Elsbeth Erbe Kinney in 1995. Her son followed eight years later in 2003. His name is Carson Lincoln Kinney. Maeve is now in her twenties while Carson is in his teens.
6. She was a Little Red Hen.
Erbe decided to pursue acting after playing the role of the Little Red Hen in her kindergarten production of Chicken Little. Although that may seem like ages ago, some people just know from such a young age what they’re going to pursue in life. Everything Erbe did in her life was to work towards that goal.
7. She was once Stella.
Back when she was actively during stage plays for the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, she starred as Stella in a 1997 adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. She played Stella alongside Gary Sinise, who played Stanley. John C. Reilly was also part of that ensemble as he portrayed the role of Mitch.
8. She’s a Tony nominee.
Many talented actors go through Hollywood without a single ounce of recognition. Thank goodness that Erbe’s talents were at least recognized on stage as she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress back in 1991. She didn’t win nor was this repeated again, but at least she has a nomination under her belt.
9. She’s almost 54 years old.
She may not look it, but Erbe is actually turning 54 this year. She looks quite young for her age, and it can be due to her signature look with her straight blonde hair just falling right on the top of her shoulders.
10. She’s been acting since 1989.
Her first acting credit came in 1989, and Erbe really hasn’t stopped since. Although she only has 43 credits to her name, she’s been nonstop and has had steady jobs throughout her career. She doesn’t seem to be on the path of stopping, as she’s got a couple of project in production stages currently. She’s doing both film and TV at the same time, so keep an eye out for Erbe.
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