| Birth place | Walnut Creek, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Relatives | Louise Stern (sister) |
| Occupation | Actress, writer |
Shoshannah Stern is an American actress and writer.
Life and career
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]
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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6][7]
Filmography
Film
| 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
| 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
Deaf West Theatre
- Open Window .... Susan (directed by Eric Simonson)
- Children of a Lesser God .... Sarah (directed by Joe Giamalva)
California School for the Deaf Theatre Program
- Romeo and Juliet .... Juliet (directed by Julianna Fjeld)
- Aladdin .... Dancer (directed by CJ Jones)
- The Cat and the Canary .... Annabelle (directed by CJ Jones)
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum .... Gymnasia (directed by CJ Jones)
- Anne of Green Gables .... Anne (directed by Charles Katz)
References
- ^ Miller, Gerri (March–April 2007). "Signing Up for Hollywood". JVibe. 3 (2): 30–31. Jewish Family & Life. Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
- ^ Stern, Brendan. "About". Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "Shoshannah Stern, Threat Matrix", Jewsweek, September 24, 2003. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael and Patrick, Andy (July 21, 2010). "Exclusive: Jericho grad joins Lie to Me", The Ausiello Files. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.